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HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL DOME From page lA is amazing.” And there had to be receiv ers on the other end of Ivory’s passes. Senior Kevyn Cooper caught touchdowns from Ivory of 69 and 82 yards. Senior Nick Bass had a first half touchdown grab from starter Joe Scott, and then made two clutch first-down catches during the game winning drive. “It was a great night,” said Ivory. “The best one we’ve ever had.” The best second half, any way. The first half, one to forget for Northside fans. Tucker dominated just about every aspect of the game with the 285 yards, 256 coming from its running game. The Tigers had 12 first downs to four for Northside and returned a fumble for a touchdown. “We just couldn’t stop them,” said Nix. “Obviously we couldn’t do a whole lot moving the ball. It was just one thing after another. But we started over. The guys responded, and I’m glad we did. Everybody stepped it up in the second half, no doubt about it.” If the offensive line had a fire lit under them with Ivory’s return, it also seemed evident that the Eagle defense drew inspiration from the quarterback’s return. The second half was more Northside-like on the defen sive side. The previous three playoff games ended in shut out wins, and Tucker didn’t get on the board in the last two quarters Friday. Nix said it all about adjusting to the “little things,” while some of the players said it was a mat ter of reminding everybody what was at stake. “At halftime, our seniors (told us) how they didn’t like how we played,” said junior defensive lineman Abry Jones. “They told us how, if we lose this was the last game of the season. There’s no more football for them. We decided we were going to pick it up on defense and make sure we give the seniors the state championship they want.” “We made mistakes (in the so; I m ,^ : : Eddie Thomas (99) and Anton Williams tie up a Tigers runner. '., ft fl ;■ .;"i ..fc. .: —J Nick Bass and Tijuan Green struggle to try and pick up a fumble. first half), but we had to play through them. We knew could come out on top,” said senior defensive tackle Eddie Thomas. “Everybody did their job, read our keys. It was a great job, and I’m glad that we won.” Jones, Thomas, Bibbins and even Ivory are all big Eagles, but the game came down to one not so big in stat ure, that being sophomore placekicker Devon Pike. It was a chip-shot field goal of 23 yards that went through with 12 seconds showing in regulation that provided the winning points. Pike said his attention wasn’t so much on his leg, his foot or even his head as he was waiting on both an offsides call on Tucker and a delay on Northside while trying to get set for the kick. His problem area was in his stomach and keeping that pregame hamburger inside. The kick was good, Northside was a winner, the food didn’t make a guest appearance, but Pike said there were still some knots even minutes after the game. “It was one of those things that had to be done,” said Nix. “That was great.” Many, many more stom achs had to be turning, both when the Eagles were down by so much and when the Tucker lead began to shrink and shrink. “Anytime you have a come back like that - it doesn’t matter if it’s the first game or last game - it’s very enlight ening,” said Nix. “It’s just so emotional. I’m happy to be a part of it.” “We put four years into this, and we’re not about to let it slip out of our hands that easily,” said Bibbins. “We were supposed to grab a hold of these guys and not let them go.” Did those Eagles also hear a certain chant going on in one nearby section of the Dome stands, a section close to the end zone where Pike made the winning field goal? That chant was a simple number, “96! 96!” “We’re doing it for Chris Johnson and for the team,” said Thomas. “We owe it to him because we love him so much.” J I ' 'jL Defensive Coordinator Kevin Kinsier maps out adjustments for the Eagles. -*• ' i i* ■* wj/$ w - W \ ' l ■'■ ■*M- , 'i^/ J V/ ‘,'‘ ' '™7 V + "Q- * \y * % ,<■ A# V A Northside defender puts the finishing touches on a tackle. ENI Gary Harmon ENI Gary Harmon SPORTS : BBRn^pj "Ssl JR b v &i&£.'i m~-- — : . ■gßr ' S^t^gm^fe. _ IX JBB___lL Quarterback Joe Scott eyes a receiver. I i _______ ... The Eagles hold their version of a tri-meet. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007 ♦ ENI Gary Harmon ENI/Gary Harmon ENI/Gary Harmon ENI/Gary Harmon