By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
If you thought this year’s Anchor Bowl lacked the luster of years past you thought wrong., Even though both Northside and Southside are in the midst of a down year, this Friday’s Bowl battle in Chocowinty has implications that reach further than mere county pride.
Yes, when you tally both the teams’ record you get a combined 2-17 record, and that’s with the Panthers kicking in two wins. But aside from taking home the coveted anchor, this year’s winner will also take home a trip to playoffs.
While it’s astonishing that a team with one win might make the state playoffs, it’s also very possilble.
If the 0-9 (0-6) Seahawks can find a way to top the Panthers (2-8, 1-5), then Southside would grab the third playoff spot from the Atlantic Conference. A Southside win would mean both teams would finish the season with a conference record of 1-6, but the Seahawks would hold the edge in the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Both Panthers’ coach Keith Boyd and Seahawks’ skipper David Hines are relatively new to the Anchor Bowl expereince and are seeking their first Bowl victory.
Boyd is only in his second year with Northside, and lost his rookie Anchor Bowl game 27-8, while Hines is in his first year with the Seahawks.
Both coaches acknowleged the importance of bringing home the anchor not just for themselves, but for their respective communities.
For Hines, the Anchor Bowl is something that he has been anticipating since he first took over the Seahawks’ program.
Hines also said a win would be especially sweet for his seniors.
For Hines and the Seahawks, retaining the Anchor will be no simple task. The Panthers have played better than their 2-8 record would indicate. Northside put up strong fights against area foes Plymouth, Williamston and Roanoke, but Northside could not sustain its strong play long enough.
The Panthers have been plauged all season by penalaties that always seem to come at the worst time, and also have a nack for costly turnovers.
Boyd said the key to an Anchor Bowl victory lies within his team’s ability to execute properly.
Boyd also said it is important for his team to not take its opponent lightly.
Hines said for his team to walk away with a win the Panthers have to control the tackle box and make Northside abandon its game plan.
Recent history suggests that Southside will walk away with a heavy trophy, but with its recent struggles the Anchor is up for grabs.
The Anchor Bowl has been played since 1989, and was fought between Washington and Northside. In 2001 Southside stepped in for Washington, and while it lost its first crack at the Anchor, the Seahawks have not lost since peacing together a 5-1 Bowl record.
Anchor Bowl records
Individual
Most yards rushing:
184 Jerome Bailey, Northside 1990
Most yards passing:
207 Zack Courson, Washington 1997
Most passes:
27 Brandon Alligood, Washington 1992
Most completions:
15 David Credle, Northside 1992
Most receptions:
9 Terrance Copper, Washington 1997
Most points scored:
22 Jerome Bailey, Northside 1990
Longest run:
90 Phonzie Gibbs, Washington 1999
Longest touchdown run:
90 Phonzie Gibbs, Washington 1999
Longest pass:
84 Brandon Alligood, Washington 1993
Longest touchdown pass:
84 Brandon Alligood, Washington 1993
Longest touchdown reception:
Allan Griffin 84, Washington 1993
Longest field goal:
23 Derek Curtis, Washington 1989
Longest interception return for score:
74 Robert Taylor, Washington 1996
Longest fumble return for score:
31 Kondwani Lodge, Washington 1996
Longest kickoff return:
95 Derrick Leathers, Northside 1998
Statistics from 1989 to 1992 were archived by Mo Krochmal, statistics from 1993 to 2003 were archived by Lawrence Keech.