By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
YEATESVILLE — Running backs are probably growing weary of seeing Trent Midgette around.
The middle linebacker for the Northside Panthers is off to a sensational start. The senior is racking up over 10 tackles per game. Midgette also has a handful of quarterback sacks and two punt blocks in four games.
Northside coach Keith Boyd said Midgette has been stellar for the Panthers this season.
Midgette plays with a certain tenacity on every play. Though he’s not the most physically imposing force to look at, Midgette more than makes up for that with determination and hard work.
Boyd said Midgette is as good as they come.
Midgette isn’t strictly a force on the defensive side of the ball. He also got the starting nod at an offensive guard spot against North Edgecombe last week.
Midgette said having to play offense and defense throughout an entire game can take its toll.
Midgette, a member of the Boys Scouts who is working toward his eagle, also runs track at Northside. He said learning the proper techniques on the track has helped him on the gridiron.
Midgette said he expects to go both ways the rest of the season.
Instead of just leading by example, Midgette is one of Northside’s vocal leaders. He wants to be sure the younger players know what they’re doing at all times.
So far, Midgette and the Panthers seem headed in the right direction. Northside is off to a 2-2 start, its best start since the 2005 season.
Midgette said team unity has gone a long way this year.
During preseason camp, Midgette thought his team could have a special year.
He attributes much of the team’s success to his head coach.
Midgette and the Panthers want nothing more than to win a conference championship. The Panthers will look to take a step toward a conference title when they play at Plymouth on Friday night. Though the seventh-ranked Vikings (3-1) are the defending state champions, Midgette said Northside will head into Plymouth with confidence.
Win or lose, on the field or in the classroom, Midgette has enjoyed his time at Northside.
What would make it even better is if Midgette can help lead the Panthers to their first winning season in four years.
Right now, Midgette feels like he’s a part of something special.
Surely this gifted player will be able to tackle that one in the near future. After all, he’s tackled everything else so far.
Boyd pleased with Panthers’ progress
By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
YEATESVILLE — The Northside Panthers aren’t where he wants them to be just yet, but third-year coach Keith Boyd is awfully pleased that they are headed in the right direction.
The Panthers, 2-2 for the first time since the 2005 season, are coming off a 28-22 win over North Edgecombe.
Boyd said that winning builds confidence, and he’s hoping to keep the team headed in the right direction.
Boyd believes he’s got a good group of seniors that will help lead the team down the right path. Northside hasn’t experienced a winning season since the Panthers went 12-3 in 2004. In the previous three seasons, Northside went a combined 10-25.
The Panthers dress under 25 players per game, meaning several have to play offense and defense. While some players would complain about that, Boyd said this group is willing to do anything to help the club succeed.
The Panthers, who play in the Atlantic Conference, will look to make it two wins in a row when they play at Plymouth on Friday night. The Vikings (3-1), who were off last week and hail from the Albemarle Conference, are the defending 1A state champions. Though they play in separate conferences, it will count toward conference standings.
Plymouth, ranked seventh in the latest state poll, has won 19 of its last 20 games. Northside hasn’t beaten the Vikings since a 40-6 victory in 2004. Plymouth cruised to a 44-0 win last year, posted a 59-12 victory in 2006 and held on for a 20-19 nod in 2005.
Boyd attributes his team’s early success to putting points on the board. Through four games, this year’s Northside team has already out-produced what the 2006 team did and is just 45 points behind last year’s total.
The Panthers have already racked up 140 points, an average of 35 points per game.
Sophomore quarterback Darrius Murray has been brilliant for the Panthers. Murray, who has blazing quickness, leads the team in touchdowns. Daykuan Mackey, TaMichael Tonge and D.J. Satterthwaite have also contributed positively for the Panthers. Offensive linemen like Seth Boyd and Benji Harrell have helped to open big holes for Northside’s runners.
Northside’s improvement hasn’t gone unnoticed in the community.
Boyd, who enjoyed plenty of success earlier in his career as Northside’s softball coach, puts in countless hours to making his football team be as strong as it can. All that hard work is beginning to pay off.
Seeing the smile on his players and coaches faces following games has lifted Boyd’s spirits.
NORTHSIDE PANTHERS
Football History
Year Record (Coach) PS PA
2008 2-2 (Keith Boyd) 140 103
2007 3-9-0 (Keith Boyd) 185 392
2006 2-9-0 (Keith Boyd) 105 395
2005 5-7-0 (Bing Mitchell) 271 299
2004 12-3-0 (Bing Mitchell) 460 201
2003 5-7-0 (Bing Mitchell) 321 254
2002 0-11-0 (Bing Mitchell) 114 383
2001 3-9-0 (Bing Mitchell) 303 413
2000 13-2-0 (Bing Mitchell) 576 295
1999 7-3-0 (Bing Mitchell) 226 169
1998 7-3-0 (Bing Mitchell) 356 213
1997 10-3-0 (Walt Davis) 410 152
1996 4-6-0 (Walt Davis) 217 187
1995 3-7-0 (Walt Davis) 161 265
1994 5-8-0 (Walt Davis) 279 368
1993 4-6-0 (Walt Davis) 221 179
1992 11-1-0 (Walt Davis) 507 127
1991 10-1-0 (Walt Davis) 480 141
1990 9-2-0 (Walt Davis) 369 112
1989 5-5-0 (Walt Davis) 253 220