One team gets decisive win in latest game of longstanding Warner Robins football rivalry

Six decades of rivalry picked up again under Friday night lights as the Northside Eagles took on the Warner Robins Demons at McConnell-Talbert Stadium last week.

Friday marked the 67th meeting between the two teams with Warner Robins taking the win 34-12.

The showdown that began in 1964 features two schools that sit just over 2 miles from each other.

Sam Said, Northside High School director of football operations, said this rivalry is special.

“It is one of the oldest and most established in the country. The schools are just a couple of miles away from each other and many of the players grew up together,” he said. “The entire city of Warner Robins and surrounding communities get behind the game and really have a lot of fun with it.”

But the rivalry between the Eagles and the Demons is more than just a football game — it’s a celebration of local culture and athletic excellence.

Both teams have achieved significant success in regional and state championships, which only adds to the rivalry’s allure. The games are often marked by close scores and dramatic moments, making each match up a highly anticipated event.

Warner Robins took home state titles in 1976, 1981, 1988, 2004, 2020, and 2021. Northside has won three state titles - 2006, 2007, and 2014.

The Demons, who are under third-year head coach and former Demons player Shane Sams, lead the all-time series 42-25 after Friday night’s win. The teams squared off in six seasons in the playoffs in the 1980s.

The Eagles went into Friday’s game with a 2-0 record after beating Eagles Landing 38-18 in their season opener and inching by Baldwin 13-12 in Week 2.

The Demons went into the rivalry 1-1 following a 45-28 loss to Lee County and a dominating 42-7 win over Fayette County.

Said explained that anyone who has ever been to a Northside-Warner Robins game will tell you about the electricity felt when first pulling up to the stadium.

“I have been a part of several playoff games, two state championship games, and many other rivalry games, but the electricity you feel in this one is different,” he said. “The players, fans, and community are always into it, and it makes for an exciting atmosphere.”

Marvin James, who graduated from Warner Robins High School in 1994 and played offensive lineman for the Demons, said the rivalry is all about tradition.

“So many of the players and coaches have relatives who have been a part of this series so pride takes over,” he said. ”You don’t want to be on the losing side, because the winner and alumni get to brag all season long.”

James, who went on to professionally cover the rivalry with 13WMAZ and now the Georgia High School Sports Association, said he has only missed two games since starting his coverage in 1999.

He said the rivalry truly embodies what Friday night football is all about and said he is proud to be associated with the greats that have come out of the Middle Georgia showdown.

“You come out and root for your team together as a community - the majority of the players won’t play past the high school level. So that makes it even more special, to perform in front of such a crowd,” he said. “So many legends are made from this series. So many great names and Hall of Fame coaches and players have been a part of this rivalry; it makes me proud I was also a part of it.”

This story was originally published September 3, 2024 at 9:29 AM.