Ordinarily it’s at least somewhat positive to hold the advantage in time of possession. Not for Houston County.

The Bears, in losing to the Eagles 42-7, held the ball for about four of the first five minutes. The problem: In that minute or so Northside (4-0 overall, 2-0 in Region 1-AAAAA) scored twice.

After picking up a first down on its first possession Houston County (3-2, 0-2) stalled. It attempted a punt on fourth down but it Darnell Slaton blocked it. Chris Vickers picked it up and carried it to the one-yard line. Shaquille O’Neil scored on the first play from there.

Devon Pike, who before the half was sidelined with an injury, planted the first kickoff in the endzone. He did likewise with the second. The Bears then started on their own 20 again. They ran two plays before fumbling on the third. Earl Billingsley recovered it on the 22. Eagles quarterback Briar Van Brunt, looking more like a fullback punishing the defense, ran it to the 9. O’Neil ran it to the 5, then the 2 and then into the endzone.

Pike made both of those PATs to put Northside up 14-0 with 7:16 showing on the clock.

Houston County to its credit showed no signs of frustration. Instead, after both teams had taken a possession and gained some yardage, it put together a nine-play drive and scored early in the second quarter. The drive started on their own 34, included mixing in the pass and run as well as picking up three first downs along the way. Robert Williams finished it off from two yards out. Hunter Heck made the extra point to cut the lead in half.

The Eagles, however – aided by O’Neil’s 34 yards on the ensuing kickoff – answered that with a score. O’Neil carried it in from three yards out. The PAT by Dillon Mixon made it 21-7, which is where it stood at the half.

The Bears actually had more first downs – six to five - and total yardage – 127 to 115 - than Northside at the break.

But that was as far as any bragging rights – time of possession or other - would go.

The Eagles, who won the coin toss but deferred, came out and raced 50 yards to start the third. O’Neil scored his fourth touchdown (didn’t see much action following), Mixon was perfect and they led 28-7.

Then, early in the fourth and with Dan Masteller at quarterback and Renis Perry joining him in the backfield, they scored again. The two hooked up for a touchdown to make it 35-7 and then Masteller tossed another TD pass to Cartell Brooks. Mixon made it 42-7 with 7:16 to play.

The two traded some possessions – and got some new faces in – from there until the clock ran out.