MOULTRIE — After winning back-to-back state Class AAAA championships with 15-0 records, Northside High of Warner Robins moved up to Class AAAAA this season and found itselft in perhaps the most difficult region in the state’s largest classification.

But if there were questions about whether the Eagles could compete in Region 1-AAAAA, they have been answered over the the past 10 weeks.

Northside will bring an 8-1 overall record and a 5-1 region mark to Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium on Friday when it meets Coquitt County in the regular-season finale.

Northside has defeated two defending state champions along the way and its only loss came at the hands of undefeated and top-ranked Lowndes.

The Eagles have clinched the runner-up spot in the region and will play host to the No. 3 team from Region 2 at McConnell-Talbert Stadium next weekend.

And while Colquitt County fans are familiar with the success of Northside over the years, Friday’s game will give them their first opportunity to see the blue, white and orange Eagles up close and personal.

On the visitors sidelines will be Conrad Nix, one of Georgia’s most successful high school coaches.

Nix has coached high school football in Georgia for 26 years, most of them at Northside, and has put up a record of 245 wins and 62 losses.

From 2005-2007, Northside went 44-1, winning two state titles and finishing as the runner-up to Statesboro in 2005.

And Northside is just the seventh Georgia school to post back-to-back 15-0 seasons.

The Eagles lost nine offensive starters from the 2007 Class AAAA state championship team, including All-State players quarterback Marques Ivory, tailback Tijuan Green and receiver Nick Bass.

But much of the loss of those players was overcome when Xavier Bacon transferred in.

All Bacon has done is lead Region 1-AAAAA in rushing.

Through nine games, he has carried 208 times for 1,139 yards and 14 touchdowns.

And he was on his game in last Friday’s big contest between Northside and Warner Robins.

Bacon carried 28 times for 159 yards and scored the Eagles second touchdown in the 14-0 victory over the Demons.

Joe Scott has taken over at quarterback from Ivory and has been solid. He has completed 56-of-117 passes for 722 yards and two touchdowns. He has been intercepted three times.

Bacon also is the team’s top receiver, with 18 catches for 159 yards.

But Northside counts on its defense.

Three Eagles are likely to be named all-state, including big tackle Abry Jones, who commited to Georgia after totaling 78 tackles, including 13 sacks and 15 tackles for loss last season.

Linebacker Eric Fields is one of the best in state, as is cornerback K.J. Morton.

Bacon is in his first season with Northside, but the other seniors are part of a class that has not lost to Warner Robins, winning four straight in the long series.

This groups of seniors is the first never to have lost to Warner Robins and the four victories mark the longest winning for Northside in the series.

PACKERS NOTES: Friday’s game will mark the first meeting between Colquitt County and Northside. … John Michael Harrison continues to lead Region 1-AAAAA in passing with 127 completions in 242 attempts for 1,590 yards and 15 touchdowns. Tift County’s Malcolm Dixon and Valdosta’s Kyle Rowe are tied for second in the region in touchdown passes with 11.

Tyler Brown has completed 25-of-61 passes for 537 yards and four touchdowns. Harrison and Brown have each throw two interceptions.

Quinn Roberson has taken over the region lead in receptions with 32 for 518 yards and five touchdowns. Eric Key is second with 30 catches for 440 yards and eight touchdowns.