LOOK: Sipsey Clinches Playoff Spot With Win Over Rival Northside

Second-year Sipsey Valley head coach Joey Milligan led his Bears team to its second-straight playoff birth Friday with a 49-14 win over the visiting Northside Rams. It marked the Bears' first victory over the Rams since 2011. (Photo gallery below)

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The tone of the game was set by halftime as the Bears offense and special teams combined for a 35-0 lead on a brisk evening in Buhl, Ala. Junior quarterback LJ Cormier continued to show his playmaking ability he's been known for in 2023 with a rushing score in the second quarter.

Before halftime, fellow Sipsey junior Ayden Abernathy scored his first of two rushing scores with senior Carter Renn's two-point conversion making up for a missed field goal.

It was announced to the crowd in the second half that Sipsey senior Wyatt Bailey had secured his second-straight season with over 1,000 receiving yards. He collected three touchdowns on the night, all in the first half, with one coming from a dazzling 50-plus yard punt return.

After the Bears put together a 49-0 lead at home, the Rams capitalized on mistakes to secure two scores in the fourth quarter, one coming with less than two minutes of the game.

The all-time record for the rivalry that started with Sipsey Valley's inception now sits at 2-12 in favor of the Rams.

Coming up

While Friday was the end of the road for Northside (4-6) in 2023, Sipsey (6-4) is set to make the three-hour trip south for a first-round 4A playoff matchup with Andalusia (9-1) on November 10.

Tide 100.9 | WTBC 1230 AM's coverage of the 2023 high school football season is proudly presented by Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers. Photo gallery below

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