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Senior Jamie Corprew went airborne in the first half against East Bladen. (Steve Barnes/Washington Daily News)

The state high school football playoffs will continue next week without any Beaufort County teams after 11^th seeded East Bladen ended #5 Northside’s season with a 25-18 second round victory Friday night at Bing Mitchell Field.

The Panthers (8-3) drew first blood in the hard-fought battle after senior linebacker Gus Vansant’s fumble recovery on the Eagles (7-5) second play put Northside in business at the East Bladen 35 yard line.

Malachi Moore capped the scoring drive with an eight yard run for an early 6-0 Northside lead.

The Eagles responded with a seven yard touchdown run on fourth down on the next possession to tie the score at six.

East Bladen was driving again early in the second quarter, but the Panther defense held on fourth down from their own 30.

Senior Jamie Corprew carried four straight times to the Eagles 28, then Moore covered the final distance for a 12-6 Northside lead with 4:28 left in the first half.

It seemed the Panthers would take that lead into halftime, but East Bladen struck on a 44-yard pass to the one yard line, then scored on the next play to take a 13-12 advantage into the break.

“They killed us with a couple of big plays and that was one of them,” coach Keith Boyd said. “They were a little bigger and stronger than we were up front, but we kept fighting until the end.”

Moore ran 35 yards on consecutive carries late in the third quarter, then Corprew scored from six yards out to put the Panthers back on top, 18-13 with 11:54 to play.

East Bladen answered with a 26 yard pass to the Panthers 19 and scored from a yard out three plays later for a 19-18 advantage, forced Northside to punt, then marched 73 yards in five minutes to set the final 25-18 margin.

“I’m disappoint4ed, but really proud of my 10 seniors,” Boyd said. “They grew into positive leaders and became a special group this year. I will miss them.”

Corprew rushed for a team-high 166 yards on 26 carries, while Moore added 74 yards on six attempts.

Vansant led the Northside defense with 11 tackles.