As the adage goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Southside football started off its season Monday evening at North Duplin experiencing a bit of change. Most of that change occurred on the offensive side of things as the Seahawks are aiming as high as they did last season, despite the loss of elite running backs Lawrence Brown and Matt Baxter, in addition to losses on the offensive line.

Of course, there’s a good bit of continuity on the defensive side of the ball. There are newer faces, but senior linebacker Hunter Sparks is back to lead the defense.

As important as the offense’s seniors were to Southside reaching the eastern regional final a year ago, it was the Seahawks’ defense that was able to swing momentum time and again during the playoffs. After giving up four first-half touchdowns to Northampton County, Sparks and company kept the opposition off the board in the second half to set the table to a second-round win.

The defense changed the tide in the third round, too. Southside found itself trailing North Edgecombe 16-0 before its offense ever stepped on the field. The defense forced turnovers that were pivotal in that they erased big plays from its opponent.

Southside showed its ability to do just that in its season-opening win over North Duplin. The hosting Rebels, also set to receive the opening kickoff in the third, were poised to score the go-ahead touchdown in the waning moments of the second quarter. That was until one of their running backs fumbled the ball right into Sparks’ hands.

That defensive stand cut off what could have been a big swing in momentum for North Duplin. Southside’s defense rolled into the second half by forcing the Rebels three-and-out on their first three possessions.

Much like they did in last year’s playoff run, the Seahawks’ offense fed off of the defense’s energy. After North Duplin’s first series of the second half stalled out, Joe Myers rumbled 55 yards for a touchdown on Southside’s first possession of the second half.

Schemes and plays will adjust as a team’s personnel changes. However, the Seahawks will never shy away from fundamental mindsets like the importance of making plays on defense. It’s something that has proven fruitful in the past and — as Monday showed — can continue to help drive success.