The Northside-Columbus High School Patriots, the Bainbridge High School Bearcats’ Region 1-AAAAA opponent Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Columbus’ Memorial Stadium, feature a wide-open offensive attack.

Leading the Patriots’ running game are senior Brady Pitts, who has 57 carries for 452 yards, and senior Kendrick Smith, who has 76 carries for 354 yards.

“Going into the season, we knew our running back situation should be pretty strong,” Northside head coach Paul Cates said.

The Patriots’ offensive line is anchored by senior Clayton McCullars. Senior defensive lineman James Young puts pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and their top tackler on defense is senior linebacker Tyler Pouliot.

The Patriots typically use an eight-man defensive front.

Bainbridge coach Ed Pilcher is impressed with the aggressiveness of the Patriots’ defense.

“Northside-Columbus has some quick defensive linemen and linebackers who will really come up and put pressure on you,” Pilcher said. “We will have to be up for the challenge, and I am confident that we will.”

A victory would even the Bearcats’ region record at 2-2.