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By: Kevin Oberhaus
Northwood: Playoff football was in the air on the edge of I280 in Northwood Stadium. Both crowds were rocking and buzzing with anticipation as the Division 5 Region 18 matchup was about to start. The Northwood Rangers (9-2 TAAC) came out of the gate ready for battle and dominated the 1st quarter of play. But as dominate as they were, mistakes and missed opportunities proved to be the downfall of them.
Northwood took the opening kickoff right down the field helped by a 44 yard scamper by Nicholas Whitmore to the PH 7. After 3 plays the Rangers settled for a field goal try that was promptly blocked by the Patriots. Lucas Rosebrook the gave the ball back to Northwood on a fumble, but the Rangers were unable to score on 4th and goal.
Patrick Henry (9-2 NWOAL) would go nowhere on their 2nd possession and have to punt back to Northwood. The Patriots gained just 16 yards on its first 2 series. This time the Rangers would hit pay dirt on a pass from Russell to Fullenlove of 41 yards for a 7-0 lead.
Facing a 3rd and 14, Bergstedt would reel in a pass for 52 yards to set up PH inside the red zone. A few plays later Gabe Jones hit Nick Gerschutz on a 7 yard pass for the score and a 7-7 tie just into the 2nd quarter.
The Patriots got their offense rolling and would add two more scores before halftime. 11 yard run by Jones and an 11 yard pass from Okuley to Kline after Kline intercepted a Northwood screen pass.
PH would get the ball to start the second half but Northwood forced a punt. Jacob Davenport was back to receive the punt and fumbled it back to the Patriots who grabed the momentum and Rosebrook took the ball in from 1 yard out.
On the next drive for Northwood the QB would fumble and Rosebrook picked it up and ran 22 yards for a 35-7 PH lead. That fumble was the knock out blow as the Patriots would add two more score to enjoy a 49-7 lead shortly into the 4th quarter. Okuley hit Kline on a 49 TD yard pass and Jones ran for a 1 yard TD.
With the JV squad in, Northwood would add 3 late scores. A 64 yard pass from Russell to Perkins, a 2 yard Whitmore run and a 55 yard Kretz run.
Northwood would end up outgaining the Patriots 353 to 310.
The victory sets up an NWOAL rematch with Liberty Center (11-0) in the R18 semifinals next Friday at a site yet to be determined.
Patrick Henry 0 21 21 7 -- 49
Northwood 7 0 0 0 -- 28
First Quarter
NWD -- Fullenlove 42 pass from Russell (Reighard kick)
Second Quarter
PH -- Gerschutz 8 pass from Jones (Gerschutz kick)
PH -- Jones 11 run (Gerschutz kick)
PH -- Kline 11 pass from Okuley (Gerschutz kick)
Third Quarter
PH -- Rosebrook 1 run (Gerschutz kick)
PH -- Rosebrook 22 fumble return (Gerschutz kick)
PH -- Kline 49 pass from Okuley (Gerschutz kick
Fourth Quarter
PH -- Jones 1 run (Gerschutz kick(
NWD -- Perkins 64 pass from Russell (Reighard kick)
NWD -- Whitmore 2 run (Reighard kick)
NWD -- Kretz 55 run (Reighard kick)
PH NWD
First Downs 13 5
Rushes-yards 46-155 31-156
Passing Yards 155 197
Comp-Att-Int 7-10-0 7-15-1
Fumbles-Lost 5-1 3-2
Penalties-Yards 2-16 1-5
individual statistics
rushing -- Patrick Henry, Jones 16-66, Rosebrook 14-59, Okuley 12-19, Cole 2-10, Andonian 2-1. Northwood, Russell 10-5, Perkins 5-37, Fullenlove 3-2, Whitmore 9-59, Lord 2-(-1), Keefer 1-(-1), Kertz 1-55.
passing -- Patrick Henry, Okuley 6-9-0-142, Jones 1-1-0-8. Northwood, Perkins 7-15-1-197.
receiving -- Patrick Henry, Kline 4-91, Bergstedt 2-56, Gerschutz 1-8. Northwood, Perkins 4-114, Fullenlove 3-83.
