On a mild but rainy Friday evening, the Northmor Golden Knights welcomed the Lucas Cubs to their home field to put a wrap on the non-conference portion of their 2018 football schedule.

Both teams entered the contest at a perfect 2-0, but it would be the hosting Knights that remained undefeated after handing the Cubs a 36-16 loss.

The game began with Northmor receiving a squib kick from the visitors to start their first possession of the contest on their own 39-yard line. The Golden Knights’ first drive consumed a large portion of the clock and on the 12th play, running back Conor Becker punched in a one-yard score to put Northmor up and with the Nate Ruhl extra-point, it was 7-0 in favor of the home team.

Lucas’ first possession began at their own 30-yard line and would see the Cubs drive deep into Knights’ territory, all the way down to the four-yard line. However, after stout defense from the black and gold, the visitors would be unable to convert on fourth and goal, leading to a turnover on downs. Luckily though for Lucas, Northmor’s offense could not get much going which led to a three and out. On the punt attempt, the snap would sail high and out of the back of the endzone to put the Cubs on the board via a safety. As the first quarter came to a conclusion, it was 7-2 in favor of Northmor.

On the ensuing possession, the Golden Knights would record their first of two interceptions, giving them solid field position at their own 40. It would not take long for the home squad to get on the board again as Hunter Mariotti dropped back and found Becker running his route, making the grab and taking it 50 yards for the score. Another Ruhl extra-point and Northmor was up by a dozen at 14-2.

Lucas running back Jeb Grover rambled-off a 50-yard touchdown run and converted the two-point conversion to put the Cubs within striking distance at 14-10, but with just 1:02 remaining in the first half, the Knights would strike again via a 24-yard aerial strike from Mariotti to Becker and with the Ruhl PAT, Northmor would close out the first 24 minutes of play up by a tally of 21-10.

Lucas started the second half with the ball and driving. After beginning the third quarter from their own 36, the Cubs would march the ball all the way down to the redzone before turning the ball over on downs again at the eight-yard line. With Northmor taking over, it took the Golden Knights just four plays to get on the scoreboard again after Becker busted through the line en route to a 92-yard touchdown run. The home team moved ahead 28-10 after another Ruhl PAT.

Grover showed that he would not be outdone from the backfield and took the ball to the house on a 56-yard touchdown run for the Cubs. Lucas would be unable to convert the two-point conversion and trailed 28-16 with 4:16 remaining in the third period.

With time not on their side, the visitors attempted an onside kick that would trickle out of bounds, giving Northmor possession at the Lucas 42-yard line. On the third play of that particular drive, Mariotti would send a deep pass along the sideline that would be corralled by Gavin Ramos despite the airtight defense. Ramos was off to the races, scoring the 41-yard touchdown and with the Ruhl extra-point, the Golden Knights went up by the eventual final score of 36-16.

Becker had himself a game, posting 175 yards on 29 carries, good for two scores on the ground. Becker also had three receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively for the Golden Knights, the home team recorded six total sacks of Niswander, led by two from Austin Hammond. Blake Miller, Tony Martinez, Brandon Planey and Hunter Brookover would also get to the QB in the backfield. D’Marcus Hudson also came up big for Northmor’s “D”, recording 15 total tackles, four of which were for a loss.

http://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2018/09/web1_Golden-Knights-Logo.jpg

By Chad Clinger

[email protected]

Follow Chad on Twitter @GalionSportsGuy

Reach Chad at 419-468-1117 x2048