Key defensive plays assured Northmor of victory when they traveled to Upper Sandusky for their season-opening football game on Friday.
In their 42-21 win over the Rams, the Golden Knights blew open a close game with a pair of fourth quarter interceptions by Hunter Fulk that the senior returned for touchdowns that ended Upper’s bid for a come-from-behind win.
The contest opened with Northmor scoring on a short run by Paul Cramer to take a 7-0 lead. While Upper responded to tie the game late in the quarter, a 50-yard pass from A.J. Bower to Jaxson Wenger led to points and gave the Golden Knights a 14-7 lead after one.
Both teams would score once in the second quarter — with Northmor getting ponts on an 87-yard scoring pass from Bower to Cowin Becker — to keep the Golden Knights up by seven at 21-14.
It would be 28-14 in the third quarter when Carson Campbell run for a 30-yard touchdown; however, Upper would claw back to within seven with a touchdown midway through the fourth.
Fulk’s two pick-sixes would clinch the game for Northmor, though, as they started out the season with a 1-0 record.
Bower completed 11-of-19 passes for 255 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Becker had 109 yards on three receptions, while Wenger finished with four catches for 82 yards and Cramer had one 45-yard catch. Campbell led the team on the ground with 51 yards on 12 carries.
Mount Gilead Indians
A third-quarter touchdown gave Mount Gilead all the breathing room they needed in a 15-8 win over host Triad Friday.
A 33-yard pass from Cole Fricke to Jacob Wilt gave MG a 7-0 lead early in the game, but a touchdown and two-point conversion put Triad up 8-7 in the second. The Indians would regain the advantage before the intermission on a safety. Then, leading 9-8, they were able to get a short touchdown run by Fricke to lead 15-8 — an advantage that would hold throughout the remainder of the contest.
Mount Gilead held a 269-127 advantage in offensive yardage on the night. Fricke completed 5-of-10 passes for 91 yards, one touchdown and one interception; while also running for 56 yards. Mason Barnum added 50 yards on the ground. Cam Vickers caught a pair of passes for 37 yards.
“Overall, a very gritty opening effort for our boys,” said head coach Mike Reid. “They stayed in the fight and went toe to toe defensively for four quarters. It was a great defensive effort. Offensively, we had some nice drives, but we did not finish them all.”
Cardington Pirates
Cardington couldn’t get on the scoreboard in an opening week 30-0 loss at Elgin.
The Comets led 6-0 after the first quarter, but were able to open a commanding lead thanks to a 16-point second period. They would add eight in the third quarter to take a 30-point lead, which they held the rest of the way.
Journey Williamson hit on 11-of-16 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. Greg Donaldson snagged four of those completions for 42 yards, while Wyatt Denney had three catches for 39 yards. Denney also ran for 44 yards in the contest.
Rob Hamilton can be reached at 419-946-3010, ext. 1807. Connect with him on Twitter at @SportsMCS
