Concordia at North Side
Final Score: 14-7 North Side (OT)
All throughout the year, North Side has dealt with adversity. From the shortened summer practices, to playing the toughest stretch of games to open the season of any SAC team, to the loss of their former teammate, and now, last night, being unable to have their head coach on the sideline for senior night. But as they’ve shown all season, their talent, and more importantly their fight will make them a tough game for anyone. In a game where their offense didn’t produce like they’re used to, the Legends found a way once again.
In one of these grind-it-out defensive battles, it’s often the team that can make the most plays on offense that wins. In the case of North Side, they had very few sustained drives, but they made the most of them with an early touchdown that held as the only points scored for nearly the entire game. Concordia was the opposite, driving the ball down the field but coming up empty by turning the ball over on downs. Finally, on their final drive of regulation, QB Brandon Davis got a push on a fourth down sneak at the goal line to tie the game at 7.
Prior to this touchdown drive, North Side had yet to surrender any points and stalled the Cadets on every drive. It was a great collective effort, especially in stopping the run, as they only allowed RB Amir Drew to gain 31 yards on 16 carries, an unreal 1.9 yards allowed per carry! This defensive effort was led by DT Jaiquan Rowles who made 6 tackles with a sack and tackle for loss. Concordia did great work too, holding a relentless offensive attack in check and even picked off Duce Taylor at a crucial point in the fourth quarter.
However, with the game knotted up in overtime, North Side was finally able to convert, on a well-drawn up play that left RB Jasuan Lambert all alone as he waltzed into the end zone. Concordia was unable to answer on their possession and the Legends got the win.
“I can’t even put that on me,” Lambert said. “If it weren’t for those guys, my o-line, receivers blocking, doing their jobs I wouldn’t be executing how I’m executing.”
He’s been executing well lately. Going into this game, Lambert led the conference in yards per carry, with 7.5, and only further proved that he’s not to be forgotten in this loaded offense. Lambert finished with 130 yards on the ground and 47 receiving, resulting in two total touchdowns, a great game to cap off his senior season.
“It means a lot. Being able to play with these guys that helped me out since I transferred over here, It’s a blessing.”
That final touchdown pass to Lambert was also Duce Taylor’s 30th of the season, a new North Side single-season record. Duce finished 18/28 for 229 yards and one memorable touchdown that he and the rest of the team will remember for the rest of their lives.
However, both of these teams still have work to do. Concordia will have a quick turn around with their first sectional matchup coming next week at Peru, while North Side will get a rematch with Northrop at home in two weeks. It won’t be an easy road ahead for the Legends, as even if they clear the hurdle against the Bruins this time, they’ll likely have to face Bishop Dwenger next. Regardless, Lambert and the team want to take it one week at a time.
“We’re going to practice hard, execute hard and be mentally and physically prepared,” Lambert said. “Week by week we’re going to take our time and prepare for the game.”
Northrop at Bishop Dwenger
Final Score: 41-0 Dwenger
Most thought that Northrop would at least be able to stay in this game, but it quickly became clear that Dwenger wasn’t leaving anything to chance. The Saints went up 28-0 at the half and never looked back. Dwenger had 150 yards and 3 touchdowns in the passing game and 146 yards and 2 touchdowns rushing, a very balanced offensive performance for the Saints. Their defense came through too, with their first shutout of the year. They allowed RB Damarius Cowen 108 yards, about 4.3 yard per carry, and kept him out of the end zone. There could be another game between these two in the near future, but right now Dwenger looks every bit as good as their record shows, making them hard for any team to beat.
Homestead at South Side
Final Score: 41-0 Homestead
It’s official Homestead fans! Your Spartans have won back-to-back conference titles and claim the Victory Bell as their own for another year! QB Evan Ormsby completed half of his passes for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns, with all three going to WR Nate Anderson. This is the second shutout that Sparty has recorded and it gives them a lift heading into a tough sectional. They’ll play Snider first and then be tasked with beating either Warsaw or Carroll if they win. Not a favorable sectional for anyone, but if there’s a team that can do it, it’s the Spartans.
Carroll at Wayne
Final Score: 56-12 Carroll
There was no letdown for the Chargers this time around, as they made sure to put the Generals away early. QB Jeff Becker was 13/19 for 186 yards and 6 total touchdowns. RB Luke Carmody followed up a terrific performance last week with an even better game this week, 128 yards and 2 touchdowns, an 11.6 yard per carry average. Now that the running game has been established, and their passing game continues to be a weapon of mass destruction, the Chargers appear ready to compete in their 6A sectional. Warsaw will be a very tough game, but Carroll will have an extra week to prepare and make sure they’re comfortable before they make their trek westward.
Bishop Luers at Snider
Final Score: 35-13 Snider
We wondered how Snider would respond to letting Dwenger off the hook last week. They handled Luers very well, pulling away late on the back of RB Tyrese Brown’s insane 32 carries, 289 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Hopefully, he’s not too sore after that game because it’ll take that kind of effort to get past Homestead in the first round. Also, QB Luke Haupert continues to fly under the radar. He was 14/19 for 168 yards last night, with his accuracy and decision making improving rapidly, week by week.
