Panthers Pound Raiders For Title
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
MIDDLEBURY - This week, Northridge did not catch NorthWood off guard.
One week after Northridge's 2-8 football team shocked Tippecanoe Valley 17-0, the Raiders clashed with 9-2 NorthWood. To win, the Raiders needed to play their best game of the year. They also needed the NorthWood Panthers to play their worst game of the year.
Neither happened, and NorthWood captured the sectional championship by breezing past Northridge 28-0 on Friday.
Afterward, NorthWood coach Rich Dodson fretted over whether his team celebrated its accomplishments enough. Indeed, the Panthers held a modest celebration that quickly ended. The football players sang the school song then charged off into the locker room.
"They're just not an emotional crew," Dodson said. "We almost had to teach them how to cheer when they did something exciting."
They did do something exciting against Northridge, something they hadn't done all year. The Panthers, who ended the regular season No. 7 in the Class 3A poll, shut out their opponent.
"We finally accomplished (our shutout)," Dodson said. "What are we, into the 12th game? We finally got it. I'm pleased with the way our defense played. We didn't give up a huge play tonight."
NorthWood's offense showed its diversity on its first drive in the first quarter.
After two running plays, NorthWood sophomore quarterback Charlie Roeder completed passes of 17 yards and 9 yards to move the Panther offense down to Northridge's 32-yard line. Then he pulled out a draw play against the Raiders.
It worked. Roeder's 32-yard run put NorthWood up 6-0 with 6:46 left in the first quarter.
The Panthers tacked on another touchdown with no time left on the clock in the first quarter. Roeder completed 19- and 28-yard passes to Joe Abel, then fullback Chad Knisely followed with a 3-yard touchdown run. NorthWood converted a two-point pass play to go up 14-0.
Northridge's offense then put together it's only true scoring threat early in the second quarter. The Raiders put together a 15-play drive that started from their 35-yard line. Problem was, it ended at NorthWood's 9-yard line when Panther cornerback Aaron Huber tipped a pass away on fourth down.
"That's been the story of our season," Northridge coach Frank Amato said. "We are able to move the ball at times. We can't finish (the drives) off. That will come with experience."
The only damper on NorthWood's evening came two plays after the Panthers snuffed Northridge's drive. Knisely completed a 10-yard run but didn't get up when the play ended.
"It's his right leg, down by the ankle," Dodson said. "We're going to check for a fracture. He's a hard-working young man and a great blocker in our scheme. He's probably going to be doubtful next week, regardless whether he broke it or not."
Knisely's injury stopped the game for several minutes. The Panthers used that layoff to their advantage. They got the Roeder-to-Huber pass connection going.
The first play after the injury, Roeder completed a 33-yard pass to Huber. That completion set up a 13-yard touchdown screen pass from Roeder to Huber with 1:05 left before halftime. NorthWood led 21-0 at the break.
"Charlie had a great first half throwing the football," Dodson said. "I tell you, that (33-yard pass) was a big-time throw. He threw it right into Huber, hit him in stride. That play got us to midfield and gave us plenty of time to score."
Afterward, Amato said that third touchdown before halftime was a killer.
"Our game plan was such that we had to establish something in the first half," Amato said. "Our offense at this point isn't one where you're down three touchdowns to start the second half ... we need time on the clock, and we need possessions."
He had his reasons for believing this - the Northridge offense had tallied less than 400 passing yards all year, and that was the only chance the Raiders had to get back into the game.
Not surprisingly, the quick strikes through the air didn't happen.
NorthWood added its final touchdown with 39 seconds left in the game. Backup halfback Corey Brown came in and bulled his way for 45 yards on six carries, setting up a 2-yard touchdown run by Roeder.
"We knew if we could get through the third quarter and they didn't do anything with the ball as far as points, it would be pretty tough for them to score 21 in the fourth quarter," Dodson said.
Northridge may have gone only 2-9, but Amato got the Raiders to a place they hadn't visited since 1989 - the sectional finals.
"I'm pleased with our progress," Amato said. "I know I sound like a broken record, but I really hope our kids were able to get something positive from this experience. My biggest disappointment was I couldn't give them more success."
NorthWood travels to play Fort Wayne Harding Friday in the regional game. [[In-content Ad]]
MIDDLEBURY - This week, Northridge did not catch NorthWood off guard.
One week after Northridge's 2-8 football team shocked Tippecanoe Valley 17-0, the Raiders clashed with 9-2 NorthWood. To win, the Raiders needed to play their best game of the year. They also needed the NorthWood Panthers to play their worst game of the year.
Neither happened, and NorthWood captured the sectional championship by breezing past Northridge 28-0 on Friday.
Afterward, NorthWood coach Rich Dodson fretted over whether his team celebrated its accomplishments enough. Indeed, the Panthers held a modest celebration that quickly ended. The football players sang the school song then charged off into the locker room.
"They're just not an emotional crew," Dodson said. "We almost had to teach them how to cheer when they did something exciting."
They did do something exciting against Northridge, something they hadn't done all year. The Panthers, who ended the regular season No. 7 in the Class 3A poll, shut out their opponent.
"We finally accomplished (our shutout)," Dodson said. "What are we, into the 12th game? We finally got it. I'm pleased with the way our defense played. We didn't give up a huge play tonight."
NorthWood's offense showed its diversity on its first drive in the first quarter.
After two running plays, NorthWood sophomore quarterback Charlie Roeder completed passes of 17 yards and 9 yards to move the Panther offense down to Northridge's 32-yard line. Then he pulled out a draw play against the Raiders.
It worked. Roeder's 32-yard run put NorthWood up 6-0 with 6:46 left in the first quarter.
The Panthers tacked on another touchdown with no time left on the clock in the first quarter. Roeder completed 19- and 28-yard passes to Joe Abel, then fullback Chad Knisely followed with a 3-yard touchdown run. NorthWood converted a two-point pass play to go up 14-0.
Northridge's offense then put together it's only true scoring threat early in the second quarter. The Raiders put together a 15-play drive that started from their 35-yard line. Problem was, it ended at NorthWood's 9-yard line when Panther cornerback Aaron Huber tipped a pass away on fourth down.
"That's been the story of our season," Northridge coach Frank Amato said. "We are able to move the ball at times. We can't finish (the drives) off. That will come with experience."
The only damper on NorthWood's evening came two plays after the Panthers snuffed Northridge's drive. Knisely completed a 10-yard run but didn't get up when the play ended.
"It's his right leg, down by the ankle," Dodson said. "We're going to check for a fracture. He's a hard-working young man and a great blocker in our scheme. He's probably going to be doubtful next week, regardless whether he broke it or not."
Knisely's injury stopped the game for several minutes. The Panthers used that layoff to their advantage. They got the Roeder-to-Huber pass connection going.
The first play after the injury, Roeder completed a 33-yard pass to Huber. That completion set up a 13-yard touchdown screen pass from Roeder to Huber with 1:05 left before halftime. NorthWood led 21-0 at the break.
"Charlie had a great first half throwing the football," Dodson said. "I tell you, that (33-yard pass) was a big-time throw. He threw it right into Huber, hit him in stride. That play got us to midfield and gave us plenty of time to score."
Afterward, Amato said that third touchdown before halftime was a killer.
"Our game plan was such that we had to establish something in the first half," Amato said. "Our offense at this point isn't one where you're down three touchdowns to start the second half ... we need time on the clock, and we need possessions."
He had his reasons for believing this - the Northridge offense had tallied less than 400 passing yards all year, and that was the only chance the Raiders had to get back into the game.
Not surprisingly, the quick strikes through the air didn't happen.
NorthWood added its final touchdown with 39 seconds left in the game. Backup halfback Corey Brown came in and bulled his way for 45 yards on six carries, setting up a 2-yard touchdown run by Roeder.
"We knew if we could get through the third quarter and they didn't do anything with the ball as far as points, it would be pretty tough for them to score 21 in the fourth quarter," Dodson said.
Northridge may have gone only 2-9, but Amato got the Raiders to a place they hadn't visited since 1989 - the sectional finals.
"I'm pleased with our progress," Amato said. "I know I sound like a broken record, but I really hope our kids were able to get something positive from this experience. My biggest disappointment was I couldn't give them more success."
NorthWood travels to play Fort Wayne Harding Friday in the regional game. [[In-content Ad]]