TCA 35 NCS 28 For the second time in three season, Northland scored a touchdown on the very first play of the season. In 2003, Forrest Wilson returned the opening kick against Abundant Life for a touchdown. In 2005, Matt Krob went 95 yards for the score on the opening play against the number 2 ranked team in 5A, Trinity Christian from Addison. However, TCA bounced back, scoring 14 unanswered points, converting on tremendous field position. Northland tied the score at 14 when Jeff Abt found Michael Ellisor for a 38 yard td. TCA hit a big play all the way to the Cougar 3 yard line, and they punched it in for the scored two plays later. Northland blocked the kick attempt, to make the score 20-14. That looked to be the scored heading into the half, but TCA blocked a punt deep in Northland's end and recovered it for a score, then made the 2-point conversion with 17 seconde remainig in the half to take a 28-14 lead into halftime. Northland bounced back with a vengence in the 3rd quarter, as Abt plunged behind the line from one yard out. The score was set up be a tremendous run by Krob. On TCA very next play on offense, the "Back Swarm" (which allowed only 5 net yards to TCA in the second half), forced a fumble and the ball was recovered by junior Alan Hayes, returning the ball to TCA's 6 yard line. Abt hit Clark Fangmeier, in the back of the end zone after a great play fake. The score was now tied at 28. TCA bounced back and scored from 25 yards out to enf the 3rd quarter. Both defenses were tough in the 4th quarter. Northland had several chances to tie the game. Fangmeier, who had 6 catches for 67 yards and 1 score, had a pass graze off his fingertips in the endzone that would have tied the game. Also, Kendrick Blue ran a pass reception down to the 7 yard line but the play was called back to the 40 because of an offsides penalty. Northland showed a lot of heart against a tough opponent and this lesson will help them in the play-offs.
|
