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Northeast rocks Northwest despite penalty trouble, slow start




Northeast's Walter Gooch (2) breaks up the field on a kickoff return for a touchdown.ROBERT SMITH

Northeast’s Walter Gooch (2) breaks up the field on a kickoff return for a touchdown.ROBERT SMITH

A team doesn’t typically look bad during a 40-7 region victory, but that was the case on Friday night.

The Northeast Eagles defeated their crosstown rivals, the Northwest Vikings, by that score on Oct. 9 to improve to 5-0 in the region. But they played far from their best football in the victory and the margin could have been much wider had they not committed a litany of penalties.

“We obviously had more penalties than you could count, and that’s something we’re going to look at,” said NEHS head coach Brandon Clark. “I can’t even keep up with all of them. I think every kind of penalty you could get; I think we got. We’re going to look at that; that wasn’t disciplined football.

“It felt like every time we (executed), you look back and all of a sudden there’s a yellow flag, and so it’s going backwards. Somebody held or blocked somebody in the back. Just something undisciplined.”

One symptom of the sloppiness was a slow start on offense – something that the Eagles have dealt with several times this season. They scored only two offensive touchdowns before halftime: a two-yard run by running back Juwan Harris and a 25-yard pass from Jaiden Puig to Jaylen Bussey.

They still led 28-7 going into the break thanks to two special teams touchdowns from Walter Gooch, who returned one punt and one kickoff for scores.

The Vikings’ defense did well to contain Harris, who has brutalized opposing units in recent weeks with his bruising running style.

“Our defense did some really good stuff in the beginning against a big, dominant running back and really slowed him down and took it away from him,” said NWHS head coach Neil Furnish. “We lined up and tried to put six, seven, eight in the box and stop him, and we did a good job.”

Northeast was able to get big plays, but they were taken back by penalties like clockwork.

The woes don’t end there for the Eagles, either. Perhaps the most concerning problem they faced on Friday night came near the end of the game when Puig, who has been one of the top quarterbacks in the region this season, was sacked and fallen on awkwardly by a Viking defender. He laid on the field for several minutes before walking off under his own power, grasping at his lower back.

Both he and Clark feel that the injury won’t be as serious as it looked and hope that he can return to action in time for their next game – and they’ll need him. With the win, Northeast has officially earned the right to challenge Henry County on Oct. 23 for the Region 7-5A championship. They would almost assuredly require Puig to be healthy in order to have a chance at winning the game – and the region – though backup quarterback Brandon Jackson did throw a 25-yard touchdown to Bussey in his limited action on Friday.

They’ll use their upcoming bye week and fall break to get healthy before the make-or-break game.

As for the Vikings, the already banged-up squad suffered several more injuries in the game. They’re down four offensive linemen, leaving a freshman and several sophomores to play next to sensational senior Casey Fuaau. They’re also without their starting quarterback, among others.

“They’re doing what they can do at their time,” Furnish said. “We’re trying to make it simple and just move the ball and control the clock.”

Their lone score came on a throw from wide receiver Markkus Farrior to Kimarion Austin-Walker that went 70 yards in the second quarter.

The Vikings are now on a five-game losing streak. They’ll look to snap that after their bye week when they visit Clarksville on Friday, Oct. 23.

Northeast cornerback Paulzon West (5) intercepts a pass intended for Northwest's Bobby Demeyers (8).ROBERT SMITH

Northeast cornerback Paulzon West (5) intercepts a pass intended for Northwest’s Bobby Demeyers (8).ROBERT SMITH

Northeast's Sean Spencer (6) wraps up Northwest quarterback Ethan Tackett (16) for a sack.ROBERT SMITH

Northeast’s Sean Spencer (6) wraps up Northwest quarterback Ethan Tackett (16) for a sack.ROBERT SMITH

Northeast's Walter Gooch (2) breaks through the Northwest defense on his way to scoring a touchdown.ROBERT SMITH

Northeast’s Walter Gooch (2) breaks through the Northwest defense on his way to scoring a touchdown.ROBERT SMITH

Northeast wide receiver Dezmond Fort (21) pulls in a pass as Northwest's Lloyd Montgomery (5) defends.ROBERT SMITH

Northeast wide receiver Dezmond Fort (21) pulls in a pass as Northwest’s Lloyd Montgomery (5) defends.ROBERT SMITH

Northeast head coach Brandon Clark watches the action .ROBERT SMITH

Northeast head coach Brandon Clark watches the action .ROBERT SMITH

Northeast wide receiver Jaylen Bussey (18) reaches across the goal line to score a touchdown.ROBERT SMITH

Northeast wide receiver Jaylen Bussey (18) reaches across the goal line to score a touchdown.ROBERT SMITH

Northwest's Lamauri Kincaid (2) dives for an extra yard.ROBERT SMITH

Northwest’s Lamauri Kincaid (2) dives for an extra yard.ROBERT SMITH

Northwest's Kimarion Austin-Walker (25) pulls down Northeast wide receiver Jaylen Bussey (18).ROBERT SMITH

Northwest’s Kimarion Austin-Walker (25) pulls down Northeast wide receiver Jaylen Bussey (18).ROBERT SMITH

Northeast running back Juwan Harris (22) powers through the Northwest's line to score a touchdown.ROBERT SMITH

Northeast running back Juwan Harris (22) powers through the Northwest’s line to score a touchdown.ROBERT SMITH

Northwest's Lloyd Montgomery (5) tries to stop Northeast's Jaylin Bowser (1).ROBERT SMITH

Northwest’s Lloyd Montgomery (5) tries to stop Northeast’s Jaylin Bowser (1).ROBERT SMITH

Northeast linebacker Tedo Berrios (24) sacks Northwest quarterback Ethan Tackett (16).ROBERT SMITH

Northeast linebacker Tedo Berrios (24) sacks Northwest quarterback Ethan Tackett (16).ROBERT SMITH

Northwest kicker Raul Mulgado (80) gets off a punt as he is hit by Northeast linebacker Tobin Smith (16).ROBERT SMITH

Northwest kicker Raul Mulgado (80) gets off a punt as he is hit by Northeast linebacker Tobin Smith (16).ROBERT SMITH

Members of the Northwest marching band play during halftime.ROBERT SMITH

Members of the Northwest marching band play during halftime.ROBERT SMITH

Members of the Northwest marching band flags perform during halftime.ROBERT SMITH

Members of the Northwest marching band flags perform during halftime.ROBERT SMITH

 

 

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