Back

North Huskies vs Terre Haute South Braves- at Bundrant Stadium Aug 21 2015

Game Stats    Game Recap   

Offense

Team Stats

Defensive Stats

Game Recap

HUSKIES LOSE 26-7 IN A GAME THAT WAS CLOSER THAN THE SCORE

Two minutes into the second quarter Friday night, the North Huskies looked up to the task of pulling off the biggest upset of the last several years against #6 ranked Terre Haute South.  Trailing 6-0, senior William Brian had stepped in front of a pass thrown by the Braves, picked it off, and then rambled 30 yards to the opponents’ 19 yard line.

EARLY STAND BY THE DEFENSE

The defense, which had played so brilliantly in the scrimmage at Jasper the previous Friday, appeared to have Terre Haute’s number.  On their first possession, the Braves had been held to ‘three and out’.  Only a muffed punt return at the North 24 yard line had enabled the visitors’ first score.  On the extra point attempt, junior linebacker Cage Street had streaked through and blocked his fifth kick of his career and his third against the Braves in two seasons.

As the Huskies lined up at the 19, the world appeared to be their oyster.  Senior Dylan Heiman found some room on a reverse and he ran the ball down to the 13 yard line.  Unbeknownst to the Husky faithful, that was to be the high water mark of the evening.  A loss on third down set up fourth and long and a field goal attempt had plenty of leg but went wide right.

BRAVES GO UP ‘TWO SCORES’

The Braves took over at the 15 and a quick hitting run up the middle found daylight on the first play.  Senior Tre’ Neighbors refused to give up on the play, but it took him 80 yards to run down the fleet footed runner and Terre Haute South had first and goal from the five.  One play later it was 12-0.

North strung together an 11 play drive on the next possession and featured a power running game.  With senior quarterback Austin Curtis running the “Pistol” offense, nine consecutive running plays moved the ball out near midfield.  The drive stalled however, when a holding penalty negated a long run by junior Shawn Coane and set up a “third-and-forever” situation.

COANE APPEARS TO HAVE ‘THE RIGHT STUFF’

Coane, a 5’10” 167lb. junior running back, was the feature running back in the Pistol throughout the night carrying the ball 17 times for 76 yards.  The total could have been much higher but for two costly Holding penalties (both of which occurred behind the runner) that called back a 22 yard touchdown run in the first quarter and an 18 yard pickup on the play mentioned above.  A starter at defensive back as well, the newcomer tallied four tackles (one for loss) and looks to have the speed to stretch opponents to their limits.

SOUTH PUTS THE GAME OUT OF REACH

The Braves looked the part of a heavy favorite on their next possession.  Their quarterback kept the ball and ran for 14 yards on first down.  He then dropped back to pass on the next play and spotted a receiver who had gotten behind the Husky defense.  Despite his comparatively small size—barely 5’10” tall—he threw the ball 40 yards in the air and hit his receiver in stride.  When the receiver crossed the goal line Terre Haute South was up three scores and North’s ball-control offense was ill suited to overcome such a deficit.

SECOND HALF

For their part, the Huskies refused to give up and battled the Braves to a 7-7 draw in the second half.  The running game proved to be a strength for North and the offensive line of senior Bryce Brown at center, senior Logan Gibson and junior Evan Fehd at guards, and junior Hunter Garrett and senior Sterling Armstrong at tackles opened holes in the highly touted South defense.  Senior s Dylan Heiman and Trevor McDowell helped carry the load at running back when Coane cramped up and they each picked up over 25 yards rushing in the final two periods.

Unfortunately for the Husky hopes, the passing game was much less efficient than the running game.  The first two drives of the third quarter stalled when open receivers dropped balls that would have given the team a first down.  The Huskies didn’t have a completion longer than 7 yards until the fourth quarter when Coane took a pitch on a sweep and then stopped to throw a pass to senior  Matthew Gray. 

NORTH’S ONLY SCORE

Given Coane’s success running the ball earlier in the game, the defense was caught sleeping by the option pass and Gray caught the ball well behind the defense.  He made it to the 3 yard line for a 49 yard gain and senior Trais Lowe busted into the end zone behind Bryce Brown’s big block to give North its only score of the night.  Following sophomore Thomas Samuel’s extra point the score was 26-7 and the game ended that way.

CAGE STREET PROVIDED SPARKS

The score was more lopsided than the game.  North led in first downs and time of possession by wide margins.  The rushing totals were similar and the turnover numbers were equal.  If not for the two big plays in the second quarter, this could have easily been a game decided by one score.  For his part junior Cage Street held together a defense that could easily improve to be a very good unit.  Street finished the night with 11 tackles (10 solo), one thrown-for-loss, a quarterback sack, a caused fumble, and a blocked kick.

The Huskies could surprise a lot of people if they can develop an ability to avoid dropping footballs, committing costly holding penalties, and turnovers.  Next Friday night in Broad Ripple could be North’s “Coming Out Party” if they can avoid beating themselves.

BACK TO TOP