Back

North Huskies vs Bosse Bulldogs - at Enlow Field Sept 20, 2024

Game Stats    Game Recap   

Offense

Team Stats

Defensive Stats

Game Recap

DEFENSE SHINES IN 34-8 VICTORY OVER BULLDOGS

Forcing five Bosse turnovers and holding them to less than one yard per carry rushing, the defense enjoyed a stellar night in North’s 34-8 victory Friday night at Enlow Field.  Highlighted by junior Darian Walker’s 38-yard interception return for a touchdown that broke the game open just before halftime, multiple Husky defenders made their presence felt.

OPENING DRIVE FINDS PAYDIRT

The Bulldogs’ lack of a kicking game also contributed to North’s success as they failed to attempt a punt in the game and chose to ‘go-for-it’ on every fourth down.  The first such instance gave the Huskies the ball near midfield early in the game and the offense made the most of the opportunity.

Taking over at North’s 43, senior quarterback Zack Tenbarge hooked up twice with 6’2” sophomore Aden Baggett on pass receptions that delivered the Huskies to the Bosse 18.

With senior Jason Rucker lining up as the sole running back, the Huskies added seniors Luke Grayson and Ethan Bowden behind the left side of the line as additional blockers.  Taking the handoff, Rucker followed those two around left end and received the benefit of Grayson teaming with left tackle Aiden Wargel to collapse the end and linebacker.  Bowden took out the cornerback and Rucker zipped between his blocks and went 18 yards for North’s first score.  Sophomore Derek Kirsch added the extra point and the Huskies led 7-0 early.

BOWDEN’S BIG NIGHT

Having already supplied a crucial block on the touchdown, Bowden then intercepted his first of two picks in the game on Bosse’s ensuing possession.  He snagged the pass out near midfield and returned it to the Bosse 27-yard line.  In the game, the rangy senior would record ten tackles (five solo), two tackles for loss, and pick off two passes.  Less than a minute after taking over on offense, Tenbarge would drop back to throw, get perfect protection from the line, and arc a perfect pass to sophomore Bradyn Egli who was streaking down the center of the field on a post pattern.  The throw was delivered right into his hands at the goal line and after the extra point, North led 14-0.

When Bosse completed a 50-yard pass on their ensuing possession, the Bulldogs were threatening inside North’s ten-yard line.  On second down Bowden teamed with senior Ben Brasher to hold the Bulldog runner to a one-yard gain.  On third and fourth down, Bowden made solo tackles to deny Bosse the score.  It was certainly a spectacular first quarter for the senior captain.

BOSSE THREATENS AGAIN

When North failed to gain a first down, Bosse again took over in good field position and drove to the North 19.  The Husky defense swarmed into the backfield and appeared about to sack the Bulldog quarterback for a loss when he whipped the ball out of the cluster of players and sent it downfield.  Junior Aman Kincaid plucked the ball out of the air and ran across the field in search of blockers.  He used them to great affect and went 80 yards to the end zone.  Unfortunately, North was whistled for a facemask penalty and the sensational runback was disallowed.

With the ball now inside North’s ten again, Bowden teamed with senior Matthew Pegram to tackle a runner for loss on third and goal.  Junior Jireh Morgan defended a pass on fourth down and the Bulldogs had been denied for a second time in the shadow of North’s goal post.

SHORT FIELD, QUICK SCORE

Pegram played a huge role in North’s next score. He swarmed into the Bosse backfield on their next possession and stripped the ball from a runner as he tackled him.  Senior Ricky White scooped up the fumble and rolled to the five-yard line with it.  It took the Huskies just two running plays by Luke Grayson to put North ahead 21-0 with 4:44 to play in the half.

UNDERCLASSMEN SHINE

Bosse was proving to be a ‘game’ opponent as they continued to spark their offense with big plays.  North’s sophomores and juniors, however, made their presence felt and broke the game open.  When the Bulldogs next pushed out near midfield, sophomore Carson Conley recorded back-to-back quarterback sacks on third and fourth downs.

Following a Bosse interception of a North pass, it fell to junior Darian Walker to return the favor and basically take the wind out of Bulldog sails.  Dropping back into coverage from his safety position, Walker resembled the player he replaced from last season at the position (All-State player Kasey Hospelhorn) as he stepped in front of a receiver, grabbed the ball out of the air, and rambled nearly 40 yards down the right side to give North a 27-0 lead with less than a minute remaining in the half.

SECOND HALF

North’s offense played sluggishly throughout the third quarter and into the final period.  A fumble on the first play of the half negated Bowden’s recovery of a Bosse on-sides kick.  The Bulldogs converted the short field and cut the lead to 27-8.  When North’s offense snapped the ball over the quarterback’s head and Bosse recovered, it threatened to turn the momentum in the game.

Bosse completed another 50-yard pass and were deep in North territory when Bowden picked off his second pass of the game to give North the ball back.  Unfortunately, the Huskies turned the ball over again with an interception at the Bosse 35.

THE DEFENSE REFUSES TO BREAK

Walker once again rode to the rescue when a receiver got open over the middle and another defender missed a tackle.  With the receiver ‘off to the races’, the junior safety again showed his great speed as he ran down the Bulldog from behind and made a touchdown saving tackle at the North eleven-yard line.  The Bulldogs were again poised to score when Kincaid batted away a ball from a receiver on third down and then senior Zethan Colon sacked the quarterback for a loss on fourth and goal.

RICKY WHITE IS FASSSSSSSSST

The Huskies are blessed at middle linebacker with a wealth of riches.  As Bowden was having a sensational night on defense, so was junior Ricky White.  He recorded eleven tackles (seven solo), a tackle for loss, and a pair of fumble recoveries.  The second recovery showed off his exceptional speed.

With Bosse ‘knocking on North’s door’ with a first and goal situation at the North eight, junior defensive tackle Mike Epps tackled Bosse’s quarterback for a five-yard loss and stripped him of the ball.  White scooped up the loose ball and streaked 87 yards down the visitor’s sidelines to the endzone.  Unfortunately, a blocking penalty called the return back and the Huskies instead took over at midfield.

With the Bulldogs thoroughly demoralized by the turn of events, North handed the ball repeatedly to their running backs Jason Rucker and Avier Mitchell.  A seven-play drive ate up the last four minutes of the game and Mitchell went over from the one with under ten seconds to play.  Kirsch’s fourth extra point made the final score 34-8.

 BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP