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The Northwestern/La Harpe Thunder rolled to a big 50-6 win over the visiting Virginia Redbirds to open I.H.S.A. Class 2-A play off action last Saturday afternoon.
Playing at Baumann Field in Sciota, the Thunder scored on every possession, but their first and last of the day. In between they rushed for seven touchdowns after spotting the Redbirds to an early 6-0 lead.
Virginia took the initial lead after forcing NW-LH to punt after the hosts first drive stalled. The Redbird QB took advantage of a NW-LH defensive breakdown to race in on an option keeper from 26 yards out. The Thunder stuffed the conversion but trailed 6-0
NW-LH stormed back with a scoring drive of their own on their ensuring possession. The drive was highlighted by a 40 yard counter run by senior halfback, Justin Sickels. Sickels then completed the drive with a 2 yard dive into the end zone. The conversion run failed, so the score was knotted at 6-6.
Virginia's next drive was short lived and the Thunder soon took over again at their own 33 yard line. This time it was the Redbird defense who stiffened as they seemingly forced a punt on 4th and 8 at the NW-LH 35 yard line. However, the Thunder had other plans as they faked the punt and Jordan Miller took the short snap and hid behind a wall of blockers. As the confused defense chased would be ball carriers down both sides, Miller split the middle and raced 65 yards to score. The big play gave the Thunder a 12-6 lead and a shot of momentum they would not relinquish.
As the Thunder defense continued to play inspired football, the NW-LH offensive line would seize control of the game. Opening gaping holes for the Thunder backs, the offensive line dominated almost every play they ran during the games middle two quarters. In the end, NW-LH would rush for 505 yards on 64 rushing attempts. Center Nate Todd, guards Reo Read and Christopher Link, tackles, Drew Pence and Matt Zaehringer, and tight ends, Isaac Rogers and A. J. Huston left no doubt as to which team owned the line of scrimmage.
Sickels and Miller would each add a 2nd period touchdown to their first period scores, with QB Chase DeCounter adding a conversion run after Sickels's second TD. The half time score saw the Thunder on top 26-6.
The third period saw more of the same as senior fullback Kevin Hunt would score twice on runs of 16 and 1 yard, while DeCounter would score the final TD from 5 yards out. Conversion runs were added by DeCounter, Sickels and Junior halfback Brittain Daudelin.
As previously mentioned the Thunder defense was superb after the Redbirds' opening series. They would eventually hold Virginia's high powered offense to only 33 yards rushing on 25 attempts and 118 yards passing on 18 attempts.
Virginia's offense was further hampered by 3 Thunder interceptions of Redbird passes. Miller had one pick to thwart a Virginia drive, while DeCounter had a pair of thefts. All three turnovers helped lead to Thunder scores.
The Thunder tackle chart was led by A. J. Huston and Nate Todd with 8 tackles each. Also on board with at least two tackles were Sickels, DeCounter, Miller, Hunt, Ty, Huston, Christopher Link, Matt Zaehringer and Drew Pence.
Four Thunder reserves came on to play strongly as well. Brittain Daudelin did an excellent job blocking out of the halfback spot. Brian Covert came in for injured Stephen Butterfield (slight concussion, hopefully) to pick up 4 tackles in the secondary and on special teams. Ben Cox came on to fill in an offensive guard for Reo Read (ankle sprain) and played very well. Defensive end Justin Mohr came on during passing downs to record 3 tackles, two sacks, and a partially deflected punt. And finally, senior fullback Alex Ruebush came in midway through the 3rd quarter to rush for 81 yards on 12 carries.
The Thunder improve their record to 9-1 overall and advance to meet week-ends 2nd round contest with Beardstown (8-2). The visiting Tigers will meet NW-LH at La Harpe High School field at 1:00 p.m. this Saturday. This is a rematch of a week #7 West Central contest that the Thunder won 22-16.