Northwest swarms Vinton County, takes nonconference win
By: Jack Zwiezinski
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MCARTHUR, Ohio (WOUB) – The Northwest Mohawks made their way to McArthur to meet the Vinton County Vikings in a cross-conference matchup. These teams faced each other for the third time, with Northwest taking the series lead on a 43-22 win.
The Vikings took the ball and were stopped in Mohawk territory. Northwest took the ball on its next drive and marched into Vinton County’s side of the field. Mohawk QB Jake Brown kept the ball and scrambled his way into the end zone to strike first and go up 7-0 early. The Northwest defense overpowered the Vinton County offensive line and sacked Viking QB Jase Moore on the next drive to force a turnover.
After an explosive few plays, Northwest RB Ethan Ferguson powered his way through and into the end zone for another 6 points, as it failed the PAT. The Mohawks went up 13-0. On the next kickoff, Viking WR Josh Montgomery snagged the kick and returned it into Northwest territory, but was held out of the end zone by the smothering Mohawk defense. Northwest finished out the first quarter with a long run into Viking territory, but no score.
Starting the second quarter, Mohawk Carson Christian punched in for another touchdown. Northwest went for a 2-point conversion and made it, going up 21-0. On the next kickoff to the Vikings, Kole Ousley took the ball to Northwest’s 28-yard line to set the Vikings up in good field position. The Northwest defense was able to force a turnover after a fourth-down sack on Moore. The Vikings kicked up the defense next drive, and held back the Mohawks.
After some defensive back and forth, Mohawk Carson Christian grabbed hold of Brown’s pass and took it through multiple Vikings for a 52-yard pick-6, but missed the 2-point conversion, going up 27-0. Vinton County pushed through Northwest territory on its next drive and Viking TE Jacob Thacker pushed through from 2 yards out to put them on the board. The Vikings lined up for 2 points and Kole Ousley came down with it to bring the score to 27-8 going into the half.
The Mohawks started off the third quarter with an onside kick and started to move down the field. Brown found Christian again in the air for a 30-yard touchdown. They were unable to convert on the 2-point attempt and the score went up 33-8. Vinton County moved down the field on its next drive and Moore hit WR Jacob Thacker again for a big touchdown to go up to 33-14.
Both teams’ defenses put the pedal to the metal in the fourth quarter, recording sack after sack. After being held within the redzone by the Vikings, Mohawk kicker Wesyn Lang hit a 26-yard field goal to bring the score to 36-14. After another defensive stretch, Christian took it 11 yards to go up another 7, bringing the score 43-14.
At the end of the fourth quarter, Northwest fumbled the snap and Thacker was able to recover it and take it 63-yards to the house. Moore followed up the touchdown with a quarterback rush into the end zone to bring the final score to 43-22.
Next week, Vinton County (1-6) will face conference opponent River Valley (1-6) and Northwest (4-3) faces Portsmouth West (4-3).