PLYMOUTH — As wins go, it was a big one.
Plymouth’s Rockies took a leg up in the race for the NLC title, and put an end to a three game losing streak to Northridge with a 35-17 win at Plymouth.
“It’s really big coming off a win last week against a really good team on the road at Warsaw,” said Plymouth coach John Barron. “Two really well coached football teams, two ranked opponents, I think our kids prepared well this week and that’s what we have to continue to do.”
“I think we have a football team with a lot of guys who like to play,” he said. “We have some experience on offense. We have a really good offensive line. Our defense played really well tonight against a really good power running football team.”
Northridge won the yardage war with 334 yards of total offense but a defense that was able to force five turnovers was the difference in the game.
The Rockies recovered four of six Northridge fumbles and Jake Reichard picked off a pass giving the Plymouth offense the advantage of a short field for most of the night.
“We were flying around to the ball,” said Barron. “Maybe it’s the new turnover chain that coach Corbett implemented. The kids certainly get excited, whatever it takes to get the kids excited to play.”
With a 14-10 lead at halftime, the momentum going the Raiders way and Northridge receiving the second half kickoff, the third quarter was the difference in the game.
The Rockies forced a turnover on the first possession and never looked back.
Meanwhile the Plymouth offensive line rose to the secon half challenge, especially the right side of Kendal Himes and Owen Bockman as Ivan Winkle was able to read their blocks and make big yardage in the second half.
“I thought that Kendal (Himes) and Bock (Owen Bockman) had a good go at it in the second half,” said Barron. “This was the first game that Ivan (Winkle) played at running back and as the game went on he really got a feel for what Mike (Kershner) was calling. Being able to stop on a dime and get vertical and finish his runs off, he’s a special player.”
Winkle ended the night with 101 rushing yards on 23 carries 60 of those coming in the second half. He also had a catch for 20 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s got great vision and he’s fearless,” Barron said of Winkle. “I’m going to say that every week. He’s fearless on both sides of the ball. He’s 100 miles an hour every time he’s out there.”
There was little for Barron to be upset with in an important early season win.
“We have a lot of guys who like to compete,” said Barron. “If we get them in good spots and Joe (Barron) is distributing the ball well, we have a chance to score some points.”
Both teams are 3-1, Plymouth is 2-0 in NLC play with a game at Elkhart Memorial next week. NorthWood will have another tough road game at Warsaw.
•PLYMOUTH 35, NORTHRIDGE 17
at Plymouth
Northridge 0 10 0 7 — 17
Plymouth 7 7 7 14 — 35
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter
08:01 PLYM — Joe Styers 44 yd pass from Joe Barron (Adrian Cardona kick)
2nd Quarter
10:59 PLYM — Ivan Winkle 1 yd run (Oscar Mendoza kick)
06:22 NRIDG — Lacey 1 yd run (Graber kick)
03:30 NRIDG — Graber 22 yd field goal
3rd Quarter
07:50 PLYM — Ivan Winkle 1 yd run (Adrian Cardona kick)
4th Quarter
08:36 PLYM — Jake Reichard 2 yd pass from Joe Barron (Adrian Cardona kick)
06:20 PLYM — Ivan Winkle 20 yd pass from Joe Barron (Adrian Cardona kick)
01:04 NRIDG — Crowder 1 yd run (Graber kick)
RUSHING — Northridge — Crowder 22-152, Lacey 16-83, Eveler 7-minus 7. Plymouth — IvanWinkle 23-101, Seth Rundell 2-19, Joe Barron 4-minus 20.
PASSING — Northridge-Eveler 8-16-1-106. Plymouth-Joe Barron 18-27-0-210.
RECEIVING — Northridge — Gott 6-53, Judd 1-47, Reschly 1-6. Plymouth-Jake Reichard 7-62, Seth Rundell 5-33, Joe Styers 2-49, Garr Schrameyer 2-45, Ivan Winkle 1-20.
