Raiders running attack too much for NMCC
BONNE TERRE - The New Madrid County Central Eagles took the long trek into Raider country to take on state-ranked North County on Friday night.
What awaited the Eagles was a two-headed monster named Nick Neeley and Dan Harris, the Raiders star-studded backfield, which would score four touchdowns en route to a North County 49-7 victory.
The Raiders' running backs got the touchdown glory but the fuel for the engine was supplied by a massive and effective offensive line led by seniors, Jake Goforth (6-4, 280) and Joe Skaggs (6-2, 308).
On the first play of the game, Neeley took the handoff from freshman quarterback, Derek Gibson, and ran off blocks from Goforth and Skaggs and rumbled 71 yards down the field to the 1-yard line of the Eagles.
From there, Harris would punch it in for six at 10:05 of the first quarter.
After a three-and-out for the Eagles, North County would strike again with Harris running off Goforth and Skaggs for a 48-yard touchdown at 8:43 of the first quarter.
Leading 14-0 early in the first quarter, North County went for the knockout punch and went for an onside kick and made the recovery. Reeling, NMCC showed some heart and stiffened on defense and made the Raiders punt after three plays.
Showing some life after the defensive effort, the Eagles would get on the board at 2:36 of the first quarter after quarterback Jordan Kimball threw a beautiful pass to Printice Willis who made the catch and eluded the Raider defense and raced 85 yards for the touchdown.
The Eagles were rejuvenated after the score and looked for a quick three-
and-out. However, North County took advantage of an aggressive Eagle defense and Gibson lofted a perfect middle screen pass just over the hands of NMCC's defensive line and into the waiting hands of fullback Harris who took the football and weaved his way for a 45-yard touchdown.
North County led 21-7 at the end of the first quarter and looked to have all the momentum going into the second quarter of play.
The Eagles were up against an offensive line which outweighed the defensive line by 40 pounds and the difference showed in the second quarter.
Once again, North County took advantage of an aggressive NMCC defense and threw another middle screen pass, this time to Neeley who raced 49 yards for the touchdown at 8:29 of the second quarter.
At 4:44 of the second quarter, Jason Winckel would score on a 4-yard run up the middle making the score 35-7.
NMCC would shoot themselves in the foot all night long as they fumbled the ball five times and lost three. A bad snap would lead to six points as North County defensive end, Phil Schunks, recovered the football from Kimball and raced 65 yards for a fumble return. After the PAT, North County led 42-7 going into halftime.
In the second half, the Eagles showed tremendous heart and determination and fought the Raiders evenly until North County scored in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Gibson to Brandon Vickery.
Coach Arlen Pixley of NMCC was encouraged by his players' performance in the second half of play.
"We had a lot better effort in the second half," said Pixley. "North County was a physical team and had a good line. We were a little outmanned."
NMCC only dressed out 24 players for the game but Pixley would not make any excuses for his team.
"We have to make tackles and improve each week for us to be a winning team," said Pixley.
On the Raiders' side, coach Steve AuBuchon seemed pleased with the victory.
"The kids played hard and it was good to get a victory," he said.
Last week against Oakville, North County lost in large part to the suspension of several starters after an incident on the bus going to the game.
"The loss last week was a learning experience for our players and hopefully we will not have any more incidents," said AuBuchon.
NMCC was led in passing by Kimball who threw for 168 yards with a touchdown. The only negatives were the two interceptions picked by North County.
The Eagles were led in rushing by Willis who gained 41 yards on eight carries. Antonio McIntosh chipped in with 29 yards on nine carries.
Willis had a stellar receiving game as he caught three passes for 122 yards with a touchdown catch. Laterrance Newsom would haul down one pass for 46 yards.
For North County, Gibson threw for three touchdowns and 146 yards.
The two-headed monster for the Raiders gained 269 total yards with Neeley getting 103 yards rushing and 49 receiving. While Harris would gain 72 yards rushing and 45 yards receiving.
Harris scored three touchdowns in the game, all in the first quarter. He scored two touchdowns on the ground and one receiving. Neeley would score his lone touchdown of the game through a reception.
On defense, NMCC was led in tackling by T.J. Bevly, Newsom and Willis who each garnered six tackles on the night. L.T. Sutton chipped in with five tackles. McIntosh made his presence felt on the defensive-side of the field as he defended a pass and recovered a fumble for the Eagles.
For the Raiders, Will Compton and Harris would lead the team with six tackles. Goforth and Nick Hulsey would each get five tackles. Besides the 65-
yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, Schunks would recover another fumble and pick up the only sack of the night.
Kyle Moses and Harris would have the two interceptions for the Raiders. Harris would take his interception and return it 89 yards to set up another score for the Raiders in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles have played possibly the two best teams in Southeast Missouri, with Farmington in Week 1 and North County this week and coach Pixley believes that playing such competition can only improve his club.
"We have faced two good teams and hopefully the kids can see that level of play and raise their own level," said Pixley.
Coach Pixley does have some things to work on this week in practice and he is sure his team can bounce back.
"We have to play mistake-free football and work on our running game." said Pixley, " A bright side of this game is that we did not suffer any injuries and I saw improvements in the second half."
North County (1-1) will host Fox High School next Friday, while NMCC (0-2) will make another long trip, this time to Fredericktown to face the Blackcats. Kickoffs will be at 7 p.m.