Northwest romps Cowanesque Valley on opening night

Tagged under: District 4, Gameday Hub, News

Walter Titus | August 27, 2022

                                                                             

Well folks, it’s that time of year many of us look forward too. No not everything pumpkin, cool crisp nights, and hayrides but FOOTBALL SEASON! Better yet, Northwest Ranger Football season!

Tonight marked a new but yet familiar era of Ranger football as Coach Carl Majer lead the team on the field. The crowd, the Ranger band, the cheerleaders, and the players were all pumped to get the 2022 season underway!

The Cowanesque Valley Indians won the coin toss and deferred to the 2nd half. Senior Thomas Bierly took the opening kickoff for the Ranger at the 24 and returned it 13 yards to the 37 yard line. Led by a strong passing attack it only took the Rangers four plays to drive 53 yards down to the Indians 10 yard line. On the next play QB Carter Hontz handed the ball off to RB Jake Bobersky for a 13 yard TD run with 11:08 left in the first quarter.

On the 2nd play of the Indians opening drive at their own 48 the Rangers defense came up big forcing a fumble that they recovered at the Indians 40.

On the very next play QB Carter Hontz threw it deep to
WR Andrew Bonczewski for a 40 yard touchdown pass putting the Rangers up 14-0 with 10:08 remaining in the 1st.

The Indians tried to get things going on their next position but the Rangers defense was strong again forcing a 3 and out and had to punt from their 15 yard line.

After the punt the Rangers took over on the Indians 33 yard line. Five plays later QB Carter Hontz eluded the Indians pass rush scrambling 20 yards for another Ranger TD making it 21-0 with 7:09 left in the first quarter.

The Rangers defense continued to dominate flying to the ball on 3 failed pass attempts forcing another Indians 3 and out. Following the punt Northwest took over at the Indians 25 yard line.

The Rangers offense meant business. Only five plays later QB Carter Hontz rolled to his right hitting WR Andrew Bonczewski again for a 15 yard TD, his 2nd receiving TD of the first half, increasing their lead to 28-0 with 3:49 left in the 1st quarter.

On the kickoff following the touchdown the Indians fumbled the ball and Northwest recovered it and took over at the Indians 27 yard line.

On the first play after the turnover QB Carter Hontz threw a screen pass to WR Adam Chonko for a 17 yard gain down to the Indians 10. The very next play Indians DE Coen Kemp was able to rush QB Carter Hontz untouched but Hontz mobility came into play as he was able to step up in the pocket and run it in for a 10 yard TD, his 2nd rushing touchdown of the first quarter. Northwest now led 35-0 with 3:07 left in first quarter.

Cowanesque Valley was able to move the ball a little bit on their next drive. Starting at their 20 they took the ball 24 yards on 5 plays to their 44 but the Rangers defense was able to stop them forcing the Indians to punt.

Northwest led 35-0 at the end of the first quarter.

On the next drive the Indians were able to hold the Rangers to a 3 and out making Northwest punt for the first time in the game with 11:55 left in the 2nd quarter.

Following the punt the Indians handed the ball off at their 22 to RB Timothy Freeman and he was able to get around the corner for a 5 yard gain to the 27 but the Rangers got called for a late hit out of bounds adding 15 more yards to their 42 yard line. On the next play the Indians tried to do an inside reverse, handing the ball off to RB Elliot Good then he immediately handed it to RB Timothy Freeman. That ended up in disaster when Freeman fumbled the ball forward and the Rangers Andrew Bonczewski picking it up at the 45 and returning it to the Indians 28 yard line.

The Rangers wasted no time and drove the ball down to the Indians 1 yard line where RB Jake Bobersky pounded it in for another Rangers TD. Northwest attempted a 2 point conversion but it was no good. Bobersky’s TD was his second rushing TD of the first half putting Northwest up 41-0 with 10:30 remaining in the 2nd.

The Rangers defense once again was strong forcing the Indians to turn the ball over on downs. Northwest took over 1st & 10 at Cowanesque Valley’s 36 yard line.

Northwest’s next drive was a 9 play balanced attack of passing and rushing led by sophomore QB Jace McCoy. The drive stalled at the Indians 10 yard line where the Rangers Matt Foley kicks a 20 yard field goal extending their lead to 44-0 with 6:22 left till halftime.

The Rangers stifling defense came up big one again on 4th and 17 for the Indians. QB Graham Hess dropped back to pass but Northwest’s pass rush was vigorous and forced Hess to roll to his right where he fumbled but Good was the recover it. Northwest took over on downs on the Indians 33 yard line.

Northwest moved fast again going 33 yards on 3 plays where Jake Bobersky took it in for a 6 yard TD run extending their lead to 51-0 with 3:11 left in the 2nd quarter.

Cowanesque Valley received the 2nd half kickoff. On the first play after the kickoff, with mostly back ups in for Northwest, the Indians QB Hess dumped the pass off to Good and he took it 74 yards to the house. The 2 point conversion was no good. With 11:08 left in the 3rd Northwest led 51-6.

The Rangers and the Indians went back and forth with possessions up until 2:45 in the 3rd when when Good took the handoff and ran it for an 83 yard TD. The 2 point conversion was no good again making the score 51-12.

Cowanesque Valley scored another TD with 18 seconds left in the game on a 8 yard run by Good. The score was now 51-19 Northwest.

After the kickoff Northwest took a knee to end the game.

Picture Credit: Ward Killian

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