North vs Auburn

Story by Paul T. Zeien, Jr.

SOPHOMORE GAME
North Sophomores defeat Auburn

The Thunder was tasked with defending the north goal and kicking off to start the game against the Auburn Knights. The first possession of the Knights did not end as they expected it would. #40, Ryan Karns blocked the Auburn punt and #47, Joe Korotasz recovers the ball on the 2 yard line. The first score of the game came when #8, Alan Hawkins tears left and makes a 2 yard touchdown run. The PAT was good and the score was Thunder 7, Knights 0.

At 7:33 Auburn fumbles the ball again and again Karns is there to make the play. The Thunder would not be able to capitalize on the turnover. With 4:35 left in the first quarter the Knights intercepted a Thunder pass and made good yardage. However, an illegal block in the back penalty moved them back to the 41 yard line of the Thunder. The Knights would move the ball but not score and with 35.2 seconds remaining in the 1st quarter the Thunder takes the ball over on downs.

Hawkins fired up the crowd early in the 2nd quarter with a 53 yard touchdown run. #48, David Kissel was good with the PAT. The score now was Thunder 14, Knights 0. Hard fought football until 4:02 when the Thunder would turn the ball over on downs. This gave the Knights 1st and 10 on their own 39 yard line.

The clock would continue to wind down and with 22.2 seconds left in the first half #33, Garret Thresher intercepts an Auburn pass. This gave the Thunder the ball on their own 32 yard line. The clock would quickly run out and the score going into the locker room was Thunder 14, Knights 0.

The clock ticked away in the 3rd quarter and the first score did not come until 3:07 left. #17, Alex Gomez caught a 9 yard touchdown pass for the Thunder. The PAT was no good and that made the score Thunder 20, Knights 0. With 2:05 left in the 3rd #30, Stan Park came out of nowhere to snatch an Auburn pass giving the Thunder the ball 1st and 10 on the Knights 45 yard line.  The quarter would end with no further scoring.

At 9:52 very early in the 4th the Thunder throws an interception. It was 1st and 10 with the Knights on their own 6 yard line. Nothing would change on the scoreboard until the 1:20 mark when Auburn would put their first 6 points on the board. The PAT was no good and the score was Thunder 20, Knights 6.

14 seconds later Auburn would hit the end zone again with a 45 yard touchdown pass. They could not convert the 2-point making the score that would be the final Thunder 20, Knights 12.

VARSITY GAME

North Varisty fall in OT

The varsity Thunder was given the opportunity to kick-off to start the game and defend the south goal. The Thunder defense was right on their game for the first possession of the Knights and with Auburn facing a 4th and 24 are forced to punt. #13, Alex Tripp who had a tremendous game returned the punt to mid field giving the Thunder excellent field position.

The Thunder would draw first blood Friday night with a 16 yard pass from #10, Corey Wennmacher to #42, David Yurevich. #64, PAT was no good the score was Thunder 6, Knights 0. The first quarter would end with the Thunder up by 6.

The 2nd quarter 5:52 21 yard touchdown by Auburn and a successful PAT would make the score Thunder 6, Knight 7. The Thunder appeared to be taken back by the score. Tripp would return the kick-off 34 yards to again giving the Thunder good field position. The Thunder would start this series from the 50 yard line. They would not be able to advance the ball. Auburn would begin to gain momentum throughout the 2nd quarter and into the 3rd. Neither team would be able to break the plane of the goal line for additional points in the 3rd quarter. The Thunder appeared to be a bit flat entering the 4th quarter.

Very early in the 4th, 10:18, Auburn would score a 15 yard touchdown run but not complete the PAT. The score would be Auburn 13, Thunder 6. Tripp takes the field to receive the kick-off along with #20, Landon Jackson. Tripp would get the ball and pick his way through the Auburn defenders sprinting 87 yards for the very first Thunder kick-off return for a touchdown. #64, Lauren Waddell would kick the PAT and it would smack the left upright and drop through for the point. These 7 points would tie the game at 13 a piece.

The Thunder with this run would be completely pumped up. At 7:51 the Thunder defense would hold the Knights and force them to turn the ball over on downs. The Thunder was on the 41 yard line. The Thunder would march towards the end zone and #31, Jake Billon would make a 6 yard run for a score. There was a penalty on the play which negated the 6 points and it put the Thunder back on the ball. They continue and with just 3:32 left in the game the Thunder fumbles the ball on the Knight 11 yard line. The Knights would masterfully work the clock to end the regulation part of the game with a tie 13 to 13.

#11, Tyler Nelson would represent the Thunder at mid field to determine who would get the opportunity in overtime to score first. For overtime each team gets 4 downs to go 10 yards for the score and win. The Thunder deferred the first possession to Auburn. With 4th and 1 Auburn scored a touchdown making the score 19-13. The PAT was good and the score was Auburn 20, Thunder 13.

It was the Thunder’s turn and with a 3rd and 4 yards to go Wennmacher scores the touchdown diving into the right hand corner of the end zone. The touchdown would bring the Thunder to within 1 point of tying the game 2 to win. The decision was made to go for a 2-point conversion. The play was executed to the left and the Thunder would be hit behind the line and would fumble the ball. The game would end with the score Thunder 19, Auburn 20.

STATS

BOX SCORE

SCORING SUMMARY

2Q / 6:38 / Corey Wennmacher (#10) to Jake Billon (#31) / 10-yard pass / PAT no good / 6 points
2Q / 56.7 / Ken Anderson (#22) / 5-yard run / PAT good / 7 points
3Q / 6:35 / Jake Billon (#31) / 5-yard run / 2-point good / 8 points
3Q / 4:43 / Ken Anderson (#22) / 9-yard run / PAT good / 7 points

OFFENSIVE STATS

DEFENSE STATS

SPECIAL TEAMS STATS