Cougars’ season comes to an end

 

Northeast’s football season came to an end as the Irish  of Falls City Sacred Heart eliminated them in the second round of the State Playoffs by the score of 56-14.

 

It all came down to the Cougars’ inability to stop the run.   After a fruitless first three possessions of trying to pass on the Cougars, the Irish turned to the ground game.  They got their opening scoring on a read option from 23 yards out.

 

Northeast had the lead for a short part of the first quarter.  After the Northeast’s ground attack was stuffed by FCSH, they went to the air.  Alex Brehmer connected with Taylor Fuston for a 50 yard gain.  Alex Brehmer finished off the drive with a 10 yard run.  A PAT pass to Marcus Hegy had LDNE on top 8-7.

 

FCSH came roaring back with three breakaway TD runs.  Another read option run by Chaz Dunn covered 39 yards.  It was followed by two sprints by Sawyer Kean from beyond midfield.

 

Northeast broke into the scoring column shortly before half.  Marcus Hegy made a one hand catch in the back of the end zone.  The half ended with the Cougars trailing 29-14.

 

The second half was all Irish as Kean scored four times.  The 165 pound junior had a career-high night as he finished with 6 touchdowns.  He carried the ball 20 times and gained 288 yards.

 

Northeast made it to the Red Zone three times in the second half.  They turned the ball over on downs each time.  In the third quarter FCSH wrestled an interception away from a Cougar receiver on a 4th and 11 from the twelve yard line. The last drive of the game ended  when FCSH broke up a pass to  Dakota Riecken on a fourth and goal.

 

“Our lack of size hurt us in the Red Zone,” said Coach Maresh.  “We were losing the battle up front.  Our running game was not as effective as in previous games and Alex had no time to pass.”

 

The coach gave the FCSH team many compliments. “They were a complete team. Their kicker gave them hidden yards as returns were hard to come by.  Their defense was very good  and aggressive.  Their roster was deep.  They wore us down.”

 

Alex Brehmer finished his career with 144 rushing yards on 28 carries.  He was forced to pass 34 times and competed 10 for another 133 yards.  Chevy Henneman had a tough night as he gained only 32 yards, 22 coming on one run, while carrying the ball 11 times.  He did complete a halfback pass for 25 yards.

 

Henneman caught 1 pass for 17 Yards.  Dakota Riecken caught 6 passes for 56 yards.  Marcus Hegy snagged 2 throws for 10 yards. and Taylor Fuston 2 for 75 yards.

 

The Cougars had 331 totals yards.  A season low of 173 came from rushing and 158 from passing.  The Irish totaled 403 yards- 360 rushing and 43 passing.

 

Dakota Riecken finished off a stellar defensive career with 15 tackles.  Brehmer had 8 including 2 TFLs. Chevy Henneman had 9.  Taylor Fuston picked off a pass shortly before half time.

 

After finishing with  8-2 record Maresh added, “We had a rooster of 17 this season.  I don’t think that we could have gotten any more out of them.  It’s sad to  see the season end. It was really enjoyable the way the community backed us.  The road trip to Daykin and way the town turned out to cover our field with plastic before the rain shows what small town life is about.”

FCSH              15        14        20        7          -56

LDNE              8          6          0          0          -14

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

LDNE              0          FCSH  7

Dunn                            23 Yard Run

                                    PAT    Haralabidis Kick

 

LDNE              8          FCSH              7

Brehmer                       10 Yard Run

                                    PAT     Hegy Pass Reception

 LDNE              8          FCSH              15

Dunn                            39 Yard Run

                                    PAT     Kean Run

 

Second Quarter

 

LDNE              8          FCSH              22

Kean                            48 Yard Run

                                    PAT  Haralabidis Kick

 

LDNE              8          FCSH              29

Kean                            45 Yard Run

                                    PAT Haralabidis Kick

 

LDNE              14        FCSH              29

Hegy                            9 Yard Pass from Brehmer

                                    PAT  failed

 

Third Quarter

 

LDNE              14        FCSH              36

Kean                            1 Yard Run

                                    PAT Haralabidis Kick

 

LDNE              14        FCSH              43

Kean                            57 Yard Run

                                    PAT Haralabidis Kick

 

LDNE              14        FCSH              49

Kean                            9 Yard Run

                                    PAT   Kick blocked

Fourth Quarter

 

LDNE              14        FCSH              56

Kean                            3 Yard Run

                                    PAT Haralabidis Kick