Prep Football: Northgate unable to Bear down in loss to state-ranked Griffin
By DOUG GORMAN
dgorman@newnan.com
The Northgate Vikings are going to have to wait at least one more week before notching their first victory of the 2012 campaign.
After going undefeated in the 2011 regular season, host Northgate fell to 0-2 Friday with a 35-6-loss to seventh-ranked Griffin (2-0) at Henry Seldon Field.
“We are a lot better than what we showed even in the scrimmage,” he said. “We know there is a lot of football left to be played.”
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The Vikings played the game without running backs Michael Willis and Benton Washington, but found a reliable replacement in T.J. Womack.
Womack moved from the offensive line to the fullback position this week and made the most of his opportunities, rushing for 127 yards on 18 carries. He also scored the only touchdown of the night for the Vikings with 2:34 left in the third quarter.
Trailing 22-0, Harrison rolled out on fourth down and seven before hitting Womack on a 16-yard screen pass for a touchdown. After the 2-point conversion failed, Griffin lead 22-6.
The touchdown was set up after Northgate inherited its best starting field position of the night after to a 10-yard punt by Griffin gave the Vikings the ball at midfield. Harrison threw three passes during the scoring drive including one for 8 yards to Brandon Facyson, who has been battling injuries and was used sparingly on both sides of the ball.
“He is a good hard-nosed runner,” Walburn said of Womack.”He has played some fullback before, so we didn’t have any problems moving him back to the position.
Womack got his night started, with a 54-yard run in the first half that moved the ball from the Vikings on 6 into Griffin territory, but Northgate was unable to convert.
Northgate’s didn’t control the momentum very long after Womack’s TD. It took the Bears just two plays to find the end zone for their fourth touchdown of the night. It probably should have taken one.
Griffin quarterback Jaquez Parks first play from scrimmage on the ensuing drive was a 79-yard pass Darquavious Mangham.
Mangham raced towards the end zone but dove out at the one. One play later, Parks raced in on the quarterback keeper.
Griffin ended its potent night of offense with one final trip to the in the fourth quarter when back-up quarterback Anforne Stroud moved the Bears 76 yards in five plays. Stroud capped the series with a 56-yard pass to Montico Dodson.
Northgate stopped Griffin on its first two series, before the Bears’ high-octane offense scored on three, first-half possessions.
The Bears rolled up 233 yards of total offense in the first half.
Griffin built a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter when quarterback Jaquez Parks connected with Trey Willis at the end of the first quarter.
Maliek Miller added a second score for Griffin, running the ball out of the Wildcat for the Bears and scoring on a 42-yard run. Miller than added the 2-point conversion to help the Bears take a 15-0 lead.
Griffin added its third touchdown of the first half right before the end of the second quarter when Parks scored on a 5-yard scamper.
Northgate had trouble getting its offense on track in the first two quarters, rolling up just 57 yards and two first downs.
“We were disappointed with how we were moving the ball in the first half,” Walburn said.”We thought we should be done a better job, but I thought we looked a better in the second half.”
Griffin played the game without a penalty being called against them all night. Northgate was whistled for six penalties for 45 yards.
Harrison, who was making just his second varsity start, was 6 of 12 for 70 yards. Parks was 12 of 20 for 178 yards for the Bears.
Northgate stays home next week for a non-region game against North Clayton. A year ago, the Vikings beat North Clayton in the first round of the playoffs.
“I am not sure what they have this year,” Womack said. “We are looking for another tough game."
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SCORING SUMMARY
Griffin 35, Northgate 6
Griffin 7 15 6 7 — 35
Northgate 0 0 6 0 — 6
1st Quarter
G – Jaquez Parks 15 pass to Trey Wills
2nd Quarter
G – Malik Miller 42 run (Miller run)
G – Parks 5 run (Alexis Rivera kick)
3rd Quarter
N – Josh Harrison 16 pass to T.J Womack, (run failed)
G – Miller 1 run (run failed) 28-6
4th Quarter
G -– Stroud 54 yard pass to Montico Dodson, (Alexis Rivera kick)
