Jackson High 19
Northwest 13
Withington Stadium
Sept. 6, 1985This story has been republished from the Leslie Local.
"Mounties Lose Tough Game"
By Jeff Rietsma
If Friday night's varsity football game at Jackson High is any indication of what kind of year the Northwest Mounties are in for, then it's going to be another long and frustrating season.
The Mounties looked very sharp and played consistent football, but ended up losing to the Vikings of Jackson High, 19-13.
On a very hot and muggy night, the two teams played in a clean game on the wet, slippery artificial turf at Withington Stadium.
The Mounties received the opening kick-off and didn't waste much time getting on the scoreboard. Seniors Kevin Miller and Ed Mosson took turns running the ball until Miller broke through the Viking defense to score on a two-yard run with 8:31 remaining in the first quarter. Dave Weller chipped in the extra point to give the Mounties a quick 7-0 lead. The Northwest sideline was filled with electricity.
That celebration came to a quick end when Jackson's Chris Simpson returned the following kick-off 93 yards for an apparent touchdown, but a clipping penalty on the Vikings brought the ball back to their 14 yard line. The Northwest defense held Jackson scoreless in the first quarter, to keep a 7-0 lead going into the second quarter.
Jackson High finally got on the board at 8:33 in the second quarter on a 67 yard drive that took six plays.
Later in the same quarter, the running efforts of seniors Bruce Thomas, Jay Ciokajlo, and junior Ross Dandurand, enabled Northwest to score with 4:04 left in the half. The 70-yard series was capped by a six-yard run by workhorse, Ed Mosson.
The try for a two-point conversion failed, as Northwest gripped a 13-7 halftime lead.
Both teams played tough in the third quarter, holding each other scoreless.
But with 11:14 left in the game, Jackson High started their comeback rally with a touchdown. They failed on the two-point attempt, and the score was tied, 13-13.
Tension mounted later in the fourth quarter. With 3:14 left to play, the score tied, Jackson was fouth-and-five on Northwest's 12-yard line. The Mountie defense stopped the Vikings right in their tracks, but a personal foul penalty was charged to Northwest that gave Jackson the five yards they needed for the first down, and the opportunity to score. They did just that with 2:28 remaining. The visions of victory for Northwest turned to horror and disgust, particularly for head coach Tom Goodwin.
The only chance Northwest had was with 37 seconds left to play, the Mounties had the ball on Jackson's 28-yard line with fourth-and-eight to go. Quarterback Scott Robertson's pass sailed over Mosson's head, and the game was history.
By looking at the statistics, the Mounties held the upper hand in almost every category.
They lead Jackson in total yards, 300-259. Scott Robertson completed two passes in eight attempts for 41 yards. Jackson High didn't even attempt a pass. Both teams had 13 first downs. Jackson was penalized, 85 yards to Northwest's 55 yards. Neither team committed a turnover.
Individually, Ed Mosson led Northwest's fine running game with 89 yards. Jay Ciokajlo headed Northwest's defense with five tackles.
But the important statistic was the final score, and that was in Jackson's favor.
Mountie coach Tom Goodwin refused to talk after the game.
Northwest drops to 0-1 for the season, and will face Lansing Catholic Central at home Friday. Kick-off will be at 7:30 p.m.
