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Grizzlies rout Nighthawks

The Grizzlies post 200-plus yards both in the air and on the ground

Marshall Helmberger
Posted 10/5/17

BABBITT— North Woods claimed its fourth straight Section 7 Nineman victory as they routed the winless Nighthawks 47-8 before a homecoming crowd here last Friday. The Grizzlies pretty much did it …

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Grizzlies rout Nighthawks

The Grizzlies post 200-plus yards both in the air and on the ground

Posted

BABBITT— North Woods claimed its fourth straight Section 7 Nineman victory as they routed the winless Nighthawks 47-8 before a homecoming crowd here last Friday. The Grizzlies pretty much did it all, posting 200-plus yards both in the air and on the ground, while holding Northeast Range to just 176 yards of total offense.

“The whole team looked good,” said North Woods Head Coach John Jirik. “We were able to both pass and run pretty effectively. That’s been one of our strengths.”

The Nighthawks struggled defensively, as they have all season. Adding to their woes was the absence of senior linebacker and offensive end Chase Bialke. The one bright spot for the Nighthawks was their fourth-quarter touchdown, which came on a two-yard run by eighth-grade quarterback Ty Fabish.

Several North Woods players put up impressive numbers, including senior runningback Brendan Parson, who racked up 164 yards on just four carries, including a 90-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and a 55-yard run in the second. Senior quarterback Tate Olson completed six of ten passes for 153 yards, including two touchdown strikes, both to junior wide receiver Tanner Barto.

Olson also scored on a two-yard, first quarter scamper into the end zone.

Junior Chase Kleppe, who filled in for Olson for much of the game, completed two of two passes for 42 yards.

Sophomore Clay Janssen had a big day defensively with nine tackles, followed by juniors Stefen Johansen and Blake Scofield, with eight tackles apiece.

Dylan Day added six tackles, while junior Alex Byram tallied five.

The Grizzlies face three tough matchups as high school football heads into its final two weeks. They face a powerful 4-1 South Ridge team on Friday, followed by 3-2 Floodwood for the Grizzlies’ homecoming on Thursday, Oct. 12. They finish their regular season on the road, on Wednesday, Oct. 18, against the 3-2 Timberwolves.

“We’re going to have to be much better at stopping strong running teams,” said Jirik, noting that both South Ridge and Ely typically bring a relentless rushing attack to every matchup. “That’s true of South Ridge, in particular,” said Jirik.

The Nighthawks head to Mt. Iron-Buhl on Friday. They head to head to South Ridge on Oct. 13 and host 1-3 Silver Bay in the regular season finale on Wednesday, Oct. 18.