The Catawba Ridge Copperheads overcame early mistakes to run through the Nation Ford Falcons.
The Copperheads won 45-23 improving to 4-3 on the season and 2-1 in Region 3-4A, while Nation Ford fell to 1-7 overall and 1-3 in the region.
“Defense line has been working really hard,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Zac Lendyak. “They bought into the game plan and it showed.”
With momentum from last week’s wins still in the back of their minds, both teams needed to keep things moving in a positive direction.
One thing that was a little different in the game was that Tyler Klipa stepped in as head coach tonight for Nation Ford, as head coach Jake Bentley was out with the birth of his second child, who made his debut with an early appearance on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Catawba Ridge took the opening kick and fumbled two plays into the game giving the ball to the Falcons at the Copperheads 33-yard line.
Nation Ford quarterback Ben Falkner got the start again after leading Nation Ford to a win last week against Lake Wylie. The Falcons got to the 6-yard line but couldn’t punch it in.
Logan Thames then turned around and picked off Will Gambrill at the Copperheads 11-yard line to give the ball right back to the Falcons. Banks Demby then scored in three plays for Nation Ford to put them ahead 7-0 with 7:18 left in the first quarter.
“Not the way you wanted to start the game with two turnovers in the first three plays,” Lendyak said. “But the defense found a way to keep them out of the end zone on that first drive. We were able to withstand some chaos at the beginning. The game plan kicked in and we found some success.”
Catawba Ridge’s struggled on their third series and was forced to punt. Their defense held Nation Ford as they finally were able to put together a scoring drive once, they got the ball back.
On the next Copperheads drive, Boston Halpin found the end zone on a 2-yard run to tie the game capping off an eight play drive by Catawba Ridge.
Falkner got picked off by Lucas McCauley trying to avoid a sack in the end zone on the Falcons next drive. Gambrill then hit Colten McCauley for a 27-yard touchdown pass on the next play to put Catawba Ridge.
To open the second quarter, Nation Ford tried a fake punt into a pass that led to an incompletion as the Copperheads took over near the red zone. Three plays later, Colten McCauley caught a 19-yard touchdown pass extending the Copperheads lead.
Catawba Ridge put together their longest drive of the half as they would score on a 12-play drive capped off by Halpin 1-yard plunge.
The Copperheads offense continued to push the pace as they would score again with a catch 29 seconds left in the first half as Gambrill threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Rocheleau.
Nation Ford broke the scoring run of Catawba Ridge as Micah Enns hit a 43-yard field goal while time expired to send the Falcons into the locker room on a high note.
Nation Ford struggled on offense in the first half as they had just 102 yards passing between Asher Beck, who had a 39-yard pass on a Flea Flicker, and Falkner. Rushing the Falcons had negative five yards on the ground at the half.
The Falcons got good field position to start the second half, but a bad snap led to a fumble recovery by Catawba Ridge’s Alex Johnson.
Three plays later, Colten McCauley caught his third touchdown pass of the game from Gambrill to make it 42-10 for Catawba Ridge.
As strong as the Catawba Ridge offense was, their run defense was even better keeping Nation Ford in the negative in their rushing attack.
In the fourth quarter, Nation Ford made things look more respectable as Falkner found Graham Lee for a 24-yard touchdown pass with about 8:47 left in the game.
Catawba Ridge’s offense wasn’t as strong in the second half but still managed to find points. Josh Crick hit a 36-yard field goal with about five minutes remaining in the game for the Copperheads.
Nation Ford kept swinging for the fence as in their next series, Falkner hit Lee over the middle for an 80-yard touchdown pass.
Gambrill finished with four passing touchdowns for Catawba Ridge going 18-of-29 for 239 yards and an interception. Colten McCauley caught five passes for 135 yards and three of those touchdowns, while Rocheleau caught eight passes for 76 yards and a score. Halpin rushed for 82 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns.
Nation Ford was led offensively by Falkner wo has 10-for-29 for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdowns were caught by Lee who had four catches for 146 yards. Demby led the Falcons in rushing with 19 yards on eight carries, but as a team Nation Ford has 19 for negative 25 yards running the ball.
Next week, Nation Ford host York, while Catawba Ridge host South Pointe.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
