Posted: 9/7/06
Raiders too much for Tigers on both sides of ball
By Luther Dorr
The statistics did lie a little in Princeton's 28-0 loss at Northfield Friday in the season opener for both teams.
The Tigers had the ball for 40 more seconds than Northfield, had only one turnover compared to two for the Raiders, and ran only seven fewer plays.
But Northfield dominated the game, outgaining Princeton by 283 yards and holding the Tigers to -8 yards on the ground.
Princeton got into Northfield territory four times, once recovering a fumble on the Raider 39.
The deepest penetration, with Northfield leading only 7-0, came on a 36-yard pass completion from Derek Fay to Phillip Klaphake that carried to the Northfield 28 in the second quarter.
But Princeton's one turnover, a fumble, followed on the next play to end that scoring chance and Northfield went 65 yards in four plays to take a 14-0 lead.
The Northfield defense took over after that, nearly a third of Princeton's plays (15) ending up losing yardage (83 yards in losses).
In fact, after it was 14-0 with five minutes left in the first half, Princeton gained only 42 yards the rest of the way.
"We had a plan going in and thought we could run certain plays," said Princeton coach Scott Walquist. "But we never got going.
"We thought we could get outside, get the edge, and we thought we were better at this time than last year. But they were quicker than us."
And on defense the Tigers had to contend with 255-pound running back Anthony Jacobs who is headed to the University of Minnesota to play.
Princeton did a good job on him early, limiting him to nine yards in his first four carries and 43 yards in nine carries for the first half, at which time Northfield led 14-0.
But Jacobs got 89 yards in 13 carries the second half and helped Northfield control the game.
"He ran more side to side against us last year but this year they ran him more inside," Walquist said, "and he's tough to tackle."
And, Walquist said, he thought Northfield's size advantage in their offensive line was a key.
"That was definitely a factor," he said. "And they were quicker and stronger."
Neither team moved the ball well in the first quarter, which ended in a 0-0 tie.
The Tigers got a first down on their third possession and then completed a pass that carried 14 yards to the Northfield 35, only to have a holding penalty nullify the gain. And then quarterback Ryan Fay was thrown for a 10-yard loss while attempting to pass, one of nine times a Princeton quarterback was tackled for a loss.
Princeton had only five yards the first quarter but then got two quick first downs to start the second quarter, only to have Fay thrown for an 11-yard loss.
Northfield started on its 40 after the punt and scored in three plays, Jacobs plowing over from the 1 after a 53-yard completion to tight end Noah Hadro.
"He [Hadro] was hurt last year and didn't play against us, and he's a good player," Walquist said.
Hadro caught three passes for 113 yards.
Princeton's turnover came on its second play from scrimmage after the Northfield score and the Raiders went 65 yards in four plays to score, Northfield's Collin Miller reversing his field to go 30 yards for the touchdown. It was 14-0 with 4:56 to go in the half.
Princeton, with the help of a penalty that nullified a touchdown pass, did keep Northfield from scoring after the Raiders got to the Princeton 3 late in the first half.
But Northfield scored on its second possession of the second half, Hadro catching a 42-yard touchdown pass, and it was 21-0 with 5:33 left in the third period.
Princeton recovered two Northfield fumbles after that to help hold the score down but Jacobs scored again with 8:40 to go in the game.
Princeton used a different defensive alignment than in the past, with five linebackers, but Northfield adjusted and ran inside more than Walquist expected.
Walquist said he thought it was beneficial to play a strong team.
"I remember a few years ago we thumped Zimmerman in the opener and the kids thought we had played well, "he said. "But it didn't really help and this did. I thought our kids did a great job of hanging in there."
Princeton goes to Monticello Friday
Monticello has 13 starters back, two of them good backs, Walquist said.
"We'll have to try to take away the run and make them throw," he said. "But they do have some good skill people returning."
Roman Peloquin ran for 181 yards in 28 carries against Annandale and quarterback David Swardwood was 8 for 31 as a passer with 101 yards.
The lines on each team are similarly sized, according to Walquist.
"We certainly need to establish the offense by getting off the ball and sustaining our blocks," he said.
Walquist considers the game winnable but says the team will have to play well.
Princeton beat Monticello here last year, 25-7, despite playing what the coach termed a sloppy game with nine penalties and two touchdowns called back because of penalties.
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