This Friday, we witnessed a classic high school football game ay Spuller Stadium in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Northrop Bruins were welcoming all past and present Northrop grads/students for their homecoming game. Going into the game, the Bruins hadn’t beaten the Bishop Dwenger Saints since the 2012 season. They came close back in 2016 (lost in OT 31-28) and 2019 (9-7 loss).
This year, things just felt different. Although Dwenger had showcased their typical run-heavy offense and big and strong defense, this year’s Northrop squad has the resiliency past teams didn’t have. This is a team that never seems to be out of a game no matter the score. Entering the 4th quarter against Dwenger this past Friday, the Saints had a 11-6 lead. A 6-yard rushing touchdown by Dwenger’s Houston Ellinger and a successful extra point gave the Saints a 18-6 lead with 9:50 left in the 4th quarter. Just when it seemed as if the game was out of reach for the Bruins they fought back quickly with a pair of rushing touchdowns by Levi Portee. The second one would end up being the game-winning touchdown.
Both Portee and Kobe Reese had phenomenal games on the ground that helped secure this victory for the Bruins. Reese finished with 14 carries for 84 yards and 1 touchdown and Portee finished with 7 rushes for 53 yards and 2 touchdowns. As juniors, both running backs have created a buzz for college programs to keep an eye on both of them. Both are 6’0 and about 160-170 pounds with a ton of speed and agility.
Ultimately, it was a team win for the Bruins. Their defense did a great job helping them get back into the game. One player that seemed to be all over the place was senior Dee Hogue. He finished with 13 total tackles, 10 solo and 2 for a loss to go along with an interception. Senior Anthony Harris intercepted a pass from Dwenger’s Henry Jordan on the 16-yard line with five minutes left to go in the game before Northrop was able to run the clock out.
Team captain and Ohio State commit Jerquaden Guilford was held to only one reception (had another one that was called back due to penalty) by Dwenger’s defense. He still seemed in very high spirits since the team came out with the victory. I was able to catch up with Guilford after the huge victory over Dwenger,
“They did what they were supposed to do and take me out the game. But everyone needs to realize we have playmakers. It’s not just me on this team. We got dogs on both sides of the ball. Ya’ll gonna watch out for us. We’re coming for everything,” Guilford replied.
I also asked him about the team’s ability to come back multiple times this season to secure a victory.
“We’re comfortable in uncomfortable situations. We knew what we could do and we came out and did just that,” Guilford added.
It was a team win that keeps the Bruins in the midst of a tight race for the Summit Athletic Conference title. Northrop, Dwenger, North Side, Carroll, Homestead, and Bishop Luers are all 3-1 in the conference. Bruins head coach Quentin Bowen seemed very pleased with his team’s effort to pull out this victory for the program.
“The game was a battle of two tough defenses. When we were struggling our ground game got us going. Happy to pull that one out,” coach Bowen replied. It’s rivalry week in the SAC, so the Bruins are preparing for their battle against a struggling Snider Panthers program that the Bruins haven’t beaten in 26 years. It’ll be another huge week to watch out for in the SAC.