Knights find intensity in big victory
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No comments [ Add Comment ]By DENNIS LARSEN
Standard-Examiner staff
dlarsen@standard.net
SLIDESHOW: Northridge vs Mountain Crest football game highlights
LAYTON -- Each week, the Knights discover something new about themselves.
Minus three offensive starters, including two down linemen, and not having fullback Peni Maka'afi during the second half, Northridge still put five touchdowns on the board.
Converting three interceptions into 14 points Friday, the Knights spanked previously unbeaten Mountain Crest 35-21 in Northridge Stadium.
The Knights finished non-league play 2-1, and may get injured center Gavin Farr, guard Cody Harris and Maka'afi back for next week's Region 1 opener at Weber High.
Maka'afi ran for 19 yards on five carries before spraining his ankle in the first quarter.
"Peni tried it a couple of times, but the trainer wouldn't let him come back in," Northridge coach Erik Thompson said. "The plan was to run Peni, so we changed the game plan at halftime. We went to more one-back and empty backfield, and let Junior (Cole) do his thing. Other than his scrambling, we went 7-on-7 and tried to throw it."
The Knights defeated Mountain Crest for the first time at home, leading the abbreviated series 2-1 with their second straight win over the Mustangs (2-1 overall).
Cole completed 14-of-23 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns with one interception -- on Northridge's first possession. He ran for 84 yards and a TD on 18 carries, with the Knights having 130 yards rushing.
"I'm happy with us scoring 35 points and getting three picks," Thompson said. "We found out we can win without Gavin and Peni. It will be nice if Gavin and Cody can play next week, but they each have to get a doctor's release. They bring a lot of intensity to the offensive line.
"Eighty percent of the time the OL got the job done," he said. "I'm extremely happy with them."
Wideout Chris Washington had six receptions for 106 yards and three touchdowns.
"This is definitely the best I've run the offense, especially with three starters out," the 17-year-old Cole said. "We had a mismatch with Washington."
