2002 In Review

Week 12

Friday November 18, 2005

Versus

Manheim Central

District 3 AAA Semi-Finals

Northern's Fantastic Run Comes to an End

On Friday, September 2, 2005, the stunned Polar Bears stood in a circle around their head coach wondering what had just happened to them on their own field. Upstart AA Bermudian Springs had just beaten them 35-28 sending their hopes for a perfect season crashing to the ground. On Friday, September 9, 2005, the Polar Bears again stood circled around their coach realizing that their second straight loss, this time to AAAA Central York 22-7, had not only ruined all projections for the team but had crippled their hopes for any chance to compete in the November District and State playoffs. Their season in a tailspin, the second guessing would begin in earnest. The pundits began backtracking on their predictions while the rest of the Mid-Penn watched and waited for the wheels to come completely off the wagon.

On Friday, September 16, 2005, the Polar Bears went on the road to face Notre Dame bound Zach Frazer and the rest of the Mechanicsburg Wildcats when lightning struck, for real. It was on this night that the young men from Dillsburg decided for themselves that their season wasn't over, that they shouldn't be an afterthought, and that they were going to be acknowledged. They stood as a team and beat down the Wildcats 22-0 in a lightning storm that shortened the game to 3 quarters and catapulted them to a magnificent run of 9 straight victories and into the PIAA District 3 AAA playoffs.

That run came to an end last night at the hands of the Manheim Central Barons, the defending District 3 and Eastern PA Champions. The Barons are the class of Pennsylvania AAA football and they showed why last night. Even without three of their starters, Manheim coach Mike Williams had the Barons firing on all cylinders. Coming into the game, Northern matched up well. Offensively and defensively the Bears were peaking. But, football is game of funny bounces and momentum. Early on, it appeared that the Bears had the momentum but it was quickly taken by the Barons who would not look back. The Polar Bears left everything they had on the field but it wasn't enough to stop the excellent Barons who will advance to meet Muhlenburg in the District Final next week.

For the Northern Polar Bears, they equaled the success of last year and went as far as any Northern team ever had. They are poised to take the next step with so many underclassmen returning as starters. Offensively, Northern returns 4 starting underclassman not including 3 running backs, all with experience and touchdowns this season. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears return 7 starters. The JV team had a winning season with several players ready to step up to Friday night football and the Freshman team enjoyed success as well to create a large pool of talent to choose from for the 2006 campaign. The bottom line is that Northern Football will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

For the Seniors, thank you!

Thank you for your leadership and excellence. It was a pleasure to share the sidelines with so many fine young men. You have achieved much and will continue to achieve much in the future. Whether you go on to compete in collegiate athletics or choose some other road, you have demonstrated that you will lead wherever you go. Your football career at Northern may be over now, but, you will never be forgotten.

Congratulations Polar Bears on an amazing season.