2008 Big Spring

Week 10

Northern Crushes Big Spring in

Regular Season Finale

Polar Bears Finish as #8 Seed in the District Three Playoff Bracket

Will Host Daniel Boone in the 1^st Round

October 31, 2008

Northern 46 – Big Spring 7

Much credit has to go to the Coaches and Players when they enter a contest as big a favorite on paper as Northern was last night and yet, remained focused on the prize. Northern entered the game with a 6-3 record hoping to maintain their position in the District 3 seedings against a Big Spring club with only two wins in the past two seasons. Human nature dictates that it’s easy to let up and not give it your all against an opponent who you are supposed to beat but that is simply not the case with the 2008 Northern Polar Bears. Each Bear that walked onto the field gave 110% as the team did what it was supposed to do.

It beat the Bulldogs handily and secured its 5^th straight appearance in the PIAA District 3 Playoffs.

Northern scored early and often on the ground, through the air, and on special teams. Joe Tuschak was nearly perfect throwing for two touchdowns while the Northern ground game platooned for 182 yards. Ryan Aumiller had three grabs, one for a touchdown and one that qualifies for a highlight reel circus catch. Robbie Bleiler found the endzone twice and Luke Barricklow showed off his jets with an 88 yard kickoff return for a score. Defensively, the Bears swarmed and hit. Antonio Myers was a wrecking crew as was Matt Murphy. At the end of the first half, Northern run up 39 points and held the Bulldogs to negative yardage. The second half started under the “Mercy Rule” but mercy was short lived when Barricklow took the opening kickoff 88 yards. At 46-0, the younger Bears got their chance under the Friday Night Lights and all acquitted themselves well.

The win secured home field for Northern in the 1^st round of the District 3 playoffs. They will host the Blazers from Daniel Boone who ended Northern’s run last year in the 2^nd round. Boone also comes in with a 7-3 record fresh off a 48-33 victory over winless Exeter. Boone is also well coached and will definitely come to play. Northern is 1-1 against Daniel Boone in their history. The teams had no common opponents this year but are evenly matched. Boone QB, Jon Monteiro, threw for 284 yards last week against Muhlenburg to set the Berks single-season passing record, with 2,342 yards. According to the Reading Eagle, that ranks #2 in the State. The game next week should be fantastic with the winner making some serious noise in the playoff bracket.