2002 In Review

Week 9

Friday October 29, 2004

Versus

Big Spring High School

BEARS CLINCH A SHARE OF THE MID-PENN COLONIAL BEATING THE BULLDOGS 30-27

A win, is a win, is a win……. Someone, much smarter than me, said that once and boy did that cliché come home last night. On a dreary, foggy, misty evening in Newville last night, the Bears did something they haven't had to do much at all this season; they came from behind to win. Initially, it looked like this game would go the way the previous three had when Colby Betz hit Drew Romagnoli in the flat and Drew raced 56 yards for the first score of the game. That would be all the scoring in the first quarter however, as the defending Colonial Champion Bulldogs came to play. In the second quarter, Big Spring got on the board when QB Kyle Ebersole took it around the end and scored on the keeper from 12 yards out. Northern scored again when Colby hit brother Corey from 17 yards out on a beautiful pass that Corey had to fight two defenders off to gather in for the TD. Ebersole led the Bulldogs right back down the field but, with 17 seconds left in the half, he threw a pass that was picked off by Drew Romagnoli at the 5 yard line. Drew then ran 95 yards for a touchdown and after Brent Brockman's extra point, it looked like Northern would take a 21-7 lead into the locker room.

Nope.

With .3 seconds to go in the half, Ebersole threw a bomb which looked to be intercepted by Ryan Shaw. Ryan lost control of the ball (which was subsequently ruled a fumble) and Bulldog Chris Barrick picked it up at the 5 yard line and took it in. The controversial call ultimately resulted in Big Spring scoring at the half. The missed extra point made it 21-13. The 3rd quarter was all Big Spring as they scored on two possessions and stopped the Bears on a goal-line-stand on 4th and 2. The teams traded possessions in the 4th quarter until with the aid of a bad punt snap, the Bears took over the ball at the Bulldog 30 with less than three minutes to play. Northern ground out 29 and a half yards on runs by Colby Betz, Mike Romagnoli, and Jimmy Miller. With 1:02 left in the game, Colby snuck the ball over the Polar Bear line for the touchdown and the Bears went back on top 30-27. After a good kickoff return, Big Spring drove the length of the field setting up a 1st and goal from Northern's 6 yard line with 13 seconds on the clock. Twice, Ebersole went through the air to give Big Spring the win but both passes were overthrown on tight Northern coverage. It all came down to the Bulldog kicker with 2.7 seconds left. A too many men on the field call backed the Bulldogs up to the 23 and as time expired, the kick sailed wide left.

Northern moves to 8-1 on the season and 5-0 in the league. They now have a share of Mid-Penn Colonial title and will play for the Championship outright next week at Bostic Stadium against the 8-1 West Perry Mustangs. Next week's game will also have a dramatic impact on the District 3, AAA playoff seedings with both Northern and West Perry competing for one of eight spots. Meantime, Big Spring deserves a ton of credit as they gave Northern all they could handle. It was a terrific High School football game. Congratulations to both programs.

Final Score

Northern 30

Big Spring 27

Next Week Vs. West Perry at Bostic. Senior Night! Kickoff is at 7:30 P.M.