2002 In Review

Week 5

Friday September 29, 2006

Versus

West Perry

A Battle of Unbeatens with the Bears Coming Home

They might not say so, but every Northern football player has had September 29^th circled on their calendars since the 2006 football schedule was released. Not because of homecoming, but because that’s when the West Perry Mustangs and Ibrahim Smith would be coming to Dillsburg. Smith is an incredibly talented football player who was averaging 183 yards rushing per game and the Mustang team was unbeaten at 4-0 coming in to Bostic. Neither would leave that way. The Polar Bears 35-0, mercy-rule victory was a statement game not only for the Colonial division of the Mid-Penn, but for District 3 football.

Once again, Northern scored on their opening drive of the game when Dane Eichelberger went in from 10 yards out. Following their kick off, the Northern Defense absolutely shut down West Perry and Smith. This was the scenario all night long. West Perry could not get anything going offensively at all. Coach Wise’s defense utterly shut down the Mustangs holding West Perry to one completed pass for 7 yards and 2 interceptions while on the ground, they gained only 63 yards with Smith totaling 25. On the Mustangs deepest penetration of the night, Jake Scott stripped Smith of the ball at the Bears 25 yard line. Northern recovered the fumble and didn’t allow West Perry to get that close again.

Offensively, Northern was a machine. They ran the ball at will with Gerald Anderson, Mike Davies, and Dane Eichelberger. Gerald hit the century mark again with 14 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown. Dane rushed for 55 yards and 2 touchdowns while Mike ran for 22 tough yards and 1 touchdown. Ryan Stephenson led all receivers with 3 grabs for 67 yards and 1 score. QB Chad Halterman was on target all night hitting three different receivers for 120 yards and the touchdown to Stephenson.

With the win, Northern rolls to 5-0, 2-0 in the Colonial and in the driver’s seat for the remaining five games of the season. This week the Bears will travel to two hours north to Milton for a non-conference game against the Black Panthers. Milton is 2-3 on the season and are coming off a 28-18 victory against winless Shikellamy. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Let’s travel well with the team and invade Northumberland County.

Next Week vs. Milton at Milton Area High School

Kickoff is at 7:30 P.M.