Bluejays Look Strong Against Indians
The Norton Bluejays came to Greene Field Friday evening for high school football. The Bluejays dominated the contest from the beginning and handed the Indians a discouraging 8-53 loss. The Indian offense had difficulty moving the ball throughout the evening, and the defense gave up numerous big plays resulting in a wide point spread.
Norton received the opening kickoff and returned the ball to their own 27 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, the Bluejays carried the ball all the way to mid-field but fumbled. Mike Leibbrandt recovered the ball for the Indians at the Norton 49 yard line.
After gaining six yards in three plays from scrimmage, the Indians faced 4th and 4 and punted the ball away. Norton took over on their own 21 yard line.
Soon, Norton's Jordan Wahlmeier found Jacob Brooks for a 76 yard touchdown pass play. The PAT kick was short. The Indians trailed 0-6 early in the contest.
St. Francis returned the kickoff to the 26 yard line, but an illegal use of hands penalty moved the ball back to the 16. The Indians soon faced 4th and 1 and punted for the second time.
After the punt, Norton set their offense on their own 29 yard line. The Indian defense held the Bluejays, and the ball was punted back to the Indians.
The punt was mishandled by Wyatt Landenberger and the Bluejays recovered on the St. Francis 35 yard line. A few plays later, Trey Millan scored on a 4 yard run. The PAT kick was good. The Indians were down 0-13 with 4:40 left in the first period.
Landenberger returned the kickoff to the 29 yard line. Three plays later, the Indians faced 4th and 10 and punted again. The punt was muffed by Norton, but the Bluejays recovered on the Sainty 44 yard line. This Norton drive was completed by a 1 yard touchdown run by Tye Nickell with 19 seconds left in the 1st quarter. The PAT sailed left, but Norton was ahead 0-19 early in the contest.
St. Francis mishandled the kickoff and were trapped on the 5 yard line deep in their own territory. On the first play of the possession, Thomas Douthit rambled 95 yards for an Indian touchdown. The conversion run by Douthit was also good. The score stood at 8-19 with 11:44 left in the first half.
It didn't take Norton long to answer as Nickell returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards to paydirt. The PAT snap was mishandled and the kick failed. The score clock clicked to 8-25 with 11:32 remaining in the period.
The Indians set up on the 20 yard line after the kickoff entered the end zone. The Indians could not advance the ball and punted again.
Norton began their possession on their own 47 yard line. The Indian defense held, and the ball was punted back to the Indians. Norton was gaining field position as the ball was downed on the St. Francis 1 yard line.
Three plays later, the Indians punted the ball back to the Jays. The ball was returned to the Sainty 23 yard line. On second down, Norton's Millan scored on a 19 yard touchdown run with 4:41 left in the half. The PAT kick was good. The score stood at 8-32.
St. Francis advanced the ball to their own 11 yard line on the kickoff return. A few plays later, with 3:17 remaining in the half, the Indians earned their 1st first down of the game. After the next set of downs, the Indians faced 4th and 18 and were again forced to punt.
Norton returned the punt to the Indian 11 yard line with 1:05 remaining. On the first play from scrimmage, the Bluejays were in the end zone again. Millan scored on an 11 yard run. The kick was good. The score moved to 8-39 with 1:00 left in the 1st half.
The Indians set up at the 27 yard line after the kickoff. The clock expired after a couple plays. Norton held a commanding lead at halftime, 8-39.
The Indians received the second half kickoff and advanced the ball to the 18 yard line. The Indians moved the ball to the 34, but were forced to punt the ball away on downs.
Norton soon found their way to the end zone again - this time on a 52 yard run around the left side by Wahlmeier. The PAT kick was good. The Indians were down 8-46 with 7:41 left in the 3rd period.
St. Francis again punted after three plays of offense. Norton had a nice punt return, but it was called back due to an illegal block. The Bluejays set up on the Norton 28 yard line. The Indian defense forced a 4th and 17 situation, and Norton punted.
St. Francis had good field position, beginning on their own 47 yard line. A couple plays later, Norton intercepted a pass by Butler stop the Indian offense.
Setting up on their own 24 yard line, the Bluejays soon connected on a long pass play. It looked as if the Bluejays were going to score on the play, but the receiver was brought down by Mike Leibbrandt with a touchdown saving effort. Norton was facing 2nd and goal at the 8 yard line when the third period horn sounded.
Brooks scored for Norton on a 6 yard run with 11:16 to go. The PAT kick was good. The Indians were on the short end of a lop-sided score, 8-53.
Due to the 40-point spread, the clock ran continuously for the remainder of the game. St. Francis began their possession on their own 25 yard line and punted the ball back to the Bluejays after three plays did not result in a first down.
Norton set up on their own 31 yard line. On 2nd down, the Bluejays fumbled, and the ball was recovered by Cade Bracelin on the Norton 41.
The Indians turned the ball over on downs at mid-field. The game ended with the Indians smarting from an 8-53 outing.
The Indians will host the Holyoke Dragons on Greene Field on Friday, September 16th at 8:00 PM. The game will be the 2011 Homecoming game.
Click the photos to see more photos!
