Woodland thumps league-leading Southwest, 28-0
Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006
Woodland’s defense pitched a shutout and the offense came alive Thursday night as the Cowboys blanked the Southwest Cougars 28-0 at Harmon Field. The Cowboys ’ defense continues its impressive run, giving up just 16 points through four games.
Few folks would’ve guessed the final score after a 0-0 stalemate at the half. The Cougars had their chances with a pair of firsthalf drives deep into Woodland’s territory but came away with no points due in large part to penalties.
“ We had some unfortunate holding penalties and those things kind of slow you down, ” Southwest coach Bruce Matthews said. “ When you get down in scoring territory, you can’t make those kinds of mistakes. ”
The Cowboys, after gaining just 70 yards in the opening half, ended the night with 358 yards; 133 yards passing, 225 rushing. Michael Heintzman had a big night with 199 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including touchdown runs of 52 and 69 yards. Quarterback J. T. McCormick was 5-of-6 for 133 yards including an 88-yard touchdown strike to Reid Murry.
Woodland coach Bobby Crockett was proud of his skill-position players but gave all credit to the big guys up front.
“ Offensively, it was the offensive line: Nathan Watson, Cody Gall, Jonah Lilly, Will Watson, Bobby Nefzger, and fullback Doug Wolf. Those are the MVPs tonight, ” Crockett said.
The loss knocks Southwest (3-1, 2-1 ) out of the NWAC’s top spot into a tie with the Cowboys (3-1, 2-1 ).
Woodland found the end zone on its first possession of the second half. Heintzman carried four times for 30 yards, setting the Cowboys up at the Cougars’ 32-yard line. McCormick hit Nick Humphries for 8 yards and then found Wolf for 10 to set up a first-and-goal from the 6. Heintzman finished up, going in from 2-yards out. Will Rosteck’s PAT made it 7-0 Woodland with 2: 38 left in the third quarter.
After forcing Southwest to go three-and-out, Woodland needed just one play to double the score. Heintzman broke several tackles and wouldn’t be denied the 52-yard run and score.
On the next possession, Gareth Booth sacked Cougars’ quarterback Reid Joseph for a 13-yard loss, forcing yet another punt by Southwest.
Again, Woodland struck quickly. A pair of 3-yard losses just set the stage for a longer touchdown pass. On third-and-16 from Southwest’s 12, Murry somehow hauled in a McCormick pass with a defender on his back and outran everyone to finish off the 88-yard score, giving the Cowboys a 21-0 lead early in the fourth period.
Late in the quarter, McCormick handed off to Heintzman, hoping to burn a little clock. What Woodland got, however, was a 69-yard dash down the left sideline for the score. Brandon Sikes added the PAT for the final margin.
“ Our game plan worked out to perfection, ” Crockett said. “ Defensively, they had a wide open, potent offense and our kids did what they were coached to do tonight. ”
The Cougars never could get their offense on track. Joseph had a tough night, completing just 1-of-13 for two yards. J. T. Bowen led the rushing attack with 77 yards and Houston Pruitt followed up with 45 yards on five carries.
“ Normally we mix up the pass and run real well, ” Matthews said. “ We just weren’t on tonight. We weren’t throwing the ball with any accuracy. We had time to throw it most of the time but we just couldn’t connect. ”
Next up for Woodland is a home date with Rogers Oakdale while Southwest travels to Bentonville Gold.
In the eighth-grade game, Woodland edged Southwest 28-21. Brandon Allen led the Cowboys (3-1 ) with a 56-yard touchdown run and three TD passes to Troy Underwood. Underwood’s 80-yard catch and score broke a 21-21 fourthquarter tie. For the Cougars (1-3 ), Devin Bryan ran in a score from 43-yards out and Evan Wright hauled in a 45-yard scoring toss.
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