Game Date: October 7, 2022 7:00PM PST | Photography by: Sandrine Scherson
Senior stalwart RB Adam Harper ran for over 100 yards including three touchdowns and passed for another on an option play, all in the first half to lead 6-1 Northwood HS to a 41-22 victory over city rival Fri night at University HS.
Fighting back from a 35-0 first half deficit, UHS rallied for three second half major scores. The first was an 83-yard Koa Saito to Blaine Anderson pass play to break the ice. Anderson made a leaping catch, stayed on his feet evading tacklers before cutting clear across the field and down the other sideline into the end zone. Anderson had 6 catches for 115 yards, his 5th 100-yard receiving game this season. The junior wideout has 750 receiving yards and 9 TDs on the year and surpassed the 1,000 yard mark in his career.
Junior QB Koa Saito completed 9 of 24 passes for 154 yards before giving way to Soph pivot Zach Malek. Malek also passed the century mark in the air going 6 for 22 for 113 yards. Malek hit junior TE Andrew Bogard with two tosses for 72 yards (one for 48 yards) and Jr Skye Murphy with two more for 11 yards (including a 5-yard TD pass). Murphy kicked two extra points and was excited to get some snaps at wide receiver and find the end zone. Junior Jonathan Soto caught three passes for 56 yards (all for first downs) while Soph Damari Carter snatched two for 13 yards.
Junior Jai Williams had a very active night carrying the ball nine times for 53 yards, including his 7th rushing TD of the year. He also caught his 3rd two-point convert pass reception of the season on a broken play scramble from holder Saito. Williams’ orange shoes were harder to see on “Pink Out” night, but he was very active on defense with nine tackles (including three for loss), an offensive fumble recovery and a blocked PAT.
Junior Brooks Beckmann came to play being involved in eight tackles (including a QB sack), breaking up two passes, intercepting his 2nd pass of the season (returning it for 25 yards) and returning three kickoffs for 35 yards.
Senior DE Devin Fowler had eight tackles (two for loss). Senior LB Chris Rue and Junior DL Richard Bines each had half a dozen tackles.
On the night Northwood had 396 yards (202 ground, 194 air) and 19 first downs. The Trojans notched 299 yards (267 passing and 32 running). 2-5 Uni plays at Portola next Friday with a clean slate as league play starts.