Northgate’s offensive struggles continued as the Flames traveled to Riverview last Saturday afternoon, where they lost 16-6 in a tough defensive scrap highlighted by runs such as the one by Rob Vickers pictured above. The Flames will celebrate Senior Night in their final home game of the season tonight against North Catholic. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames hit the road again last Saturday, and found themselves engaged in what is becoming a common theme for this team -- another defensive scrap. The 16-6 score doesn't accurately depict the closeness of this game. The Flames lost to the Riverview Raiders, but fought to the very end.

The Flames’ defense held the Raiders scoreless in the first quarter, forcing Riverview to punt after being unable to pick-up a first down on their first two drives.

Northgate had an opportunity to put some points on the scoreboard in the first quarter with a 12-play drive that started on their own 40-yard line. The Raiders got a healthy dose of running back Rob Vickers, and Jon Girvin connected with J.D. Hoover and Rob Jones to move the chains for a first down. However, the wheels on the Northgate offense lost traction as they got into the Raiders' red zone, and they turned the ball over on downs.

The second quarter brought more of the unbending Flames' defense, and the offense continued to try to establish the run game but became bogged down as soon as they managed to get into Raiders’ territory.

Even lineman Conner Doscher got into the act, and he recorded his first reception of the year on a deflected pass from Girvin. Doscher made the catch, and rumbled for a couple yards before being brought down.

With the score still 0 - 0, Mackenzie Quinn recovered a Raiders' fumble late in the second quarter to give the Flames what would be their last possession of the half. After a Joe Hughes run went for a loss, a Girvin pass was intercepted and returned deep into Northgate territory.The Flames' defensive backs broke up four pass attempts by the Raiders.

"Our defense is playing well.” said head coach Mike Pipak. “Vickers, Doscher and Quinn have been playing very well. Our philosophy is ‘11 as one,’ and our defense is playing that way."

When it comes to the Flames' offensive struggles, Pipak said, "It has been like this all year. We are able to move the ball, but cannot finish. We had many opportunities in the first half to take control of the game, but just couldn't get it done."
Riverview kicked a field goal to give them a 3 - 0 lead going into the locker room. The Raiders' first drive of the half came to a screeching halt when Quinn picked off a Raiders' pass, giving the Flames possession on their 45-yard line. The Flames' offense could not capitalize, and quickly went three downs and out.

With 4:41 left in the third quarter the Raiders went up on the Flames 9 - 0.

The Raiders kicked off, and the DeVante Nowlin returned the ball to the Flames’ 45-yard line. Northgate then proceeded to put together a 13-play drive, picking up three first downs, and literally running the ball right through the Raiders’ defense with 12 straight run plays. With 11:07 left in the fourth quarter, the Flames capped the drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Girvin to Justin Parra. The Flames' extra point kick was blocked, but they had closed the gap, and the score was now 9-6 Raiders.

A Raiders' 7-yard TD pass put the game out of reach for a struggling Flames' offense. The extra point kick was good and the final score was Northgate 6 and Riverview 16.

After the game, Pipak said, "The score of the game was a lot closer than 10 points. We have to start to move the sticks, and play more sound offensive football to keep our defense off the field."