Northgate’s Josh Douglass has a clear shot at the end zone during the fourth quarter of last Friday’s game against Springdale. Between the Flames’ opening and closing touchdowns, however, the Dynamos scored 39 points to hand Northgate another loss. The Flames hope to bring their losing streak to an end when they host Wilkinsburg tonight for homecoming. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames' woes continued this past Friday night, as they got rolled over by a traditionally tough Springdale Dynamos football team.

Though the Flames have shown a lot of heart in their losses, their frustrations have gone on display with undisciplined football that is laden with costly penalties. The Flames have lost three in a row, two of those being conference games, and they appear to be losing confidence as their losing streak continues.

Friday night's game began with Northgate winning the coin toss and electing to receive the ball. Cody Walter received the opening kick-off and made it out to the Northgate 30-yard line before being brought down by the Dynamos.

Northgate quickly got into a rhythm as they opened up their drive with runs by Walter and Jon Girvin. The Flames then went to the air, with Girvin connecting with Mackenzie Quinn for a first down.

The Flames then went back to the run, and Walter ran up the middle for short yardage. Walter would get the call again, take a pitch from Girvin, and run right for a first down.

The Flames' offense was gathering momentum and confidence, and Girvin called his own number for a short gain. Walter, in the Flames’ version of the Wildcat, then took a direct snap that would go for a short pick-up, but a Flames' holding penalty put their offense in the hole.

The Flames' offense then stalled, as Girvin's passes intended for Frankie Camello and Josh Douglass fell incomplete. Northgate was forced to punt, and Girvin kicked a booming punt that Springdale's returner couldn't handle. Northgate recovered the Dynamos’ fumble on the Springdale 13-yard line.

The Flames’ offense quickly went to work, with Quinn running up the middle for a short gain. The next play was a direct snap to Walter that yielded no gain. Walter got the call again, and with a hand-off from Girvin, he rambled in for a touchdown. With 5:26 left in the first quarter, the Flames took their first and only lead of the night 6 - 0. The extra point kick was no good.

The Flames’ lead would be short-lived, as the Dynamos hit them hard and frequently with a run-oriented offense. The Dynamos started their drive on their own 26-yard line, and with six consecutive run plays, tied the score 6 - 6 with 2:14 left in the first quarter. The Dynamos’ extra point kick was no good.

The Flames' defense rallied early in the second quarter. Quinn picked off a Dynamo pass, and returned it to the Springdale 35-yard line. However, on the second play from scrimmage, Walter lost the handle on the ball, and the Dynamos' Chris Liberto picked it up and ran 70 yards for a Springdale touchdown. The extra point kick was good, and the Flames were down 6 - 13 with 9:52 left in the second quarter.

Northgate's next drive would come to an abrupt halt when Girvin coughed up the ball and the Dynamos took possession on their own 37-yard line. The Dynamos ran the ball for 11 straight plays and punched it into the end zone. The extra point was blocked, leaving Northgate down 19-6 with 52 seconds left in the half.

The Northgate defense had to hold off a charging Dynamo offense after the kick-off bounced off a Northgate lineman and Springdale recovered the ball on the Flames’ 49-yard line.

The Flames’ defense put an end to the Dynamos' first drive of the second half, when Girvin picked off a Springdale pass and returned it to the Northgate 45-yard line. Northgate was unable to take advantage of the turnover, and turned the ball over on downs after getting to the Dynamos’ 35-yard line. With 2:29 left in the third quarter, the Dynamos scored on a quarterback keeper to make the score to 25-6. The two-point conversion failed.

The Dynamos started the fourth quarter on their own 31-yard line, and capped a 12-play drive with a 17-yard touchdown run. The extra point kick was good, and the score, with 4:47 left in the game, was 6 - 32.

With the fourth quarter coming to a close, Northgate received the Dynamo kick-off, and Joe Hughes returned it to the Northgate 30-yard line. On the first play of the Northgate drive, Girvin went long to Douglass for a 70-yard touchdown pass. The extra point kick was good and the score was 32-13 with 4:30 left in the game.

Northgate unsuccessfully tried an on-side kick, and the Dynamos took possession of the ball near midfield. The Dynamos, showing no signs of relaxing, proceeded to drive their message home by running the ball seven straight plays and stuffing it into the Northgate end zone with 38 seconds left in the game, bringing the score to 39-13.

Rob Vickers led the Flames’ defense with 10.5 tackles, and J.D. Hoover had nine.

Northgate will be looking to end their losing streak when they host Wilkinsburg High School on Friday night for the Flames' homecoming game.