Northgate’s Jake Abernethy goes above (literally) and beyond to catch a pass during the Flames’ win over OLSH on the road. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

By MEL PERKINS

The Northgate Flames battled to the end, and pulled out a 32 - 27 victory against the Our Lady of Sacred Heart (OLSH) Chargers Saturday night. In T.J. Wiley's debut game as head coach of the Flames, his Northgate team showed a combination of speed, power and "quick strike" potential.

OLSH won the coin toss to start the game, and elected to receive. The Flames' Brett Howell kicked off, and Northgate's 2011 season was underway on a hot and humid night at Robert Morris' Joe Walton Stadium.

Northgate's defense took the field, and stuffed the Chargers' run game on three straight plays. OLSH punted, and the Flames' Jake Abernethy fielded it deep in his own territory. Abernethy broke several tackles before crossing midfield and being stopped on the Chargers' 44-yard line. Abernethy's return gave the Flames great field position to start the game.

The Flames immediately put the fire to the OLSH defense, by running Cody Walter and Mack Quinn. Northgate's run game was clicking, as they picked up a quick first down before going to their air assault. Quarterback Jon Girvin struck fast, hitting Abernethy for a 10-yard completion, and giving Northgate another first down.

Northgate was on the move, with the ball on the Chargers' 31-yard line and OLSH reeling back on their heels. Girvin handed the ball off to Mack Quinn, who went right at the center of the Charger's line, giving the Flames the proverbial "three yards and a cloud of dust."

Then, with the ball on the Chargers' 28 and the Flames looking at a third down and 7, Girvin dropped back and threw to an open Alex Marusic for a 28-yard touchdown. Northgate missed the extra point kick, but the Flames had struck first, and had a 6 - 0 lead with 6:31 left in the first quarter.

The Chargers, after returning the Northgate kickoff to their 40-yard line, took advantage of their good field position and a face mask penalty, and struck back. Isaiah Neely broke free and ran 48 yards for an OLSH touchdown with 4:52 left in the quarter. The Chargers' extra point kick was no good.
With the score knotted at 6, the Chargers kicked off to the Flames. Walter received the kick deep in his own territory, and with a burst of speed, was able to get outside and streak down the sideline. Walter made it to the OLSH 9-yard line before being brought down. First-and-goal, Walter again got the call and was stopped just shy of the end zone. Second-and-goal with the ball on the 1-yard line, Girvin scored on a quarterback keeper. The 2-point conversion failed, but the Flames were back on top 12 - 6 with 3:59 left in the quarter.

Northgate's defense was strong, and the Chargers' -- on their third series -- were forced to punt.

Time was winding down in the half, and after a fair catch by Walter, the Flames began their final drive of the half from their own 32-yard line.
Northgate went right to the run game, as Walter, Brett Howell, and Girvin all got carries that resulted in a first down. The pass game stalled, and Northgate was staring at third-and-long. That's when Girvin found Rob Jones open in the middle of the field for a first down. The passing game was back on track, and Girvin found Abernethy for another first down.

With 21 seconds left in the half, Girvin found Abernethy in the Chargers’ end zone for a touchdown. Girvin's pass to Jones completed the 2-point conversion and the Flames were sitting on a solid 20 - 6 lead at halftime.

Coach Wiley said later, "We dominated and controlled the first half." Going into the locker room for halftime, "We felt very good, knowing we would be receiving the ball to start the half."

The third quarter started with OLSH kicking off to the Flames, and Northgate looking to keep their offense rolling. However, the Flames' offense stalled and they couldn't find the end zone. With the offense struggling, the defense began to feel the effects of the heat and humidity, and the Chargers' offense took full advantage, scoring 14 points in the third quarter.

With the 4:26 left in the third quarter, and the score tied at 20, OLSH kicked it off to the Flames. Northgate, starting on their 20 and feeling a sense of urgency, put together a nine-play drive to the OLSH 3- yard line.

A holding penalty backed the Flames up to the Chargers’ 13. But, on the next play, Girvin connected with Abernethy for a 6-yard gain. Girvin (12 of 24 for 168 yards passing, two TDs), injured on the play, would leave the game and not return.

Wiley called on freshman QB Johnny Camello as the fourth quarter started. Camello came in with the turkey on the table; All he had to do was carve it, and he did. With the ball on the 7, second-and-goal, Camello dropped back in the pocket and threw a dart to Jones in the end zone. The extra point kick was no good, but the Flames were back on top, 26 - 20, with 11:58 left in the game.

OLSH went back on top after a 20-yard touchdown pass, with 7:09 left in the game. Their extra point kick was good, and the Flames were down 27 - 26.

After the kick, Northgate again started on their 20.

Going to the run game, Northgate gave the Chargers a steady diet of Walter, Howell and Quinn. But OLSH's defense was stubborn, and dared the Flames to throw.

The ball was on Northgate's 42, and the Flames were looking at fourth down and 4, when Camello threw to Jones for a pick-up of 5 yards and a first down.

After a bobbled snap, a sack, and a penalty against OLSH for delay of game, Northgate was in a jam with third down and 14, and the ball at midfield.

Wiley reached into his bag of tricks. Camello took a quick drop and tossed a pass back to Abernethy and, without hesitation, Abernethy threw the ball down field, hitting Jones in stride for a 40-yard gain.

With 1:01 left in the game, first-and-10 on the Chargers' 11, Camello threw an 11-yard strike to Jones (7 receptions for 142 yards, two TDs) in the end zone. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, but the Flames held a 32 - 27 lead over the OLSH Chargers with just 56 seconds left in the game.

The Flames’ defense stood strong, and OLSH managed only one first down before Abernethy sealed the deal and intercepted a Chargers’ pass with just 22 seconds left on the clock. Camello (3 of 4 for 24 yards passing, two TDs) took a knee, and the Flames had opened up a new era of football, with a win, on the road, under Coach T.J. Wiley.

"It was an incredible game. It was a rollercoaster ride, emotionally and mentally," Wiley said after the game. "I never doubted that we would score, I had complete and utter confidence in Johnny Camello."

The last time the Flames won a road game was against Deer Lakes on September 15, 2006.