Northgate defensive back Mark Wilson is shoved out of the way as a Keystone Oaks runner looks to turn the corner in last week’s game against the Eagles. The Flames’ defense gave up six touchdowns in Northgate’s 47-14 loss at Alumni Field. Photo by Connie Rankin for The Citizen

By JIM RUMBLE

It’s bad enough when you have to face a bigger and stronger opponent almost every other week in the Century Conference, but when you throw in a couple of calls that could have gone your way and add to that some mistakes of your own, well that creates the perfect recipe for failure.

That was the predicament the Northgate football team found themselves in when they hosted Keystone Oaks last Friday. The Flames were defeated 47-14.

“They’re a big team,” head coach Mike Pipak said of the Eagles.

Northgate experienced their first bit of ill fortune on the game’s first play from scrimmage with Keystone Oaks in possession of the ball at their own 32. The Eagles had thrown a pass for 15 yards when the Flames’ defense delivered a big hit to knock the ball loose for what looked most people like a fumble. The referees disagreed and sent the visitors on their way to the game’s first score.

“We had our chances,” Pipak said. “The first play of the game I think was a clear fumble and the ref stood there and didn’t make the call.”

The Eagles capped the seven-play drive with a 15-yard TD pass followed by the extra point kick to take a 7-0 lead.

After limiting the Flames to three-and-out on their first possession, Keystone Oaks was able to overcome three penalties to complete a 65-yard drive that culminated with a 30-yard touchdown run. The miss on the extra point attempt had the Flames trailing 13-0 by the end of the first quarter.

Northgate’s difficulties continued through the second quarter, where Keystone Oaks moved to a commanding lead.

The Eagles got a break on their first score in the period, as they completed a 65-yard drive with a 32-yard TD pass. On the play Flames’ defensive back Josh Ellis looked to be in position for an interception. However the ball got through his outstretched arms, resulting in a touchdown to put Keystone Oaks up 20-0 with 5:44 left in the quarter.

Northgate’s next possession ended with an interception that would give the Eagles a short distance to go for their next score. They moved in from the Flames’ 22, finishing the five-play drive with a 15-yard TD pass to lead at the half 26-0.

The Flames finally got something going on offense in the third quarter with a 12-play drive that put them on the scoreboard. Back-up quarterback Jon Girvin, replacing Joe Barker, experienced some success through the air with completions of 28 yards to Joe Ellis and 21 yards to Josh Ellis highlighting the drive. Pat Carr ended the drive with a 5-yard TD run before kicking the extra point that had Northgate trailing 26-7.

Keystone Oaks followed with a possession that moved in five plays and finished with a 2-yard TD run that would give them a 33-7 lead by the end of the third quarter.

The Eagles got into the end zone two more times in the fourth quarter before the Flames added another touchdown. The Northgate drive was fueled by a 38-yard pass from Girvin to Joe Ellis before the Flames’ running back scored on a 21-yard run. Carr followed with the kick to put the final score at 47-14.

“We’re in a stage right now that if we didn’t have bad luck, we wouldn’t have any luck at all,” Pipak said.