Local Sports

Conference clash! NC routs Knights for 31st straight win

POWERS -- Norway coach Scott Popp called it "the Curse of North Central." And it struck about halfway through the first quarter of the Knights' showdown against the two-time defending Division 2 eight-man state champion Jets on Friday night in Powers.

On the first play from scrimmage after Norway (6-2) cut a 14-0 deficit to six with 5:32 to play in the opening quarter, North Central senior Dillan Raab broke loose for 65-yard rushing touchdown 12 seconds later to help put his team right back up 22-8.

Just like that.

"It's the North Central curse that everybody deals with in the U.P., Popp said. "Once they jump up on you, the other kids just kind of let down."

And the Jets keep rising and rising. After all was said and done, North Central extended its 8-player state record winning streak to 31 straight with a 68-8 rout of Norway. Funny thing is, the Jets said it was the best competition they've seen all year.

"You go into it, you know these guys are going to be a challenge," North Central senior quarterback Luke Gorzinski said of the Knights, many of whom he knows from playing on the same all-star baseball team. "They've been putting up points. Hats off to our defense, the energy was high at practice this week and we really brought it tonight."

"Scott and those guys and the players, they exposed a couple of things and a couple of sets that we needed to see," NC coach Leo Gorzinski said. "It was the first team (that we've played) that had a little bit of multi-dimensional stuff and it was a good look for us.

"But again, when you look at our roster, there's 13 seniors and these guys adapted and they figured it out. They were hungry tonight."

While the Jets' defense shut down Norway's high-powered offense, the Knights defense fared like everyone else has against the top-ranked Division 2 eight-man team in the state this season.

Luke Gorzinski led a sensational North Central attack with 243 yards rushing on 11 carries, all in the first half. He accounted for five touchdowns -- four on the ground and one through the air to sophomore Lane Gorzinski.

"There's not an 8-man team out there that can cover every aspect of their game," Popp said. "I'll line up against them in any other formation, but when you have to try and key on Luke, that opens up the game. That's why they have such success week in and week out.

Gorzinski got his team on the board with an 8-yard run at the 8:40 mark of the first quarter. He added a 76-yarder with 2:22 remaining, and then on his next carry about two minutes later, he broke several tackles, bounced off a few more and ran in from 87 yards that put North Central up 34-8 after the opening period.

""(Luke) was the player of the year in the state last year as a junior and he didn't get worse," Popp said. "He's definitely better and he shows it out there. Trying to contain him is impossible. Everybody in the state knows that."

Coach Gorzinski reflected on what it's been like watching his son bloom into one of the most explosive football players the U.P. has seen in recent years.

"The best part about this season for me right now is watching him grow up," Coach Gorzinski said. "He's been a special player for us through and through. This is the first season that I've had him that he's actually just out there having fun."

And why not. North Central has outscored its opponents 448-17. Norway's eight points were the most allowed by the Jets this season. Only two other teams have scored against NC, Stephenson scored six and Bessmer scored three.

The Knights' lone scoring drive came midway through the opening quarter. Sophomore quarterback Cole Baij hit junior Wyatt Spade for 26 yards to open the march. North Central was flagged for pass interference on the next play, setting up the Knights on the Jets' 25.

Baij connected with Michael Peterson for 13 yards and Tyler Neuens broke off an 11-yard run down to the NC 1-yard line. Neuens scored on the ensuing play and then added a two-point conversion run, slicing the Jets' lead to 14-8.

But then Raab took off on his touchdown scamper and all things returned to normal for the Jets as they exploded for four touchdowns in the final 5 1/2 minutes of the first quarter.

The Jets look to extend their winning streak to 32 on Friday, Oct. 21 when they host UPSSA No. 3 Forest Park (7-1). And then it's on to the Division 8 playoffs, which have ended with North Central carrying off the trophy two years in a row.

At this point, it's hard to envision them not doing it again.

"We knew what kind of kids that we had, what kind of heart and desire that they had," said Coach Gorzinski, who has been in charge of the NC program for five years. "Actually, it's a treat. This team loves to play. They love each other and they go to battle and they hate to lose."

Meanwhile, Norway's final game comes against Stephenson (5-3) at home this Friday and it's a big one as the Knights hope to extend their season, which began with six consecutive wins.

"We've got to win next week to get into the playoffs," Popp said.