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Valiant Viking gridders fall to Norwell in overtime

The Huntington North High School varsity football team got edged by host Norwell in overtime, 25-24, on Friday, Oct. 6.

The fourth quarter saw the Vikings, trailing by four, reach the end zone at the 7:54 mark to take their first lead of the game, 17-14. With just over two minutes remaining, the Knights countered with a 25-yard field goal to tie up the game and force overtime. In the bonus frame, Coach Rick Burnau’s squad struck first, running the ball in to retake the lead, 24-17. Norwell, however, had an opportunity to possess the ball as well and tallied a touchdown of its own, followed by a two-point conversion, to win the game.

With the loss, Huntington North falls to 0-8, 0-6 in the Northeast 8 Conference.

The Knights took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Vikings knotted the game up in the second quarter, but their hosts went back in front with a touchdown shortly before halftime. Huntington North cut into the deficit in the third with a 29-yard field goal by sophomore Aidan Hosler that set the stage for the team’s snatching of the lead in the fourth.

The Vikings totaled 240 yards on offense. Senior Austin Spahr scored all three of the team’s touchdowns, running each of them in as part of a 51-yard rushing effort overall. Senior running back Mason Landrum added 62 yards on 15 carries while junior rusher Logan Hippensteel ran for 53 yards on six attempts.

Huntington North also got 85 yards passing from junior quarterback Brett Kaylor, who completed 8 of 14 passes. Sophomore wide receiver Deven Newcomb made five catches for 55 yards while junior wide out Andrew Smekens caught two passes for 37 yards.

On the defensive side, the Vikings yielded 327 yards to the Knights. Junior linebacker Charlie Agnew led the defense with three sacks and an interception. Senior defensive back Kaleb McVoy also had a pick. Sophomore linebacker Isaac Hill registered a team-high 5.5 tackles.

With the win, Norwell improves to 2-6, 1-5 in conference.