Trevyn Feasel (3) breaks free of an Ontario tackler during North Union’s Homecoming game. Feasel tallied 118 yards and three touchdowns during the Wildcats 47-14 win.
(Photo submitted)
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Confidence can be a shaky thing. Either you have it or you don’t and after a big loss last week for North Union, the big question as the Wildcats took the field for their Homecoming game against Ontario was, were they going to have it?
NU got off to a less than stellar start, but a big third-down conversion on a pass from Anthony Padovano to Trevor Moran for 27 yards really gave the Cats the early confidence they needed to take the game from the Warriors, 47-14.
North Union head coach Nick Hajjar said his players had two options for this game after the loss last week…either give up or get back to work.
“After you loss, you’ve got one of two choices,” he said. “You can either wallow in self-pity or you can get back to work and try to get better.”
The execution came from all positions on the field as the Cats took their opening drive to the end zone.
Padovano took an option around the end and down the sideline to the Warriors’ 17-yard line on a 28-yard run.
The trio of Tevyn Feasel, Moran and Carson Smith took the ball the remaining 17 yards to give the Wildcats an early 6-0 lead.
Padovano had trouble on the point after attempt to keep the score at 6-0.
The execution continued for the Wildcats in the form of defense. After a couple of sacks on the Warriors’ opening drive. they were halted at midfield and forced to punt.
Hajjar pointed to the Cats’ preparedness for the game as the key to their victory.
“Our Tuesday and Wednesday practices were really good,” he said. “We felt good coming into the game and the guys executed.”
Execution came in the form of the pass on the Cats’ second possession.
After a few ground gains on the drive, Padovano threw a 10-yard pass to Feasel. He had blockers in front to give him a 50-yard run after the catch and put him down at the 1-yard line.
Moran finished the drive with a run up the middle for six more points. The PAT was again unsuccessful to put the score at 12-0.
The success continued in the first quarter as the Cats marched 90 yards on a nine-play drive that ended with Feasel rushing the ball three yards into the end zone for his second TD of the night.
Smith ran the for a two-point conversion to give the Wildcats a 20-0 lead at the end of the first stanza.
Hajjar said he was shocked by how well his team came out of the gate.
“I told them before the game, their (Ontario) kids play hard,” he said. “In high school football, if you have kids who play hard every play, you have a chance (at winning).
“That was my challenge to the kids this week… to match and hopefully surpass them by playing hard,” he said. “I didn’t know it was going to happen that fast, but it was a good win for our guys.”
The Cats continued to lay on the points during the second quarter with Feasel putting up his third TD on a 61-yard run.
NU’s defense kept Ontario’s offense on the sideline when Carsen Newell intercepted a pass.
That turnover set up Smith for a seven-yard scoring run.
The Warriors were only able to stay on the field for one play before Jaxson Harrah scooped up loose ball to put Ontario right back on the bench.
Padovano connected with Smith on a 42-yard pass over his shoulder to give the Wildcats a 41-0 lead at the half.
Hajjar said his team’s ability to convert on third down allowed the Cats to put up such big numbers.
“When you get the chance on third down, you’ve got to convert and keep drives going,” he said. “That is something we have really been focusing on. We weren’t good at it last week. I thought the guys did a great job this week.”
With the substantial lead, the Wildcats put their younger players on the field.
The youngers put points on the board with an Ethan Young’s 35-yard run that set up his one-yard burst for the Cats’ seventh TD and a 47-0 lead.
Hajjar said the win was exactly what his team needed to get the season back on track.
“To get a win in front of a Homecoming crowd and do it pretty decisively was great,” he said.
NU gave up its first points to Ontario on the ensuing kick-off.
Owen Hatfield took the ball 85 yards to give the Warriors their first touchdown. Logan Hissong blasted the ball through the pipes to put the score at 47-7.
The Warriors scored another TD in the fourth quarter on a 16-yard run by quarterback Collin Caudill.
Hissong put the score at 47-14 to end the game.
The Wildcats will face their next-door neighbor and rival Pleasant on Friday.
The Spartans roughed up Marion Harding, 34-0, on Friday to remain unbeaten.