Trevor Moran (10) of North Union runs through a hole in the offensive line to pick up yardage for the Wildcats. Moran made three trips to the end zone to help the Wildcats defeat Graham, 56-10. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The Wildcats of North Union were a team that struggled to win games a few weeks ago and appeared as though their
season was headed in the wrong direction.
NU has, however, turned it around a bit with its second consecutive victory.
Friday night’s Homecoming contest was no contest at all for the Cats as they dominated on offense and won a 56-10
one-sided battle against the Graham Falcons.
NU coach Nick Hajjar said he wanted to take momentum from last week’s triumph over Indian Lake into Homecoming.
“We talked all week about building off the momentum of our last game and press on,” he said. “We were trying to get
back into the momentum and back in the groove.
“We had another good week of practice and it carried over to the game.”
The momentum could be felt right out out of the gate when Trevor Moran broke free on the edge for a 37-yard
touchdown midway through the first quarter.
Ricky Weigand added the point after to give NU a 7-0 lead.
The Wildcat defense was able to hold its ground deep in Graham territory by keeping quarterback Brady King grounded.
“Their QB can throw the ball and we knew the passing game was going to be big,” said Hajjar. “We tried our best to
eliminate him from doing what he wanted to do and I thought we did a good job of that.”
NU’s defense led to a three and out, giving North Union the ball at midfield.
The Wildcats needed only four plays to find the end zone for the second time.
Trevyn Feasel scored from 13 yards out. Weigand added a PAT to make it a 14-0 contest with 2:19 left in the quarter.
King went into the game having thrown for more than 1,000 yards, 14 TDs and two interceptions.
North Union’s Jacob Florio added another pick to King’s stats when he returned a theft to Graham’s 15-yard line.
Feasel made another trip to the end zone. Weigand’s extra point gave NU a 21-0 lead.
Hajjar said with the Homecoming celebrations in full swing leading up to the game, the coaching staff didn’t know what
they were going to get out of their players.
“You never know with Homecoming,” he said. “There are a lot of distractions and you are just not sure what is going to
happen.
“I thought the kids handed it well,” he said. “They put a good effort on the field tonight.”
The Falcons made a solid return on the kick-off to the Wildcats’ 11-yard line.
They went no further and had to settle for a 25-yard field goal by Ryan Turner to make it a 21-3 ball game.
The Cats answered with their signature two-pronged run attack, but it was Moran who got to take the ball in the end
zone.
His 23-yard sprint and Weigand’s PAT pushed NU out to a 28-3 lead.
Hajjar said his staff had been watching the weather all week to decide on the run package they would use against the
Falcons.
However, it was up to the big men up front to make it all happen.
“We had some different running sets if the (rainy) weather was going to be here or not,” Hajjar said. “No matter what the
game plan was, we told the guys up front we’ve got to go.
“They’ve got to continue to get better because we are at our best when we can run the football.”
The Wildcats continued to put their best foot forward with an 18-yard touchdown from Owen Davis.
Moran blocked a punt deep in Graham territory and scooped up the loose ball for another TD.
Ethan Mouser got in on the scoring action with a 43-yard run right before the half. Once all the dust settled in the second
quarter, the Wildcats took a 49-3 lead into the turn.
With the large lead, Hajjar gave some of his younger talent an opportunity to get some reps.
They didn’t disappoint.
The Falcons were able to work a sustained drive down to the NU 12-yard line.
King finished the series with a TD up the middle.
Turner added the extra point to make it a 49-10 game.
NU’s youngsters responded when Linclon Harrah found open space down the sideline to pick up the Wildcats’ eighth TD
on a 50-yard run.
Weigand added his final PAT to give the Cats a commanding 56-10 lead.
Hajjar said he was happy with the entire team’s performance.
“Even the young guys played well,” he said. “We had a couple good stops and some penalties hindered some points,
but it was good to see them have some success.”
The Cats capped off the win with a victory formation in the waning seconds to move to 4-3 on the season and 2-0 in the
Central Buckeye Conference.
North Union will go on the road Friday to Northwestern.