By Brandon Jones
All-Purpose Writer
beautiful weapon when it works. It worked like a charm on multiple occasions for
the visitors Oct. 26 as Class 2A second-ranked North Putnam down 2A No. 12 host
27-14.
Junior
quarterback Griffen Dahlstrom went 7 for 11 for 233 yards and had four
touchdowns in helping the Cougars overcome a distinct disadvantage in field
position.Speedway
began its first seven drives with excellent field position, while North Putnam
started off well on only three of its 10 drives, with just one of those coming
before the fourth quarter.
quarterback Griffen Dahlstrom went 7 for 11 for 233 yards and had four
touchdowns in helping the Cougars overcome a distinct disadvantage in field
position.
began its first seven drives with excellent field position, while North Putnam
started off well on only three of its 10 drives, with just one of those coming
before the fourth quarter.
After a
scoreless first quarter, the rain stopped and the Cougars’ passing attack went
to work. A time-consuming 80-yard drive that took 10 plays was highlighted by
two huge receptions by North Putnam senior J.T. Francies. The first was a 20-yard
strike from Dahlstrom, the second a 30-yarder that set the visitors up inside
theSpeedway
scoreless first quarter, the rain stopped and the Cougars’ passing attack went
to work. A time-consuming 80-yard drive that took 10 plays was highlighted by
two huge receptions by North Putnam senior J.T. Francies. The first was a 20-yard
strike from Dahlstrom, the second a 30-yarder that set the visitors up inside
the
After a
couple of short runs and a penalty, North Putnam pulled a trick out of the bag:
a play-action fake from Dahlstrom to senior Kyle Rooker from 15 yards out. The
point after was no good, but nonetheless the undefeated Cougars (11-0) were on
top, 6-0.
couple of short runs and a penalty, North Putnam pulled a trick out of the bag:
a play-action fake from Dahlstrom to senior Kyle Rooker from 15 yards out. The
point after was no good, but nonetheless the undefeated Cougars (11-0) were on
top, 6-0.
A 73-yard
kickoff return by Sparkplug speedster Calvin Harris on the ensuing kickoff set
the home team up at the North Putnam 7. It did take three plays from there, but
Speedway
punched it in on a one-yard plunge by tailback Jaron Advance, allowing the
hosts to take their first – and final – lead of the evening at 7-6.
kickoff return by Sparkplug speedster Calvin Harris on the ensuing kickoff set
the home team up at the North Putnam 7. It did take three plays from there, but
punched it in on a one-yard plunge by tailback Jaron Advance, allowing the
hosts to take their first – and final – lead of the evening at 7-6.
North
Putnam responded, however. To the surprise of everyone in attendance, the
Cougars’ passing game was the weapon as they traveled 70 yards in just three
plays.
Putnam responded, however. To the surprise of everyone in attendance, the
Cougars’ passing game was the weapon as they traveled 70 yards in just three
plays.
After a penalty
pushed the visitors back to their own 18, Dahlstrom once again found Francies
on a gorgeous jump ball where the speedy receiver outjumped (then outran) two
Speedway defenders all the way to paydirt.
pushed the visitors back to their own 18, Dahlstrom once again found Francies
on a gorgeous jump ball where the speedy receiver outjumped (then outran) two
Speedway defenders all the way to paydirt.
The
two-point conversion was successful, and North Putnam was on top 14-7 midway
through the second period.
two-point conversion was successful, and North Putnam was on top 14-7 midway
through the second period.
That’s
when the vaunted Cougar defense took over, forcingSpeedway
Putnam’s aerial attack then went on the offensive once more as Dahlstrom hooked
up with fellow junior Jerrett Ban on a 44-yard strike just before halftime,
allowing North Putnam to extend its lead to 21-7.
when the vaunted Cougar defense took over, forcing
Putnam’s aerial attack then went on the offensive once more as Dahlstrom hooked
up with fellow junior Jerrett Ban on a 44-yard strike just before halftime,
allowing North Putnam to extend its lead to 21-7.
A key
moment in the first half occurred on the touchdown strike asSpeedway
Kyle Linville was injured, left the game, and never returned.
moment in the first half occurred on the touchdown strike as
Kyle Linville was injured, left the game, and never returned.
The second
half was all about clock management and defense, two staples of postseason
football.
half was all about clock management and defense, two staples of postseason
football.
Both teams
traded punts before North Putnam, whose offense seemed to go a bit conservative
after the break, punted for a second time, setting the ’Plugs up with good
field position. Sophomore receiver J.T. Bouwman then stepped up and showed that
he has a big future on Indy’s westside.
traded punts before North Putnam, whose offense seemed to go a bit conservative
after the break, punted for a second time, setting the ’Plugs up with good
field position. Sophomore receiver J.T. Bouwman then stepped up and showed that
he has a big future on Indy’s westside.
Bouwman
had three receptions on theSpeedway
march. The first was an eight-yard strike from backup quarterback Ethan Bartel.
Next, a great fade pattern grab of 37 yards setSpeedway
had three receptions on the
march. The first was an eight-yard strike from backup quarterback Ethan Bartel.
Next, a great fade pattern grab of 37 yards set
Three
plays later, it was once again Bouwman. On a crucial third down from the 9, a
jump ball to the southwest corner of the end zone was Bouwman’s for the taking,
and he snatched it to cut North Putnam’s lead to 21-14 following the extra-point
kick.
plays later, it was once again Bouwman. On a crucial third down from the 9, a
jump ball to the southwest corner of the end zone was Bouwman’s for the taking,
and he snatched it to cut North Putnam’s lead to 21-14 following the extra-point
kick.
As it has
all season, though, the Cougars’ offense responded in a big way.
all season, though, the Cougars’ offense responded in a big way.
A 14-play,
68 yard drive of “dinks and dunks” that consumed a back-breaking 7:22 off the
clock was capped off on a huge third-down touchdown reception by Rooker.
68 yard drive of “dinks and dunks” that consumed a back-breaking 7:22 off the
clock was capped off on a huge third-down touchdown reception by Rooker.
In fact,
it was the EXACT same play in which the Cougars scored their first touchdown of
the night. That took the air out ofSpeedway
as it was the decider in the 13-point victory.
it was the EXACT same play in which the Cougars scored their first touchdown of
the night. That took the air out of
as it was the decider in the 13-point victory.
North
Putnam, usually known for its running attack, added 137 yards on the ground to
go with Dahlstrom’s 230-plus night.
Putnam, usually known for its running attack, added 137 yards on the ground to
go with Dahlstrom’s 230-plus night.
weekend’s Sectional 30 final.
North Putnam (11-0) 0 21 0 6
– 27
– 27
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