Football: Westerville North off to best start since 1993 after win over Delaware Hayes
Friday, September 15, 2023
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Delaware’s Jaliq Wilson gains ground while Westerville North’s Austin Baker pursues Sept. 15 at North. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Westerville North football coach Stanley Jackson stood at midfield snacking on some cookies after a 14-7 win over visiting Delaware Hayes on Sept. 15. Ah, the sweet taste of victory.
The Warriors, who improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in OCC-Capital Division play, hadn’t had this much success since winning seven in a row in 1995. This is their best start to a season since going 6-0 in 1993.
While the victory was sweet, Jackson says there is work to be done. North, which was intercepted by Delaware’s Chase Radabaugh on the Pacers’ 1 yard line, committed 10 penalties for 77 yards.
“We had eight penalties in the first half,” Jackson said. “I think it shows that we can fight through adversity … but we’ve got to be better. We’ve got to figure out how to clean this up because it’s been like this all year long. It’s a recipe for disaster, so we’re going to focus on that.”
The Warriors committed five penalties alone on Delaware’s 14-play, 99-yard touchdown drive. Josh Russell plunged in from a yard out to give the Pacers a 7-0 with 42 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
But North’s defense chased Delaware quarterback Jake Lowman around all night, sacking him three times and holding him to 17 of 31 passing for 153 yards and an interception.
Westerville North’s Marlon Walker finds running room against visiting Delaware on Sept. 15. Photo: John Hulkenberg
“We’ve got some players and we’ve got a defense that’s tough,” Jackson said. “We’ve got a coaching staff that’s outstanding. The adjustments that they made on the fly. (Delaware went) down and scored on us, but they never had the same success the rest of the game. And that’s a good football team offensively.”
Braylon Nowlin had a pair of sacks and Brian Robinson added another. Robinson, who finished with four tackles, also caught what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown pass – a 5-yard toss from Ronald Jackson with 8:15 left in the third quarter.
Javier Matthews set up the go-ahead score with an interception returned 51 yards to Delaware’s 9.
Austin Baker had 6.5 tackles, Alex Troyer had five tackles and Lem Reynolds added four tackles.
“It was amazing,” said Robinson, a senior defensive end and tight end. “(Delaware is) great competition. Braylon Nowlin on the other side – me and him exchanging back and forth. I chase (the quarterback) his way, he better get the sack. He forces him my way, I better get the sack. We took care of our jobs and did our thing.”
Westerville North’s Brian Robinson celebrates his touchdown catch against visiting Delaware on Sept. 15. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Ronald Jackson led the Warriors on offense with 81 yards on nine carries, including a 18-yard touchdown run just before halftime. Jonathan Stevens added 14 carries for 58 yards for North, which heads into a rivalry game at Westerville South on Sept. 22.
The Warriors, who beat Westerville Central 21-12 in Week 1 for the first time since 2008, haven’t defeated the Wildcats since 2005, losing 17 consecutive matchups.
Cooper Frye and Logan Frye had 5.5 tackles apiece and Justin Matthews had an interception to lead Delaware, which fell to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in league play.
The Pacers, who host Worthington Kilbourne on Sept. 22, were held to just 37 yards rushing on 28 carries, including 11 yards on 12 carries in the second half.
“We had a great first drive – we just have to sustain,” Delaware coach Ryan Montgomery said. “(North was) bringing pressure from different looks. Our guys just weren’t communicating. (North is) athletic and they played a little bit more man coverage against us. Our guys have to adjust and I thought we did. We just didn’t execute.
“I think (we’re) still extremely dangerous and there’s a lot to play for moving forward. Nothing is lost in the season just from one game.”