North Bend Central wins opener

The North Bend Central Tigers got the season started on a high note, knocking off Louisville 19-7 on the road Friday night.

North Bend Central scored 6 points in each the first and second quarters to lead 12-0 at the break. The Lions scored their lone touchdown in the third quarter to make it a 12-7 game at the end of three. The Tigers sealed the deal in the fourth quarter with a touchdown.

Dawson Poessnecker rushed for 76 yards on 21 carries. Joel Hines added 66 yards on the ground on 9 carries, including a score.

Hines was 8-19 passing for 131 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Colton Mitties hauled in 2 passes for 54 yards, and scored once. Peter Emanuel caught 3 balls for 46 yards, scoring once.

Brock Ray racked up a team-high 12 tackles while Poessnecker had 7.

North Bend Central totaled 314 yards of offense, including 183 on the ground. The defense gave up 220 yards.

Head Coach Ryan Stieren says his team did the little things well and executed in all facets of the game. "The recipe for winning is playing well on defense, winning field position on special teams, and taking care of the ball and executing on offense. We played really well defensively and on special teams. Offensively, we made enough big plays and took care of the ball, for the most part. Turnovers were a key part of the game. They turned it over to us at crucial times and we only gave it away one time."

Any time you take care of the ball and don't turn it over, good things are going to happen. And the Tigers certainly proved that theory correct Friday night.

Stieren says he's glad for his players, but there's more work to be done. "I am happy for the kids. Winning games is not easy and it has been really difficult for North Bend Central the last 3 years, so I am happy for the seniors to get off to a 1-0 start. But, we must get our minds focused on what's next and continue to improve each week."

The Tigers (1-0) host West Point-Beemer (0-1) Friday night.

The Cadets lost 41-0 at home to Arlington in their first game of the season.

North Bend Central defeated West Point-Beemer 28-25 at home last year despite the fact the Cadets held a 19-0 advantage in that game.

The Tigers get West Point-Beemer at home again, and I think North Bend Central has a good chance to be 2-0 after Friday night's game.

The way the Tigers played in their opener and how the Cadets looked against the Eagles would suggest North Bend Central is in store for a win.

However, West Point-Beemer won their opener last year and the Tigers were rolled by Pierce in their season opener a year ago so don't underestimate the Cadets.

West Point-Beemer will no doubt be seeking revenge, and will be looking to get back on track with a win.

North Bend Central has to be ready to play four quarters of football. The Tigers have to be ready to roar from the get go, and must continue to do the little and fundamental things well to knock off the Cadets.

Football is a game for the tough, and North Bend Central has to be mentally and physically tough against West Point-Beemer.

The Tigers have to win the battle at the line of scrimmage, and be the more physical team. Running and passing the ball the way they did against Louisville will be critical for North Bend Central, in my opinion.