High-powered Tiger offense falls short in loss to W. Lafayette
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For most of the regular season, the Northwestern Tigers football team boasted one of the most potent offenses in the area. The team routinely posted 40 or more points in seven of its nine victories in the regular season.
The power was still on the field on Nov. 1 when the Tigers faced West Lafayette in the IHSAA sectional semi-finals. It just didn't find the endzone enough. The Red Devils demolished the Tigers' defense on the ground en route to a 42-14 win.
Northwestern had no answer for Red Devils senior Dawson Martin, who rushed for a mammoth 299 yards on 25 carries, a per carry average of 12 yards. The total included an 80-yard sprint for one of his three touchdowns on the night.
Tigers' field general Brock Shank did what he could to keep his team competitive. The senior quarterback completed 26 or 42 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
That resulted in big numbers for his receiving corps. Senior Hayden Cook hauled in eight passes for 132 yards and a score, and senior Cavan Murray caught six balls for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Both teams minded the ball well. Only one turnover was surrendered in the game, a fumble recovery by Northwestern senior Sam Craig.
Shank ends his high school football career with some impressive numbers. A three-year starter for the Tigers, he amassed 6,717 passing yards over the course of his high school years. That includes 3,239 yards this year with a 61-percent completion rate and 37 passing touchdowns.
While Northwestern's season is over, West Lafayette will face undefeated Maconaquah High School on Fri., Nov. 8, for the sectional championship. The Braves have scored no fewer than 30 points in any contest this season.
See additional photos from this contest, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.