Huskies maul Chieftains
Published 1:51 pm Tuesday, September 2, 2003
By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Portage Northern scored 28 unanswered points to ruin the debut of Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger Friday night.
Dowagiac grabbed a quick 7-0 lead when it capitalized on a Portage Northern turnover. It was all Huskies from there as Portage Northern scored a 48-21 Big-16 Conference non-divisional victory at Chris Taylor-Alumni Field.
Robbie Ferrier picked off a pass from Northern's Brock Doud on its first possession and Dowagiac marched down the field, scoring on a 20-yard pass from Joe Peavey to Duane Davis. Hillary Bisnett, the first female to play at the varsity level in Dowagiac's history, connected on the extra point to give the Chieftains a 7-0 lead.
Portage Northern (1-0) took control of the game, scoring on its next six possessions, accounting for 29 points.
Doud scored on a nine-yard run to tie the score at 7-7 following Jeff Lemons' point after touchdown (PAT).
Greg Marshall scored the go-ahead touchdown on an eight-yard run, before Keith Roseman scored the first of his two touchdowns, this one on a five-yard run.
Matt Comer hauled in a 34-yard scoring strike from Doud before Lemons tacked on a 35-yard field goal. The Huskies' scoring streak was ended with a one-yard run by Roseman.
Lemons connected on three out of the four PATs for the Huskies.
Trailing 29-7 at the intermission, Dowagiac appeared to have new life to start the second half.
Although Portage Northern scored first on Roseman's one-yard run, Dowagiac scored on 55-yard run by Bryan Powell to cut the lead to 35-14.
On the ensuing kickoff, Portage Northern fumbled the ball, but was able to retain possession.
The Chieftains appeared to have grabbed the momentum as they forced the Huskies into a third and 24 situation. That momentum slipped away as Portage Northern converted on a defensive breakdown and kept possession of the football.
The Huskies went on to score on a 38-yard pass from Doud to Comer which sealed the victory.
Dowagiac to its credit continued to play hard. Powell broke loose on an 89-yard run in the early stages of the fourth quarter and Bisnett completed her perfect night by hitting the PAT.
The Huskies concluded the scoring with a 35-yard run by Chris Lowing.
Portage Northern finished the night with 465 yards in total offense, including 290 yards on the ground. Roseman led the way with 148 yards on 23 carries. Doud was 11-of-19 through the air for 175 yards.
The Chieftains (0-1) finished with 165 yards rushing, led by Powell's 166 yards on eight carries. Peavey was 4-of-9 for 36 yards.
Dowagiac hopes to regroup and pick up its first win of the season Friday night in Coldwater. The Cardinals were defeated by Portage Central last Friday night.
The Cardinals return 23 seniors from last year's squad. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
P. Northern 7 22 6 13 -- 48
Dowagiac 7 0 7 7 -- 21
D – Duane Davis 20 yard pass from Joe Peavey; Hillary Bisnett kick
PN – Brock Doud 9 yard run; Jeff Lemons kick
PN – Greg Marshall 8 yard run; kick failed
PN – Keith Roseman 5 yard run; run failed
PN – Matt Comer 34 yard pass from Doud; Lemons kick
PN – Lemons 35 yard field goal
PN – Roseman 1 yard run; kick failed
D – Bryan Powell 55 yard run; Bisnett kick
PN – Comer 38 yard pass from Doud; Lemons kick
D – Powell 89 yard run; Bisnett kick
PN – Chris Lowing 35 yard run; kick failed