Raiders run roughshod over Farmington
BONNE TERRE – Adam Howard threw for four touchdowns and ran for another in North County’s 52-14 victory over Farmington. It was North County’s fourth win in a row and seventh on the year.
Farmington started strong and went into the break down by only a touchdown. North County exploded in the second half, outscoring Farmington 31-0.
John Roark started the scoring for Farmington with a 25-yard touchdown reception from Stewart Sago midway through the first quarter. A successful extra point attempt put Farmington on top 7-0.
The Knights held North County at bay by forcing a turnover. Josh Kimrey fell on a Raider fumble at his own 10-yard line to stop a big drive. Farmington would be unable to get anything going however, punting after three unsuccessful plays.
North County would tie the game early in the second quarter. On second down, Mark Stolle swept right, knocked down a defender, and rumbled 57 yards to glory. Mitch Viner drilled home the extra point for the tie.
The Raiders took the lead after a Farmington three and out. Stolle accounted for 56 of North County’s 81 yards on the drive, eventually scoring on a touchdown run from five yards out. Stolle then picked off the first Farmington pass attempt to give North County excellent field position. North County drove all the way to the Knight 19, but their scoring opportunity vanished when a Howard pass was intercepted in the corner of the end zone.
The Raider defense quickly got the ball back, and this time the Raiders would capitalize. Battling the clock, North County drove into the Farmington red zone. Under intense pressure, Adam Howard would abandon the pocket to his right, see an opening, and dash into the end zone for the Raiders third touchdown with only eight seconds remaining until half-time.
It appeared that North County would go into the half leading by two touchdowns, but Farmington had other plans. Sago lofted a deep pass down the middle of the field that hit Jarred Shaner in stride. Shaner would end up in the end zone as time expired, and North County’s lead was cut to 21-14 at the half.
Farmington got the ball to start the third quarter, but quickly gave it back. Kyle Pinkley’s bone-crushing sack on third down ended any hope of a first down, and the Knights were forced to punt. North County scored on their first play from scrimmage, a 35-yard TD catch by Shea Brady.
North County utilized the element of surprise right after, sending a short onside kick to the left sideline. A hustling A.J. Haase would recover on Farmington’s 31-yard line.
Thirteen seconds after his last touchdown, Brady would score another. The Raider receiver made a leaping grab, turned, and rushed into the end zone for his second touchdown of the evening to increase the lead to 35-14.
Farmington continued to have trouble moving the ball. On third down, North County’s Dan Harris blitzed and hit Farmington QB Stewart Sago in the backfield, jarring the ball loose. Kyle Pinkley would recover the fumble for the Raiders. Four plays later, Shea Brady caught his third touchdown pass over the middle from nine yards out to put North County even farther in front.
North County would kick another onside kick that Dan Harris would recover. Two plays later, Adam Howard connected with Lucas Hulsey for fourteen yards and a touchdown before leaving the game. Nick Neeley intercepted a Farmington pass, leading to a 19-yard field goal by Mitch Viner to close the scoring at 52-14.
North County improved to 7-1 on the season. Next week the Raiders travel to Windsor to battle the Owls. Farmington fell to 2-6. The Knights host the De Soto Dragons next Friday.
