North Central has best season since 2006

         Terre Haute -- North Central’s offense appeared to be still stuck in high way construction zones between Indianapolis and Terre Haute before rebounding to defeat host Terre Haute North 43-29 – attaining a winning regular season for the first time since 2006.
         North Central (5-4) will travel to Class 5A top-ranked Warren Central (9-0) Friday in the first round of the Sectional 5 state football tournament with a three-game winning streak.
         But in the first quarter, North Central’s offense appeared still stuck in traffic. The Panthers lost two fumbles in the first quarter and fell behind 14-0. But the running of Jalen McIntyre and the timely passing and running of Gavin Alexander helped North Central find the road to victory.
         The comeback started in the second quarter. Facing a third-down-and 17 from the 48-yard line, Alexander raced up the field for a 14-yard gain. On fourth-and-3, McIntyre followed with 9-yard run to keep the drive alive. Three plays later, McIntyre scored the first of his four touchdowns on a 4-yard run, making the score 14-7.
         In the second quarter, North Central continued to find its way. On its next possession, North Central used only three plays that ended with a McIntyre 8-yard run. The big play in the drive was Alexander’s 55-yard pass to wide receiver Reidus Trimble.  On the extra point, back-up quarterback and point-after touchdown holder Michael Loggan threw a pass to Matt Hicks for a two-point conversion, giving North Central a 15-14 lead. It was a lead North Central wouldn’t relinquish.
               In the quarter, Alexander was 3-of-5 passing for 94 yards. He finished the game 5-of-11 passing for 114 yards. He also had 13 carries for 74 yards. and scored on a 20-yard run.
              But it was McIntyre who had his way navigating through the Terre Haute North defense. He finished the game with 26 carries for a career-high 163 yards. He scored on runs of 4, 8, 7, and 19 yards.
                Whenever Terre Haute tried to make the game close, North Central’s defense would come up with a big play. North Central had a strong pass rush, getting a quarterback sack each from two-way linemen Darius Latham and Michael Raby and linebackers Jeff Harris and Wanya Johnson.
                Led by cornerback Melvin Graham, the North Central defensive backs also put up blockades to any Terre Haute North comeback attempts. Graham, a senior, had two interceptions. Cornerback Korey Rogan and Raby, a defensive end, each added an interception. Raby returned his pick for a 10-yard score.
               Melvin’s brother, sophomore middle linebacker Sherrod Graham, was also credited for helping to stop Terre Haute’s running game by making sideline-to-sideline tackles.
               It took a while to get there, but it may have been one of North Central’s best team efforts of the season.          

North Central's football team sings the school song to celebrate its 43-29 victory over Terre Haute North

     

North Central ends its losing streak; tops Terre Haute South

Literally and figuratively, North Central ran away with a 47-0 Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference victory over visiting Terre Haute South Friday night in Indiana high school football, ending the Panthers four-game losing streak.

            It was also North Central’s first home victory since 2008.
            North Central’s overwhelming victory also led to two trivia questions:
            When was the last time the Panthers scored more than 40 points in a game, and when was the last time they recorded a shutout?
            Nonetheless, it was the running game and a tough defense that led to the victory.  Jalen McIntyre carried the ball 22 times and finished with 121 yards.  Halfback Kevin Davis added 62 yards on nine carries, scoring on runs of 5 and 1 yard. McIntyre also scored twice, on runs of 10 and 15 yards. Halfback Brandon Alexander also scored on a 1-yard run.
            In the air, quarterback Gavin Alexander completed 5-of-9 for 98 yards on the windy, cool day. He also had five carries for 32 yards, scoring on a 14-yard run.  Jordan Williams had three catches for 80 yards and Krayshawn Brewer had two catches for 18 yards.
             Gavin Alexander was relieved by Michael Loggan in the fourth quarter with North Central leading 40-0. Loggan kept the running attack going, scoring on a 25-yard run to end the scoring.
             North Central’s defense was also tough, getting two quarterback sacks from Michael Raby and one from Darius Latham.
             North Central (3-4) travels to MIC-rival Center Grove (5-2) on Friday.