Everything clicks for NorthWood football in regional title win over New Prairie

NAPPANEE — Everything seemed to come together Friday night for NorthWood.

The passing game was efficient. The rush defense was stymy. It looked like what people expected the Panthers to be all season.

NorthWood scored the first 28 points against New Prairie and never looked back, winning 38-14 to win a Class 4A regional championship, the program’s first since 2016.

“It’s hard to execute,” NorthWood coach Nate Andrews said. “There’s so many moving parts and pieces and kids, and we play teams that get coached. They have good kids over there. Things clicked a little bit more (Friday night); that’s happened a few times.”

The first drive of the game was masterful by the Panthers. Senior quarterback Owen Roeder connected on all five of his pass attempts to five different receivers, the last one being a 20-yard touchdown pass to senior Seth Russell. In 90 seconds, NorthWood led, 7-0.

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The Panthers (11-2) utilized its big-play ability on its next score, with Roeder throwing a short slant pass to wideout NiTareon Tuggle. The senior showed off his “Nitro” nickname from there, running through the Cougars defense for a 66-yard score.

“The offensive line was tremendous,” Andrews said. “They kept it clean and allowed guys to run in space. The way they were defending us, we were able to execute, fortunately.”

Two short Roeder runs capped off the other two touchdown drives in the half for the Panthers. The first one was a 14-play, 87-yard march down the field, with the second taking six plays and 57 yards total.

“We know how explosive they are on offense,” New Prairie coach Casey McKim said. “… They played a great football game from top to bottom in all aspects, and we did not.”

Late first half field goal helps NorthWood maintain control

New Prairie (10-3) finally broke through when senior quarterback Marshall Kmiecik scored on a six-yard touchdown run with 38.7 seconds remaining in the first half.

NorthWood found a way into field goal range, however, and junior Dominic De Freitas rewarded his team by booming a 47-yard field goal as time expired. It zapped all the momentum away from New Prairie, as an interception early in the third quarter led to another Tuggle touchdown catch for NorthWood, putting the proverbial bow on the game.

“That was really cool,” Andrews said. “Credit to our coaching staff for having enough guts to stop the clock and knowing we might have an opportunity with under a minute to go. We took some little chunks they gave us, and we’ve got a great weapon to finish it.”

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Although a disappointing loss for the Cougars, the senior class goes out with three straight sectional championships, a regional title in 2021 and a state finals appearance in 2022.

“It’s to celebrate (the seniors) right now, but then there’s going to be a time where we look at ourselves and the kids that need to understand what it’s like to be here and see it cut short like this,” McKim said. “We need to think about what needs to be done to make sure you play as long as you can.”

What’s next for NorthWood football

NorthWood heads on the road next week to take on Leo, who were 41-0 winners over Mississinewa in a 4A regional contest Friday night. Leo has ended the Panthers’ season four times in the last 12 years, including three times in Andrews’ tenure (2014, 2019, 2020).

“Love going on the road,” Andrews said. “It’s a blast. Really, it always is fun. That opportunity, we’ll cherish.”

NorthWood 38, New Prairie 14

SCORING PLAYS

FIRST QUARTER

NW – Seth Russell 20-yard pass from Owen Roeder at 10:30 (Dominic De Freitas kick)

NW – NiTareon Tuggle 66-yard pass from Roeder at 4:56 (De Freitas kick)

SECOND QUARTER

NW – Roeder 2-yard run at 9:01 (De Freitas kick)

NW – Roeder 1-yard run at 5:06 (De Freitas kick)

NP – Marshall Kmiecik 6-yard run at 38.7 (Owen Chalik kick)

NW – De Freitas 47-yard field goal as time expires

THIRD QUARTER

NW – Tuggle 38-yard pass from Roeder at 8:17 (De Freitas kick)

FOURTH QUARTER

NP – Trenton Klute 30-yard interception return at 7:14 (Chalik kick)

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Everything clicks for NorthWood football in regional title win over New Prairie