Greater Grand Forks football this week: East Grand Forks' Nowacki adds to Wave firepower

Sep. 7—GRAND FORKS — East Grand Forks' Jordan Nowacki didn't have a significant role with the Green Wave offense last season until the junior varsity season was finished.

"When Caleb Schmiedeberg was hurt last year, we needed another guy who could give us that speed," Green Wave coach Ryan Kasowski said. "He's explosive and can get the edge. You can see the confidence as a junior as opposed to what you saw as a sophomore."

Nowacki had nine carries for 46 yards in East Grand Forks' season-opening 33-7 win at Crookston. He had an 11-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and an 88-yard kickoff return in the second half.

Nowacki was one of eight different East Grand Forks players to receive a carry against Crookston. Kasowski said that wasn't just a product of jumping out to an early lead against Crookston.

"We feel like we have a lot of good backs," Kasowski said. "We want to distribute the ball to multiple guys as the season goes on because you never know with injuries and wear and tear."

The Green Wave host Little Falls at 6 p.m. Friday. Little Falls enters 1-0 after a 30-16 win over Pierz in Week 1.

Little Falls junior quarterback Gavin Anderson threw for 184 yards against Pierz on 8-for-19 passing with three touchdowns. His top target was Isaac Olson, who caught four passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. Hank LeClair caught two passes for 80 yards. LeClair also ran 13 times for 113 yards.

"They're really athletic," Kasowski said. "It's really different than what we see on a regular basis in our section. This team loves to throw the ball, which is something we don't see a lot. They pose challenges in the open field. We've really stressed this week we need 11 hats to the ball."

Central's brutal schedule continues. After facing the state's No. 1 (Fargo North) and No. 3 (Fargo South) in the last two weeks, the Knights play the state's No. 4 (Jamestown) at Cushman at 6 p.m. Friday.

Last week, the Knights struggled with quarterback-center exchanges, allowing the Bruins' physical running backs to wear on the defense.

"We talked about how we have to build on the good, work on the bad and eliminate what's causing us to lose games," Central coach Jake Schauer said. "That's a lot of the little things. Some is bad snaps and some is missed alignments and pass protections."

Schauer said Central will handle a decision at quarterback on a week-to-week basis.

The Knights have rotated senior Noah Morkve, sophomore Noah Lease and standout wide receiver Jack Simmers at quarterback.

"Morkve is still very much in the mix," Schauer said. "One thing we want to improve is how we use Jack. I just call him a position-less player. When he has the ball, good things can really happen."

Polk County West football coach Darrin Byklum is looking for a cleaner performance this week after five second-half turnovers spoiled the Thunder season opener at West Central in a 14-8 loss.

PCW plays at Mahnomen-Waubun on Friday at 7 p.m.

"There were lots of first-game mistakes and jitters," Byklum said. "We had our chances. Consistency, taking care of the football and getting it done up front are the focus at practice this week."

PCW running back Mike Gapp finished with 113 rushing yards in Week 1.

"We have to be more consistent up front so we can get more consistent in the backfield," Byklum said.

Mahnomen-Waubun, a strong program annually, beat Benson 37-0 in Week 1. Mahnomen-Waubun quarterback Blake McMullen ran for three touchdowns and passed for one more in the opener.

"It's always a good battle when we play them," Byklum said. "It seems like the last few times it's a one or two-score game."

Grand Forks Red River, ranked No. 2 in the last state poll, travels to face Turtle Mountain, a team the Roughriders beat 47-12 last season.

The game will be played at Rolla High School at 7 p.m. Friday.

Red River is looking to start a season 4-0 for the first time since 2012.

A week ago, Red River quarterback Pearce Parks threw for 206 yards, running back Thomas Kraft ran for 72 and wide receiver Hayden Hong caught five balls for 99 yards.

Turtle Mountain lost to Jamestown 48-12 last Friday.