Springdale runs past Jefferson-Morgan for coach’s 1st win

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 1, 2017 | 11:57 PM

It was a welcomed feeling for first-year Springdale coach Seth Napierkowski. He recorded his first win as a head coach, and did it in convincing fashion Friday as Springdale defeated Jefferson-Morgan, 42-20, in a nonconference matchup at Veterans Memorial Field.

“It's awesome,” Napierkowski said of the win. “More than anything though, I love these kids. They worked so hard ever since I was hired, and it was such a late start. It's great to see these guys come together here and do a great job as a team. That was Dynamo football right there.”

Springdale finished with 373 yards rushing, spearheaded by senior fullback Scott Landis, who ran for 209 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries.

“That's what our offense is predicated on,” Napierkowski said. “If we can move the line of scrimmage forward, we're going to be successful. That's what we're going to have to do moving forward here.”

With the score tied at seven in the second quarter, the Dynamos (1-1), swung momentum in their favor, going on a 14-play 77-yard drive that was aided by a third-down roughing the passer penalty, and capped off by a 4-yard touchdown run by senior running back Josh Harmon to make the score 14-7.

The following drive by the Rockets (1-1) lasted just two plays as Landis intercepted an errant throw by Jefferson-Morgan junior quarterback Jacob Broadwater to set Springdale up at the Jefferson-Morgan 18. Four plays later, Harmon found the end zone again, this time from 7 yards out to make the score 21-7.

Harmon finished with 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Jefferson-Morgan didn't back down though, as senior receiver DL Garrett took the opening kickoff of the second half and sprinted 89 yards for a touchdown to make the score 21-13.

“Whenever DL has the ball in his hands, he can take the ball to the end zone,” Jefferson-Morgan coach Aaron Giorgi said. “No matter how he gets the ball, whether he's running it, kick returning it or catching the ball he can definitely take it to the end zone every time.”

Springdale answered immediately on the following drive that featured five runs by Landis and ended in his 22-yard touchdown run to extend Springdale's lead to 28-13. It was his second rushing touchdown of the night.

“Springdale has always had that tough-nosed fullback that's not afraid to hit it between the tackles and get the yards after contact,” Napierkowski said. “Scott is one of our leaders for sure offensively and defensively. It's nice to see his hard work pay off. He was dealing with some injuries last year that limited his mobility. It's nice to see him come back healthy this year and show what he can do.”

Broadwater finished with 100 yards passing and two touchdowns for Jefferson-Morgan. In addition to the kick return touchdown, Garrett caught four passes for 92 yards and one touchdown.

D.J. Vasil is a freelance writer.

Tags: Jefferson-Morgan, Springdale