Published: October 16, 2009 11:08 pm      

Powerful Rockies roll past Panthers

NAPPANEE, Ind — NorthWood enjoyed a goal-line stand and a 99-yard drive in the second half Friday.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, the first two quarters was all Plymouth, as the Rockies posted four touchdowns in the first half and secured an outright conference crown with a 35-14 win over NorthWood in the season finale.

Plymouth won the Northern Lakes Conference with a 7-0 mark, and also completed a perfect 9-0 season. NorthWood finished 5-4 overall and 4-3 in the NLC.

The Rockie backfield ran wild in the first half, as Plymouth amassed 258 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Trent Keyser led Plymouth with 155 yards on just seven carries, Brock Smith added 80 yards on nine rushes, and each back ran for a touchdown.

“Plymouth has so many weapons and so much team speed, and they are tough to tackle,” said NorthWood coach Scott Hoover. “But there were some positives we can build on.”

After trailing 28-7 at intermission, NorthWood played inspired football in the second half. The defense stuffed Plymouth on fourth down from the Panther 1, and when NorthWood took over, the Panthers drove the 99 yards in 13 plays for the score. Christian Diemer rushed for 52 yards in the second half, while quarterback Brant Nine threw for 59 second-half yards. Tony Miranda scored both Panther touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving.

“The effort we gave in the second half, that is the kind of effort we have been missing,” Hoover said. “We can build on that for the new season.”

NorthWood’s new season begins Friday, when the Panthers travel to Lakeland for the first round of the Class 3A sectional.