Northview falls to 7th ranked Walton

The Northview Titans went helmet to helmet against the Walton Raiders Friday night at Titan Stadium. The Titans played hard for one quarter. Unfortunately for Northview, the rules say you have to play four of them.

When the game clock showed triple zeros at 10:05 p.m., it also showed numbers that told the story of the game. Walton 35, Northview 14. Some would say it wasn't that close, including Titan head coach Don Savage.

"We were out-coached, we were out-kicked, we were out-tackled, we were out- everything," he told his team after the game. "I'm embarrassed. I'm not embarrassed of you, I'm embarrassed for us."

If the Titan players thought they were going to be chewed out by the coach as they knelt around him, they were mistaken. Savage pointed no fingers, except at himself and his coaches. His final words to his players were meant to restore confidence.

"I'd much rather be right here with you guys than down there," he said pointing to the Walton end of the field where the Raiders were high fiving one another.

"We're three and two, everything's fine," he continued, trying to stay positive. "Let's get better next week. We're going to leave this field as a family with our heads up. We will get better."

The Titans knew they would be tested by Walton after seeing the Raiders knock off the State's top ranked Roswell Hornets the week before. It turned out to be more than a test. It was a lesson in every phase of the game.

With Walton senior running back J.J Jackson ripping the Northview defense to shreds, and kicker Adam Shreiner booting four field goals, including 44 and 53 yarders, the Raiders built a 20-0 lead before the Titans got on the scoreboard. Jackson finished with 151 yards on 21 carries, averaging over six yards a carry.

Northview got its first score late in the third quarter when quarterback Justin Tuggle found wide receiver Xzavian Brandon in the end zone from six yards out.

The Raiders had climbed to 30-7 when Northview scored again on a one-yard run by junior running back Samoir Patrick.

Walton added twelve more points in the 4th quarter, including a safety, and that 53 yard field goal with seconds to go in the game, to make the final score Walton 35, Northview 14.

As the players were leaving the field after the game, each heading to the same gate, Walton senior nose guard Bradley Schwartz told his team to stop in their tracks to let the Titans pass. The Walton players immediately ended their celebrating and stood quietly as the Titans left the field. It was a nice display of sportsmanship.

Each Northview player exited with his head held high.