Northwestern grits out a victory over Gaffney 17-13

[trojangrad78]

A new head coach and offensive coordinator tonight. What was different? A new attitude and demeanor in the players. There was a new sense of team chemistry that showed a resilience in gritting out a tough victory.

It was a game where two fairly evenly matched teams went toe to toe. Northwestern spurted out to a 17-0 lead, but Gaffney's offensive line took control of the line of scrimmage in the third quarte. Gaffney lost a fumble late when driving for the go-ahead score. Northwestern's defense also had a stop late in the game on a fourth down. Northwestern's offense could not move the ball at all in the second half. Gaffney got the ball with time for one last drive against a gassed Northwestern defensive line.

The head coach (and defensive coordinator) gambled all in with blitzing. Gaffney's offensive line had to resort to holding, resulting in finally a fourth and a mile. The Gaffney quarterback was sacked. Game to Northwestern.

The affect of the coaching change could be seen on the sideline. There was a calmness and confidence, discipline, attentiveness, and effort that was not there previously. There was a completely different feeling in the stands, too.

Going forward, I still expect that we should win our region and a first round playoff victory is a possibility now. I don't see going past that. We just don't have the horses this year.

There is a fresh sense of excitement for the rest of the season.

[EHSMeanGreen]

Good Read.

Congrats on your Trojans win!