It was penalty-filled Friday night at Chambers Field at North Side High School.
To begin SAC play, the North Side Legends hosted the Northrop Bruins for their Homecoming night. In then end, the Bruins were able to defeat the Legends 26-20.
Unfortunately, the Legends’ first home game was a night full of penalties and key players going down with cramps/injuries throughout.
The Bruins went into halftime with a 20-6 lead and had the Legends on the ropes. The Legends were able to make a late comeback, but it was too little too late. Northrop’s first wins in consecutive years over North Side since 2016-18.
The night didn’t start off too well for the Legends, who seemed to come out a little flat early and Northrop took full advantage. On the first drive, the Bruins began with a favorable spot and drove quickly down the field and aimed to establish their running attack early with Kobe Reese. The first drive ended with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Braydon Peppler to freshman wide receiver Jaydin Haller.
Haller’s performance stood out as one of the most impressive. In addition to his 30-yard touchdown reception, he also had a huge 50-yard reception that pretty much sealed the victory for the Bruins. He also had the task of covering Maalik Moore on defense as DB most of the night and did a solid job there as well, almost coming up with an interception and a few pass deflections. He has quickly become one of the most elite prospects in the area and when Class of 2030 rankings come out nationally, watch for his name.
Offensively, Northrop’s offensive line was impressive all night. They often created huge gaps for Reese and the other Hedgehogs to make plays in space and gave Peppler enough time to find a target for huge plays when they needed them most.
That was the difference in this game. North Side’s offensive line struggled to slow down Michigan commit Ifeanyi Emedobi and Kent State commit Camden Day.
North Side quarterback Brandon Sanders showed he could handle the constant pressure and still was able to make some key plays with screens and even multiple first-down runs in the 4th quarter to keep the Legends in the game.
Athlete Maalik Moore was the key contributor for North Side, providing a punt-return for a touchdown and a rushing touchdown from Wildcat in the 4th quarter when Sanders was momentarily sidelined with some cramps.
North Side running back Brandon Gaither ii also had a solid game that included a 20-yard rushing touchdown. Running back/wide receiver had a few flashy catches and yards after catch as well for the Legends, they just couldn’t get it going early enough.
Defensively, Iowa State commit Leslie Woodson, and linebacker Jemarcus Martin were flying everywhere for the Legends and seemed to always be where the ball carrier was. This includes Martin tackling Reese in the endzone for a safety to make it 20-8 and lit a spark in the Legends and got them back in the game.
All in all, the tremendous amount of talent didn’t disappoint on either side.
It ended up being a competitive game that helped showcase all of the Division 1 talent and elite talent we have to offer in Northeast Indiana.
Northrop head coach John Schaefer picked up his first win as the coach of the program and enjoyed a nice gatorade bath as the team took a kneel and enjoyed the victory.
Next week, the Bruins will host the Homestead Spartans. The Legends will face the Concordia Cadets on the road.
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