Northeast rolls through rain, Roxborough
Sometimes slippery, often ugly, definitely chilly, and absolutely wet throughout, Northeast's 38-12 victory against host Roxborough on Friday illustrated just how well winning can make nearly any condition enjoyable.
Sometimes slippery, often ugly, definitely chilly, and absolutely wet throughout, Northeast's 38-12 victory against host Roxborough on Friday illustrated just how well winning can make nearly any condition enjoyable.
"It was fun," Northeast junior Keith Moore III said of the Public League Independence division contest. "It's fun when you're winning. When you're not winning and you're in this weather it's not fun, but if you're winning - it's great."
With a Nor'easter closing in on the East Coast, consistent precipitation - sometimes whipping sideways - wreaked havoc on the grass field at Pechin and Hermitage streets in Roxborough.
Viscous patches of mud lined midfield, while puddles pooled on the sidelines. The result was five combined fumbles (two by Northeast, three by Roxborough).
The field couldn't even hold onto a member of the chain crew.
In the third quarter, a young man helping with the chain crew threw in the towel, causing a brief delay until a brave replacement was found.
"It was pretty hectic with all the mud and the rain," Moore III said. "It was hard to get your feet up, but at the end of the day, it's football. You've got to do what you've got to do."
Moore III, a Lawncrest resident, finished with a pair of rushing touchdowns for the Vikings (5-0, 3-0). Bejon Pryce, a senior defensive end and tight end, also returned a fumble for a 58-yard score.
For Roxborough (2-3, 1-2), junior Makai Young rushed for a touchdown and caught one.
The undefeated Vikings, however, continued their winning ways.
"This is the best start I've been a part of since I've been here," said Moore III, who started as a freshman. "We made it to the [Public League] semifinals, but started off 0-4 in my first two seasons. We still made it to the playoffs, but this is the best season by far."
Third-year coach Phil Gormley appreciates his team's hot start, but wanted his squad to stay on task against the Indians.
"It's hard to keep them focused and headed in the right direction sometimes," said Gormley, who credited his staff for keeping his team in line. "Roxborough had some talented players over there. I don't want us to think we can look past any team. We're not good enough for that. We're too young for that."
Next week, Northeast will be challenged by Martin Luther King, which entered Friday tied with the Vikings atop the division.
"To keep this thing moving," Moore III said, "we just have to worry about the next game and stay focused and play as a team."
Northeast 0 24 8 6 - 38
Roxborough 0 0 6 6 - 12
NE: Keith Moore III 14 run (Amir Paulk run)
NE: Bejon Pryce 58 fumble (Paulk run)
NE: Moore III 2 run (Paulk run)
R: Makai Young 8 pass from Jeff Mannings (pass failed)
NE: Rey Galvis 2 run (Kevin Prosper run)
NE: Quinyon Wooden 3 run (fun failed)
R: Young 2 run (run failed)
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