GALION — The Northmor Golden Knights had no issues with the visiting Mount Gilead Indians in their week eight Knox-Morrow Athletic Conference meeting.
Despite only leading 6-0 at halftime, Northmor would go on to win big; 42-8. The Knights remain undefeated at 8-0 on the season and sit atop the KMAC at 5-0. As for Mount Gilead, they fall to 0-8 overall and 0-5 within the conference.
In week nine play, the Golden Knights will head to Centerburg for a meeting with the hosting Trojans (4-4, 2-3). Centerburg was shutout on the road at Danville (3-5, 3-2); 42-0 in week eight. For the Indians, they will be at Danville against the Blue Devils.
After a scoreless first quarter, Northmor would put their only six points of the first half on the board thanks to a 16-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Mariotti to Gavin Ramos. Nate Ruhl’s extra-point attempt was no good.
With just 15 seconds gone in the third quarter, the Knights would score again thanks to a 73-yard rushing touchdown from Conor Becker. Becker would also dash in on the two-point conversion attempt to bring the Northmor lead to 14-0. It would be the Northmor defense that would score next as Blake Miller scooped up a Mount Gilead fumble and return it 50 yards for the score. Ruhl proceeded to add the PAT and make it a 21-0 lead for the home team. Mariotti would find Cole Dille for a 64-yard aerial strike and Ruhl added the extra-point to expand the lead further; 28-0. With just 40 seconds remaining in the third frame, Becker busted out another long run for a touchdown, this one from 85 yards and the Ruhl PAT made it 35-0 after three.
With 7:19 left in the game, Northmor would score their final touchdown thanks to a 33-yard dash by Becker and the PAT made it 42-0. Mount Gilead would spoil the shutout by the Knights as they scored with 3:06 remaining on a five-yard run by Nathan Rogers. Brady Mermann ran in the two-point attempt and the score reached its final of 42-8.
The Golden Knights posted 353 yards of total offense (130 passing, 223 rushing) while the Indians managed 251 yards (91 passing, 160 rushing). Mount Gilead controlled the ball for most of the game, recording a time of possession mark of 32:52 to Northmor’s 13:34. However, the visiting Indians did commit five turnovers on the night.
Becker finished with 11 carries for 213 yards and three scores while also catching one pass for two yards. Mariotti completed 7/11 of his pass attempts for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Dille was the primary receiver for Mariotti, catching three passes for 102 yards and a TD. Ramos caught two passes for 16 yards and the other Mariotti touchdown pass. Miller caught the other pass from the Northmor quarterback on the night for 10 yards.
On the ground, Austin Hammond carried the ball twice for 11 yards and Garrett Corwin picked up four yards on two carries in the victory.
Defensively, Miller had the fumble recovery for the TD while also notching an interception while Chris Bood picked-off the Mount Gilead quarterback twice in their week eight win.
In other KMAC action from Friday, the East Knox Bulldogs (7-1, 4-1) won at Fredericktown (1-7, 1-4); 54-7. Highland remained undefeated in conference play (7-1, 4-1) by defeating Cardington (0-8, 0-5) on their home field; 41-7.
