Northwestern capitalizes on turnovers to capture season’s first win
Northwestern capitalized off Dorman’s second half turnovers to rally for their first win of the season 42-28.
The Cavaliers took an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter when Trojans quarterback Dustin Noller bounced back after throwing four incompletions in a row. He then completed five straight passes to wide receiver Jordan Starkes which ended in a 29 yard touchdown. Dorman looked to regain their two-score lead, but an interception in the back of the end zone by Northwestern’s D’Arthur Ratchford turned the momentum back on the side of the Trojans.
Northwestern added another score to tie the game as senior running back Dequez Harris burst up the middle breaking tackles on fourth and one for a 29 yard touchdown run.
The Trojans came out in the second half on fire. They scored 28 unanswered points to take a demanding lead 42-21.
Northwestern head coach David Pierce said “We made adjustments at the end of the first half and when you go down 14-0 to a 5A powerhouse like Dorman most teams will roll up. But our kids showed a lot of grit and belief that we could come back and I’m glad we won the game.”
The combination of Noller and Starkes connected on a 61-yard touchdown pass after a Dorman turnover on downs to put their lead out of reach.
“We don’t talk about individual efforts, but he threw some good strikes and we caught the ball as a team,” Pierce said.
Turning point
The Cavaliers John Gelotte tried to gain extra yards, but fumbled the ball giving the Trojans the ball on the 31-yard line. Northwestern delivered with a touchdown. Dorman then missed a field goal attempt and the Trojans did not look back.
Critical
Dorman turned the ball over three times, which led to three Northwestern touchdowns.
Star contributors
The stars of the game were Nollers and Starkes as Nollers looked for Starkes most of the game. Noller ended up with 341 yards in the air, three passing touchdowns and a 29 yard touchdown run. Starkes added receptions with 195 yards and two touchdowns.
On deck
Northwestern will travel across the border to North Carolina to take on South Mecklenburg.
Box score
Dorman;14;7;0;7;-;28
Northwestern;7;7;14;14;-;42
Scoring summary
First quarter
DHS – Marcus Ratchford 1 run (Marco Flores kick), 7:53
DHS – Ben Batson 2 run (Marco Flores kick), 6:36
NW – Jordan Starkes 29 pass from Dustin Noller (Thomas Gettys kick), 5:54
Second quarter
NW – Dequez Harris 29 run (Thomas Gettys kick), 6:51
DHS – Thomas Morgan 5 run (Marco Flores kick), 2:11
Third quarter
NW – Dequez Harris 5 run (Thomas Gettys kick), 9:18
NW – Jordan Starkes 61 pass from Dustin Noller (Thomas Gettys kick), 0:09
Fourth quarter
NW – Jamario Holley 5 pass from Dustin Noller (Thomas Gettys kick), 8:02
NW – Dustin Noller 29 run (Thomas Gettys kick), 6:59
DHS – Thomas Morgan 4 pass from Ben Batson (Marco Flores kick), 2:39
This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 10:50 PM with the headline "Northwestern capitalizes on turnovers to capture season’s first win."