FOOTBALL: Fast start throttles Lutheran Northwest by rival Oakland Christian
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
ROCHESTER HILLS — Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest has had a difficult time this season getting out of the gate in a hurry.
That problem was definitely remedied against rival Auburn Hills Oakland Christian.
The Crusaders opened with a 12-0 lead and cruised to a 32-7 triumph over the visiting Lancers in MIAC play.
Northwest racked up 243 rushing yards and another 135 yards in the air, while holding Oakland Christian to just 159 yards of total offense in the lopsided affair.
“I think, the previous two weeks, we didn’t start the game well at all,” offered Lutheran Northwest coach Don Justice. “It was nice to see us come out strong from the get-go this time. We got up on them early and I thought we dominated the first half.”
Danny Macks rushed for 151 yards on 17 carries, Zackary Alkire added 22 carries for 86 yards, freshman Jacob Justice had four catches for 74 yards and Alkire finished the night 10-for-15 passing for 123 yards in the Northwest victory.
“(Danny) Macks…what a kid. We are blessed to have him,” said Justice. “He does a little bit of everything for us. But we have a few kids that have done well and our (offensive) line is doing a good job. Macks, Zack Alkire and Michael Justice are all leading us and everyone is playing their parts.”
Oakland Christian (2-2, 0-2) collected only 54 rushing yards, while quarterback Josh Siminski finished 6-for-17 passing for 87 yards and one touchdown pass.
The scoring play was a 43-yard dart from Siminski to Ryder Patterson, which cut the deficit down to 12-7 with 9:21 left in the second quarter. The Lancers would get no closer.
“We missed on our first drive on offense, where I think we should have had a touchdown pass and it kind of went (downhill) from there,” said Oakland Christian coach Rob Novy. “They made some nice plays against us. That’s life — and we move on to the next week.”
Northwest (3-2, 1-1) scored on its first two drives of the first quarter in taking command. The first was a 28-yard sprint off the wheels of Macks, while Alkire trotted into the end zone from six yards out. The extra points failed on both drives.
The Crusaders added two more scoring drives in the first half — a 1-yard plunge by Alkire and a 33-yard stroll by Macks, with the conversion run following the fourth touchdown tacking on two more points.
Northwest scored one final time in the fourth quarter when Alkire raced 55 yards for pay dirt off a punt return to cap the scoring.
“It won’t be easy, but our guys want to make it to the MIAC Bowl and get another shot at (Grosse Pointe Woods University) Liggett,” pointed Justice. “That is our goal. We have some tough games before then, but reaching that game is one of our goals this season.”
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