THIEF RIVER FALLS -- Maybe, the Ridgewater defense had something to prove after allowing five second-half touchdowns a week earlier.
If so, they succeeded. The Warrior defenders slowed a productive Northland Pioneer attack on Saturday and Ridgewater returned from the north country with a 13-6 victory.
Led by linebacker Trent Molacek with nine tackles, the Warriors limited the Pioneers to one touchdown -- a nine-yard run by Velvin Cobbins in the second quarter for 6-0 lead at halftime. The Pioneers had averaged 30 points over their first three games.
Warrior linebackers Tyler Blomme and Matt Wold and tackle Allen Noyes were in on seven tackles each. A big plus for Ridgewater was the punting of Brett Dumke, whose seven punts averaging 42.1 yards left Northland in a deep hole more than once.
Ridgewater's offense moved mainly on the legs of Alex McLaughlin and the holes created by the offensive line and blocking back.
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The sophomore from Apple Valley churned for 212 yards in 27 attempts. His 80-yard run in the third quarter tied the score 6-6.
A five-yard burst in the fourth quarter put Ridgewater ahead.
It was the third 200-yard game for McLaughlin. Brendan Fort added 55 yards in 12 carries.
Walter Rochet, freshman quarterback from Chicago, saw his first extensive action. Between him and Justin Koenen, Ridgewater passed for 34 yards eight attempts.
Ridgewater improved to 3-1 and will be on the road again Saturday at MSCTC-Fergus Falls. That's not a bad thing; all three wins have come away from Hodapp Field in Willmar.
Northland fell to 1-3. Gerald Anderson, the Pioneers' quarterback, ran for 107 yards and passed for 165 but was intercepted by Wold and Blomme.
Ridgewater 13, Northland 6
Ridgewater 0 0 6 7 -- 13
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Northland 0 6 0 0 -- 6
Nor - Velvin Cobbins 9 run (kick fail)
Rgw - Alex McLaughlin 80 run (kick fail)
Rgw - McLaughlin 5 run (Luke Euerle kick)
Ridgewater
Team statistics
First downs: 16 ... Rushing: 48-289 ... Passing (com-att-yds-int.): 5-8-34-0... Fumbles lost: 2 ... Penalties: 9-80
Individual statistics
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Rushing: Alex McLaughlin 27-212, Nik Neubarth 4-6, Brendan Fort 12-55, Walter Rochet 5-15 ... Passing: Justin Koenen 1-1-12-0, Rochet 4-7-22-0 ... Receiving: McLaughin 1-3, Trent Traxler 2-18, Jordan Hanson 1-8, Zach Thissen 1-5 ... Punting: Brett Dumke 7-42.5 ... Interceptions: Tyler Blomme, Matt Wold ... Fumble recoveries: xx ... Tackles (solo-assist): Brandon Torry 2-2, Brett Dumke 1-0, Leon Sargent 1-2, Micah Oates-Jenkins 1-0, Sonny Zahn 1-3, Justin Melhado 4-2, Mickell Brown 1-1, Joe Dopubler 3-0, Trent Molacek 7-2, Tyler Blomme 5-2, Matt Wold 2-5, Cory Johnson 1-0, Allen Noyes 4-3 ... QB sacks: Doubler 1, Noyes 2
Northland CTC
Team statistics
First downs: 11 ... Rushing: 38-177 ... Passing (com-att-yds-int.): 8-27-165-0 ... Fumbles lost: 0 ... Penalties: 3-25
Individual statistics
Rushing: Velvin Cobbins 12-32, Gerald Anderson 14-107 Ken Vieux 1-4, Tyquin Kelly 9-21, Vince Furby 2-12 ... Passing: Anderson 8-27-165-0 ... Receiving: Furby 4-101, Lyonel Vieux 1-40, Kashif Walls 2-24 ... Punting: Anthony Gust 8-24.5 ... Interceptions: none ... Fumble recoveries: not available
