LINDEN — North Montgomery has had a variety of twists and turns this football season. Missing two games due to COVID-19, then a win and a loss in their last two games, the Chargers are ready to put all of that behind them tonight as they take on Yorktown (5-4) at home to open the Class 3A Sectional 28 beginning at 7:30. After defeating Frankfort 22-12 two weeks ago, the Chargers defense held Danville to just ten points last week in a 10-0 loss. Defense has been the Chargers calling card for much of the season and they will be in for another challenge as they welcome in a prolific Tigers passing attack.
“I think we match up well them, and they’re a good draw for us,” North Montgomery coach Josh Thompson said. “We have to be ready to execute from the opening kickoff and do the little things that we need to do to be successful.”
The Tigers are led by Sophomore Quarterback Mason Moulton who has thrown for 1835 yards this season and 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Jalen Thomas is the lead back for the Tigers with 357 yards on 84 attempts.
After containing the high-powered Warrior offense last week, Thompson sees the momentum and confidence boiling over into the post-season.
“I think our kids should be proud of the way they played last week,” he said. “We played well with Danville. We’ve been talking about with them that they have to believe in themselves every single play and if we continue to do those things I think we can be successful. We just have to make sure they earn everything they get.”
On paper the Chargers have the style of play that can slow down a high-powered offensive team. Offensively, North Montgomery has put up some impressive numbers on the ground this season. Three times the Chargers have tallied at least 146 yards on the ground including going over the 200 yard mark twice, when they ran for 242 yards against Crawfordsville, and a 314 yard effort in the win over Frankfort.
“We have to be able to maintain our drives and move the football like we know we can,” Thompson said. “Most importantly we have to end in the end zone and score and I think that we’ll be able to do that.”
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Tigers and the Chargers. The winner will advance to host either No.1 West Lafayette or No.2 Brebeuf as the top two teams in Class 3A drew one another in the opening round.
