LINDEN – Hugs. Tears. Reflection.
Coach Josh Thompson participated and took in those emotions surrounding the final time on the field for 13 seniors after North Montgomery fell to No. 8 Tri-West 42-6 Friday evening.
The mob of players and staff slowly moved off Charger Field following the IHSAA football Sectional 29 second round defeat, soaking in the memories.
“We have 13 seniors and two senior managers that have been around our program for a very long time,” Thompson said tearfully. “They put a lot of time and effort and have all grown and matured into outstanding young men. We hate to see it end for them, but I couldn’t be prouder of these kids.”
The Bruins (10-1) won their 12th straight over North and move to the sectional championship game this Friday at Monrovia, which eliminated Speedway.
Tri-West scored on its first four possessions and raced to a 29-0 halftime lead. North could only muster three punts and two turnovers on its first half touches.
A 71-yard touchdown pass from Bruin junior star quarterback Malachi Walden to Jimmy Sorgi on the opening play of the third quarter pushed it to 35-0 and initiated a running clock the remainder of the game.
“We tried to make some tweaks to handle what they were doing. Unfortunately, we didn’t do a good enough job of getting the boys ready for tonight. I do believe Tri-West is a good football team. But that’s on us coaches. I don’t want to take anything away from our kids.”
Effort and playing hard, two traits preached by Thompson and his staff, have never been an issue.
“Not with these kids. They’re very physical. They like to hit. Some of that is because they’ve been around this game for a long time and they’re used to it. These kids love to play football and you can tell.”
North (6-5) scored on the last play of the third quarter following the final Tri-West touchdown, which was a 68-yard punt return by Noah Lien. Senior quarterback Ross Dyson capped a five-play, 65-yard drive with a 37-yard strike down the west sideline to Kelby Harwood for the final outcome. The throw was Dyson’s 12th touchdown of the season and the fifth to the junior receiver.
Walden was the usual weapon as he rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half. He added 162 through the air.
Dyson warmed up some in the second half after only three failed pass attempts in the first 24 minutes. He finished 5-of-10 for 92 yards.
The Chargers were outgained on the ground 206-91. Another senior, Noah Hopkins, led North with 39 yards on five carries.
Senior Jarod Kirsch had some key stops on defense and also let his leg attempt to help the cause. He punted three times in the first half, including a 47 yarder to pin the visitors inside their 10-yard line.
Thompson reached the sectional semi-final for the sixth time in his 10 years as head coach. He and his team know the 2024 season preparation starts now.
“We do have some good kids coming back, but we have some big shoes to fill. We talk to the kids a lot you have to trust the process. It’s the weights, we have to get bigger, faster, stronger. That carries over.”
