Staff Report
Lawrence North had to play from behind, but a strong third quarter and a defense that came up with timely stops proved to be the difference as the Wildcats rallied for a 17-13 victory over Lawrence Central.
After being shut out in the opening quarter, Lawrence North scored 17 unanswered points over the next two periods to erase an early 7-0 deficit. The Wildcats then held off a fourth-quarter Lawrence Central comeback to secure the four-point victory.
Lawrence Central controlled the early stages of the game, scoring the only touchdown of the first quarter and taking a 7-0 advantage into the second period.
Lawrence North’s offense began to find its footing in the second quarter.
Quarterback Darian Prather helped bring the Wildcats even when he connected with Davion Dean for a 16-yard touchdown pass. Cameron Knox added the extra point, tying the game at 7-7 and sending the teams into halftime on even terms.
Whatever momentum Lawrence North generated before halftime carried over in a big way after the break.
The Wildcats took their first lead of the game in the third quarter when Knox converted a 23-yard field goal, giving Lawrence North a 10-7 advantage.
Then came the biggest offensive play of the night.
With Jackson Nowling at quarterback, Lawrence North struck quickly through the air. Nowling found Izayveon Moore for a 62-yard touchdown pass, and Knox’s extra point stretched the Wildcats’ advantage to 17-7.
It completed a 17-point Lawrence North response after the Wildcats had fallen behind 7-0 in the opening quarter.
Lawrence Central wasn’t finished.
The Bears answered with a touchdown in the fourth quarter to pull within 17-13, turning the closing minutes into a battle for survival for the Wildcats.
This time, Lawrence North’s defense made the 17 points stand.
The Wildcats’ defensive effort was led by Brayden Wilson, who finished with seven tackles, two assists and a pass breakup. Anthony Whitfield was another major factor, recording five tackles, two assists, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.
Davion Jones contributed five tackles and recovered a fumble, while Ladavion Robinson registered five tackles and two tackles for loss.
Lawrence North also generated pressure in the Lawrence Central backfield. Makai Redwine recorded a sack and two tackles for loss, while Jaxson Owens contributed a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Andre Watson recovered another Lawrence Central fumble.
Those turnovers and negative plays became especially valuable in a game in which neither offense was able to completely take control.
Lawrence North finished with 288 yards of total offense, including 188 through the air and 100 on the ground.
Izayveon Moore carried much of the rushing workload, finishing with 65 yards on 24 attempts.
The Wildcats used three quarterbacks during the game.
Prather completed 9 of 19 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown, including his 16-yard scoring connection with Dean. Nowling provided the game’s biggest passing play and finished 4-of-6 for 93 yards and a touchdown. Kiptyn Geier completed his only attempt for 19 yards. Keivon Mattox led Lawrence North with five receptions for 31 yards.
The game’s progression told the story.
Lawrence Central owned the first quarter and led 7-0. Lawrence North answered in the second to make it 7-7 at halftime. The Wildcats then seized control with 10 unanswered points in the third quarter, getting Knox’s field goal and the 62-yard Nowling-to-Moore touchdown to build a 17-7 cushion.
That cushion proved just large enough.
Lawrence Central made one final push with a fourth-quarter touchdown, but the Lawrence North defense prevented the Bears from completing the comeback, preserving a 17-13 victory in a game decided by the Wildcats’ third-quarter surge and their ability to protect the lead down the stretch.
