Davidson dominates Northland from start
By Jim Massie The Columbus Dispatch Sunday November 7, 2010 10:42 AM
Northland coach Kevin Tooson sighed deeply last night and nodded in the direction of a Hilliard Davidson team that had just demolished his Vikings 47-6 in the quarterfinal round of the Division I state football playoffs.
"That's the best team that we've faced thus far," Tooson said. "I mean, it isn't even close. It's not even a talent thing. It's the way they approach the games - blocking whistle to whistle, being assignment-sound, and coaches working together.
"It was masterful, man. They're very good. You know what? That team was better. No more victories here. It's going to be a hell of a team that beats them."
The Wildcats (11-0), the defending Division I state champions, settled the game by playing a nearly perfect first half in the Hilliard Davidson Athletic Complex.
They didn't allow the Vikings, who were making their first playoff appearance, to record a first down in the first half, while they scored touchdowns on their first five possessions.
The half ended with a play that fairly shouted how many more weapons the home team brought into the game. Following a fair catch after a Northland punt, Hilliard Davidson coach Brian White sent kicker J.D. Detmer onto the field with 5.6 seconds remaining and the goal post 58 yards away.
Detmer proceeded to boot the free kick through the uprights for the fourth-longest field goal in Ohio High School Athletic Association history and a 40-0 lead.
"We practice that every once in a while," Detmer said. "It's just kind of there in case we ever have the opportunity. It's really awesome. I'm pretty happy. It was a good, solid win, and I was just doing my part."
White was thrilled with the way his players went after the co-champions of the City League North Division.
"We were coming off a big win over Darby last week, and it's easy for the kids to lose focus and start to compare scores and so forth," he said. "Our kids didn't do that."
On the first play after the opening kickoff, Chase Delande intercepted a pass by Northland quarterback Jermaine Harris to jump-start the Wildcat offense. Tyler Talbott finished a seven-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown run.
The Davidson defense forced the Vikings to punt on their next possession, and Talbott scooted 42 yards on the return for a second touchdown. The lead was 14-0 after Detmer's second point-after kick.
"I thought special teams were a big asset for us tonight," White said. "Obviously our kicker, J.D. Detmer, was, and not just for the big kick he made. His punting, kicking off into the end zone so they couldn't get returns, I thought set a tone and allowed us to keep field position."
Northland avoided a shutout with a 27-yard touchdown run by J.J. Saunders in the fourth quarter.
Alex Mickley scored three touchdowns for Davidson.
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Northland coach Kevin Tooson sighed deeply last night and nodded in the direction of a Hilliard Davidson team that had just demolished his Vikings 47-6 in the quarterfinal round of the Division I state football playoffs.
"That's the best team that we've faced thus far," Tooson said. "I mean, it isn't even close. It's not even a talent thing. It's the way they approach the games - blocking whistle to whistle, being assignment-sound, and coaches working together.
"It was masterful, man. They're very good. You know what? That team was better. No more victories here. It's going to be a hell of a team that beats them."
The Wildcats (11-0), the defending Division I state champions, settled the game by playing a nearly perfect first half in the Hilliard Davidson Athletic Complex.
They didn't allow the Vikings, who were making their first playoff appearance, to record a first down in the first half, while they scored touchdowns on their first five possessions.
The half ended with a play that fairly shouted how many more weapons the home team brought into the game. Following a fair catch after a Northland punt, Hilliard Davidson coach Brian White sent kicker J.D. Detmer onto the field with 5.6 seconds remaining and the goal post 58 yards away.
Detmer proceeded to boot the free kick through the uprights for the fourth-longest field goal in Ohio High School Athletic Association history and a 40-0 lead.
"We practice that every once in a while," Detmer said. "It's just kind of there in case we ever have the opportunity. It's really awesome. I'm pretty happy. It was a good, solid win, and I was just doing my part."
White was thrilled with the way his players went after the co-champions of the City League North Division.
"We were coming off a big win over Darby last week, and it's easy for the kids to lose focus and start to compare scores and so forth," he said. "Our kids didn't do that."
On the first play after the opening kickoff, Chase Delande intercepted a pass by Northland quarterback Jermaine Harris to jump-start the Wildcat offense. Tyler Talbott finished a seven-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown run.
The Davidson defense forced the Vikings to punt on their next possession, and Talbott scooted 42 yards on the return for a second touchdown. The lead was 14-0 after Detmer's second point-after kick.
"I thought special teams were a big asset for us tonight," White said. "Obviously our kicker, J.D. Detmer, was, and not just for the big kick he made. His punting, kicking off into the end zone so they couldn't get returns, I thought set a tone and allowed us to keep field position."
Northland avoided a shutout with a 27-yard touchdown run by J.J. Saunders in the fourth quarter.
Alex Mickley scored three touchdowns for Davidson.
[email protected]