Cougars nipped by Cadets in barnburner

BAINBRIDGE – North Putnam rallied back from a two-score deficit to take the lead, only to have Cascade circle the wagons and pull out a 49-39 non-conference victory Friday night.

Things looked promising for the Cougars early on but two first quarter fumbles on promising drives cut short North Putnam’s momentum, turnovers that would prove to be costly later in the game.

The Cadets were first to punch through. A big run from Caiden Clements set up a five-yard keeper from Brady Trebley for the game's first score.

North answered, marching on a 13-play drive on the legs of Christian Kramer. Just a couple minutes into the second quarter, Kramer finished off the drive on a three-yard run. Cascade was offside on the extra point so the Cougars tried for two, but the run was stopped and they trailed 7-6.

In what would become a pattern, the teams punched and counter punched. Cadet Toby Savini broke loose on a 34-yard romp and extended the lead. It looked as if Cascade would score again, but Brogan Woodall was able to strip the ball free and the game would go to half with the visitors leading 14-6.

Cascade started with the ball in the second half and scored as Trebley broke free on a 21-yard scramble to go up 21-6.

The Cougars would stay within striking distance, this time leaning on Braden Glaze as the ground attack was doing damage. Kramer capped it off on a one-yard plunge to get back within one score.

North Putnam closed to within two as Kramer hit Woodall through the air as the third quarter was winding down, but again the two point attempt failed.

North took the lead early in the fourth. Kramer stepped back and hit Paxton O’Brien in stride who powered 45 yards and in for the score to make 25-21.

The game would get crazy from there. Savini again busted loose and dashed 31 yards for a go-ahead score. The Cougars answered as Kramer hit Wesley Murphy for a score as the game see-sawed.

Savini would again be a culprit as he took the kickoff 90 yards for a score and a three-point Cadet advantage.

The tide turned on the next possession. With under five minutes left the Cougars had the ball stripped by Lucas Farmer who raced 40 yards for six.

North got another score from Kramer with 2:24 left to once again get within three but Cascade put the game away on Trebley four-yard run to get the win 49-39.

“Offensively we were able to execute at a high level. Some mistakes and turnovers cost us a couple drives. We didn’t make plays when we needed to on defense,” North Putnam coach Scott Moore said.

“We know (Cascade) is a solid program. We gotta find that extra gear late in games and learn how to win those,” Moore added.

Next week the Cougars look to get back in the win column as they travel to West Vigo in WIC action.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

C — 2:26 Trebley 5-yard run (Schnarr kick)

2nd Quarter

NP — 10:28 Kramer 3-yard run (run failed)

C — 8:04 Savini 34-yard run (Schnarr kick)

3rd Quarter

C — 8:42 Trebley 21-yard run (Schnarr kick)

NP — 3:35 Kramer 1-yard run (Polley kick)

NP — 1:29 Woodall 29-yard pass from Kramer (pass failed)

4th Quarter

NP —10:21 O’Brien 45-yard pass from Kramer (kick failed)

C — 8:36 Savini 31-yard run (Schnarr kick)

NP — 5:17 Murphy 5-yard pass from Kramer (Polley kick)

C — 5:03 Savini 90-yard KO return (Schnarr kick)

NP — 2:24 Kramer 13-yard run (Polley kick)

C — 2:07 Trebley 4-yard run (Schnarr kick)

Team Stats

Individual Stats

Rushing - (N) Kramer 26-141, Glaze 15-101, Hankins 5-16; (Ca) Savini 10-198, Mink 11-47, Clements 2-55, Trebley 5-37, Appleby 8-16

Passing - (N) Kramer 22-26-271-3-0; (Ca) Trebley 4-7-92-0-0

Receiving - (N) Woodall 10-105, Murphy 8-78, O’Brien 2-57, Bryan 2-31; (Ca) Savini 3-74, Mason 2-18