Newaygo Earns First Win Of Season At Morley

Harkness moves for the first down

Celebrating after an interception, Logan Klomp heads to the sidelines

The Lions readying themselves for the next play after stopping the Mohawks near the goal line

Newaygo Earns First Win Of Season At Morley
Story and photos by Alexis Mercer

The first possession of the game on Friday, September 9th at Morley Stanwood was by the Lions. They were looking to put a spark back in their season after having lost in the first two weeks. The first drive was not that spark. Luckily for them, there was a full 4 quarters to be played.

Morley Stanwood didn’t make any sparks themselves on their first drive. In fact, the only thing flying through the air were flags after penalties. Both teams needed some luck to make the sparks start flying.

It was Remington Wells in the Lions’ second try at possession that not only found the spark but lit the field on fire. A quick screen pass to Wells from quarterback Grant Harkness resulted in a 75 yard touchdown and a visiting crowd that was overjoyed to be celebrating the first touchdown of the season.

Morley didn’t fare as well on their second possession, and turned the ball over on downs at their own 30 yard line. Newaygo capitalized on that and ran another screen pass from Harkness to Wells with. 4:15 left in  the half.

It wasn’t all good for the visitors from there on out, though, as the Lions last drive of the half was intercepted in the end zone. The score was 14-0 at half.

A pick 6 for Dyllan Bazzett in the 2nd half sealed the deal for the Lions

Lions leading receiver Remington Wells charges down the field

The second half, the Mohawks came out not having lost any fire in their bellies. They drove down the field and found themselves on the 1 yard line, but the Lions defense put up a huge stop and held them out of the end zone.

Jaxon duChemin came up big for Newaygo with an  interception right around midfield later on in the half. This drained the Mohawks excitement in a big way. The icing on the cake for the Lions defense was when Dyllan Bazzett intercepted near the end of the third quarter and ran it back for 6.

The Lions finished with 20 to Morley’s 0.

A toss up ball: Josiah Long reaches up to attempt the catch

Nicholas Ruehmeier turns to the outside of the line for rushing yards

From Coach Force: 
Grant Harkness led the Lions with 36 yards rushing and 200 yards passing with 2 passing touchdowns. 
Remy Wells led receivers with 114 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Grant Harkness led the Lions with13 tackles with 1 tackle for loss.
Gavin Culver had 9 tackles.
Miguel Alvarez had 8 tackles.
Dyllan Bazzett had an interception for a touchdown with 3 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.

Early on in the game Blake Kerr turns to the Lions' sideline