North Scott survives scare from Wildcats

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By Andrew Petersen | Thursday, September 4, 2008 10:53 PM CDT | () comments

John Schultz/QUAD-CITY TIMES North Scott’s Elliott Schlabach penetrates the backfield and upends North running back Airreo Greer during Thursday’s first half at Brady Street Stadium. Buy this Photo

Connar Dahlstrom figured he might have to make a kick Thursday night, but he had no idea it would be for the game.

But his North Scott football team encountered a far more determined Davenport North squad than a year ago, and late-game heroics were indeed required.

Dahlstrom drilled a 25-yard field goal with less than five minutes to play, helping the Lancers squeak past the Wildcats 17-14.

“That was adversity right there,” the senior said. “I had a gut feeling.

“But (North) really hit us in the mouth with this game. It shows how tough a MAC team can be on any given night.”

North Scott (2-0, 2-0 Mississippi Athletic Conference) led 14-0 at halftime despite numerous mistakes in the team’s second game running a spread offense.

The Wildcats (0-2, 0-2) only had three first downs and 33 rushing yards before halftime, but they quickly made amends in the third quarter.

United Township transfer Airreo Greer ran in touchdowns from 34 and 72 yards in the third to tie the game and give his new team fresh hope.

After the North defense dug in throughout the second half, Wildcats kicker Jordan Setser had a 34-yard look at a field goal to send the game to overtime. He had plenty of distance, but the kick sailed wide left with 42.8 seconds left.

After a couple of knees taken by Lancers quarterback Jimmy DeFrieze, the suspense was over.

North coach Jon Flynn praised his team for a fine second half but stressed the need for more.

“It’s still selling the mindset that it takes 48 full minutes,” he said. “We kind of got away from our game plan in the first half, but the second half will be a great teaching tool for us.”

Greer, who had just 49 yards in a Week 1 loss to Clinton, totaled 172 yards on 17 carries. He recorded 153 yards after halftime.

“We knew he was very fast,” DeFrieze said of Greer. “We believed this was going to be an easy win. They stuck with it.”

DeFrieze accounted for both North Scott scores, running in one and passing to Elliot Schlabach from 12 yards out. DeFrieze was 17-of-24 for 227 yards and one interception.

He had several of the Lancers’ six fumbles, frequently leaping to haul in high snaps. But given time, the junior connected with Blake Anderson for 133 yards.

In addition to his big boot, Dahlstrom rushed for 140 yards on 24 carries.

But the second half was as cruel to the Lancers as it was kind to the Wildcats, leaving DeFrieze feeling responsible, despite the win.

“It’s a wakeup call,” he said. “My heart doesn’t feel very good right now.”

North Scott hosts Davenport Central next week, and North will play at Bettendorf.

Andrew Petersen can be contacted at (563) 383-2288 or apetersen@qctimes.com.