Post Messenger Recorder -

LET THE GAMES BEGIN! Having just walked off this field this past May 7 in the special Spring COVID Season, NGM and hundreds of teams across the state now start traditional fall play as they opened their seasons this past Friday. To some, May 7 seems like yesterday - to others an eternity. Pick your poison, it no longer matters as the Friday Night Lights Show is back in business. And speaking of lights, this was the debut of the brand new $100,000+ LED lighting system at the NGHS field. (Gone, thankfully and forever, are the old cone lights originally installed in 1959).

On an 88 degree night with plenty of humidity, the NGM Knights played host to the Cougars of Clinton in a non-conference game. This evening was also the debut of sophomore quarterback Max Marty wearing #14 (this writer's favorite #). How cool it is that he debuted in front of his grandfather, Dennis Marty, who once quarterbacked the 1966 NGHS championship team on this very same field. The young Marty showed considerable poise for a sophomore in his first varsity start throwing for 287 yards, 3 touchdowns, and running one in himself for a fourth score. Might this be considered a heraldic moment for NGM football and Max Marty? At the end of the day, however, it was Clinton escaping with the narrowest of wins, 27-26.

The game was a show of two offensive contrasts. Clinton loved to run, passing only twice the entire evening and racking up nearly 400 yards of total offense. NGM loved to pass as they racked up 341 yards of total offense. Seniors Jackson Parman and Nate Brandes would collect 127 and 109 of those yards, respectively, in the air. Brandes, the workhorse of the evening, ran for 47 hard-earned yards. Like many 1-point games, this one came down to the wire with NGM coming up ever-so-short with just 0:57 seconds to play as a pass in the end zone was batted away.

NGM's Mason Yaun kicked off the season with the opening kickoff. On the first play from scrimmage, Clinton's junior quarterback Peyton Bingham (#1) called his own number and ran 68 yards to the NGM 2-yard line, only to have the play called back by a holding penalty. Their offense would continue to run the ball and sustain their opening attack, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run by senior running back Abel Espinoza (#2). This one-two punch would become the central theme of the evening for the visitors from the Eastern Suburban Conference, both literally and figuratively. Espinoza's own kick was good and Clinton claimed first blood and a 7-0 lead at the 3:41 mark. NGM came out strong in their first series of the season with a mix of runs and passes. Max Marty completed his first varsity pass to senior Jackson Parman with a perfect spiral in the left flat...a throw he will probably remember for a lifetime.

The NGM defense was very strong in the second quarter until the diminutive Espinoza found a seam and dashed for an 87-yard touchdown run at the 1:37 mark. (When you run behind your 6'6", 365-pound left tackle, you do tend to appear small). He would have a banner night rushing. But NGM came right back with some deft passing by the young Marty, scoring on a beautiful strike to running back Nate Brandes...a series that took only 41 seconds! Both teams missed their extra point attempts. NGM kicker, sophomore Mason Yaun, was injured on his PAT and did not return to the game. This injury would have consequences as the game progressed. Score at the half: Clinton 13-NGM 6.

NGM opened the second half with a BANG! when Marty found Jackson Parman for a 50-yard score. Sophomore Leyton Mihlbauer's jet sweep was good for a 2-point conversion and it was NGM up 14-13 at the 9:52 mark. The Cougar's ground game came back with a score as Espinoza took it in from the 5-yard line, giving the lead back to his team. His kick, however, clanked off the right upright leaving the score at 19-14.

If you like offense, you really liked the 4th quarter. Marty's deft passing and some solid running by Nate Brandes put NGM on the 5-yard line. It was here that Marty showed great resolve and discipline as an intended pass play did not materialize. Without even the slightest show of panic, he tucked and ran it in for a score. I'm tellin' ya folks, the kid's a natural! A failed 2-point conversion put NGM up 20-19.

An unusually short ensuing kickoff by NGM created some confusion amongst the NGM defenders, to wit Clinton's Dorian Phillips responded and took the ball 60 yards for a kick return touchdown. Espinoza was again good on a 2-point conversion, and, with just 11 seconds off of the clock, the Cougars had regained the lead at 27-20.

NGM got the ball and drove to midfield. On 4th down they ran a fake punt, with Mihlbauer carrying the mail just enough past the first down marker to keep the drive alive. Several plays later Marty found junior wide receiver Ethan Friedrich for a 14-yard score to cut the lead to 27-26. A go-for-it-all try for two was broken up in the end zone at the 5:05 mark. Now the NGM defense rose to the call and shined their brightest of the contest with the brilliant play of juniors Ja'Kodey Strahm and Jackson Eyler forcing a Cougar punt. NGM took possession of the ball at their own 49 with 2:45 to play.

Sue Moen

The NGM Knights lost a close one to the Clinton Cougars on Friday night. The final score was Clinton 27-NGM 26.

A perfectly executed draw pass to Nate Brandes put the ball on the Clinton 3-yard line. (Oh(!), for just three more steps as Brandes was caught from behind in what would amount to be a game-saving tackle by the Clinton defender in pursuit). Two running plays came up short. On third down, Marty suffered a sack all the way back to the 22. With 4th down and the game on the line, Marty's pass was just off the hands of Friedrich in the northwest corner of the end zone. BUT WAIT! A defensive holding call gave NGM one more chance with 0:57 to play. Alas, Marty's final pass of the evening was batted down just inside the goal line, allowing the Clinton Cougars to take a knee in victory formation. Final score: Clinton 27-NGM 26.

Next up is the rivalry game of all rivalry games as NGM travels to Belleville this coming Friday, August 27. NGM would love to avenge their last game of the Spring COVID season, another 1-point loss, and yes, it was to Belleville. Belleville is coming off of their 55-0 shellacking of historically good Cambridge. Of particular interest to all, Belleville is calling Friday's game "Belleville Football Reunion Night" and is encouraging all past players to attend. I am sure it is just a coincidence that this reunion happens to be on the night of the greatest football rivalry in southern Wisconsin. And if you believe that, drop what you are doing and call 1-800-BRIDGE4SALE.

NGM fans, this is your clarion call. See you at the game. Game time is 7:00 p.m.