Post Messenger Recorder -

The 2022 season has been a challenge, to say the least. How nice that the seniors could end on a high note. It took another long road trip to do it, but hey, they did it in style with a 33-14 victory over the Warcats of Southwestern/East Dubuque (SWED)...a first-year co-op with a first-year coach playing out of the Six Rivers Conference. The game was played in Hazel Green on an evening made perfect for football.

This being the tenth and final game of the year, NGM showed no fatigue whatsoever. Ethan Friedrich took the opening kickoff with spirited running up to the 37-yard line. After a quick drive with a nice mix of the pass and run, QB Max Marty hit senior wide receiver A.C. Strok for a 27-yard score and at 10:09 it was NGM up 6-0. (The try for two came up short). The Warcats came right back and riding their workhorse, Brody Culbertson, scored at the 4:13 mark. With a successful 2-point conversion, the home team was up 8-6. NGM answered with a beautifully orchestrated 64-yard drive, capped off by another Marty-to-Strok passing touchdown and at 1:40 still in the first it was NGM back on top 12-8. They would not relinquish the lead the rest of the ballgame.

The second quarter was historic when QB Max Marty completed a 10-yard pass to running back Lawrence Vasquez, enough for a first down, but also setting a new all-time NG-NGM passing yards record! NGM called time out to recognize Marty's accomplishment, with even the opposing fan base giving applause. Moments later Marty would hook up with junior wide receiver Cade Thayer on a 14-yard touchdown pass. Vasquez would boom home the PAT and it was 19-8 NGM, at 6:16 to play in the half. (Young Max Marty had quite the evening, going 16 of 25 passing for 206 aerial yards, passing for four touchdowns, rushing for a fifth, and even adding an interception on defense! Note: Max Marty is only a junior!)

Vasquez followed up with the strongest kickoff of the year, blasting it to the end zone. Notice was served as SWED could not generate any offense - NGM recording three interceptions from here until the break (Max Marty had one and Justin Engen had two). Engen's second interception took the ball to the Warcat twelve, where Marty promptly found A.C. Strok for another passing touchdown (Strok's third of the evening). Now it was freshman Ethan Seffrood's turn for a PAT and he was money as NGM went up 26-8 with 0:28 to play before the break.

Sue Moen file photo

In Friday night's win over Southwestern/East Dubuque (SWED), NGM Quarterback Max Marty set a new all-time NG-NGM passing yards record!

That score would hold until the fourth when the Warcat's Culbertson scored on a 5-yard run at 11:28, score 26-14. After some back-and-forth the NGM defense stiffened, led by senior Jackson Eyler shooting the gap and putting SWED in a 4th and 15 deep in their own territory. This would prove to be the last gasp for the Warcats, and NGM prevailed. Now with a short field, the NGM offense went to work. Vasquez powered his way to the 4-yard line. Multiple attempts to get senior running back Emery Johnson a touchdown came up short. Finally, on fourth down, Marty kept and scored. Seffrood again nailed his PAT and at 2:34 left in the season it was NGM 33-14 over the host team...and the fat lady was heard warming up.

Vasquez boomed yet another kickoff, this one with enormous height and taken by Culbertson on the 6-yard line. As he advanced up the left sideline he was suddenly and violently de-cleated by NGM's senior Dayne Righter in what had to be THE highlight tackle of the year. It also served as a final exclamation point on the game, the season, and the careers of all the NGM seniors. BANG!

At 1:39 all the NGM seniors left the game, taking their final bow. At 1:06 there was another wholesale change as freshmen and reserves came in to finish the game. And isn't it amazing how quickly the ride home goes with a victory in your pocket!

Final score: NGM 33-SWED 14.

See you next year!