Wildcats dominate Wolf Point in 34-21 win to improve to 2-0 on the season

 

September 16, 2020

arlem junior quarterback Mikkel Rider connects on a long pass play to junior wide receiver Amari Stanley during the Wildcats 34-21 win over the visiting Wolf Point Wolves.

The Harlem Wildcats are on a winning streak. The boys hosted the Wolf Point Wolves this past Friday in a Northern B contest.

Harlem started fast, scoring on their first possession and then finished strong in a dominating 34-21 win to improve to 2-0 on the young season.

Harlem began the contest with a meticulous 83 yard drive that featured the running game as expected, but added a nice mix of passing plays. Senior running back Andrew Rasmussen scored from 5 yards out and junior quarterback Mikkel Rider added the conversion for a quick 8-0 lead.

Harlem was back in business late in the first quarter. The Wildcats took over at their own 35, found junior Amari Stanley on a slant for good yards and then Rider hit Rasmussen on a swing pass for a big gain. Rider would punch it in on the first play of the second quarter for a 14-0 lead.

The Wolves would get on the board late in the half with a pick six to make the score 14-7 at the break.

Harlem's defense kept the Wolves in check giving the ball back to the offense at their own 40. Junior John Hughes Jr. turned in a nice punt return to give them good field position.

The Wildcats utilized their power rushing attack to move the ball down the field. "We knew our center and guards were better on the line and we decided to challenge them right up the middle and see if they could stop us," stated Head Coach Derek Azure. The Wildcats mixed in a couple of pass plays to keep the defense honest leading to Rider finding the end zone again. Rider added the conversion to push the lead to 22-7.

The Wildcats added another score to start the fourth quarter on another quarterback keeper from Rider. The touchdown was set up by a 50 bomb from Rider to Stanley and a big run from Rasmussen to make the score 28-7.

Rider added a scoring pass to junior Darius Long Knife to put the finishing touches on a 34-21 win. Rasmussen finished 226 yards and a score while Rider added 87 on the ground and three touchdowns and 150 yards and a score through the air. Stanley had 101 yards receiving on four catches.

The Wildcats have performed exceptionally well under the direction of Head Coach Derek Azure and Assistant Coach Kent Mount.

Head coach Derek Azure and his Assistant Kent Mount greet their players during introductions prior to the start of their game with Wolf Point. The Wildcats have faced an uphill battle all season long with just eleven players available for a game that requires eleven players. Azure has conditioned his team superbly and has his kids totally bought into the system this fall.

From the beginning of fall practice Azure has instilled preparation as a base for the upstart program. "I pride myself on conditioning, the one thing you can control in any game is how well conditioned you are and our boys are conditioned. From start to finish any gap in the amount of players available was diminished with our ability to wear the other team out and we take pride in that."

"I knew the kids would do good with my style of coaching and my approach to positive reinforcement but I never imagined we would start 2-0," said Head Coach Derek Azure following the game.

I haven't heard one complaint from the things we have done from the parent meeting on. I let them (Parents and kids) know what I expected and how things were going to be done. Football is a choice and if they didn't want to be a part of our program they didn't have to, but all the kids we have out are committed to each other, the coaching staff and the program," concluded Azure.

To that point, when the Wildcats number one receiver, John Hughes Jr. was asked by Azure before the game to move to the line, his response said it all, "Yep, I'll do it. Whatever the team needs me to do coach."

The Wildcats will look to run their record to 3-0 this Friday when they head south to take on the Roundup Panthers in a non-conference clash.

 
 

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