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Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 in Sports

Vikings try to steer ship through Sandy Creek

By Chris Goltermann

The Times-Herald

Regardless what's happened on the football field this season, be it through stormy weather or clear skies, Northgate has been handed its share of challenges.

This week's been no exception.

When heavy rain came on Tuesday, the Vikings took two footballs across Fischer Road to its junior-varsity practice field and took on the mud.

Under clear skies Wednesday, Northgate's coaching staff continued to throw everything it could at its players --potential new kinks to the offense and a mountain of material at the defense.

They know it'll take every ounce of effort to get past No. 4 state-ranked Sandy Creek at Henry Seldon Field.

"They try to big play you to death," said Vikings head coach Bill Luckie of the 7-1 Patriots, who at 4-0 in Region 5A-AAAA have already wrapped up the subregion title. "They're quick, they pass the ball consistently and they know how to run it well too."

Leading the way for Sandy Creek been senior tailback Raijon Neal, who has lived up to his Division I-type skills while running through most of this year's competition. It began with three touchdowns and 119 yards rushing against East Coweta in a season-opening overtime loss.

Since then, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Neal has run through subregion competition at an overwhelming pace, putting together 312 total yards and five touchdowns against Whitewater. He followed that up with 190 yards on nine carries in a 48-9 win over McIntosh, then two more scores in a 31-7 win over Fayette County.

Rivals.com lists Neal as having a maximum bench-press of 350-pound bench, with a 4.44 second time in the 40-yard dash.

All the news isn't necessarily bad for Vikings fans. The last time anybody found a way to keep Neal out of the end zone for a touchdown or less, it was Northgate in last year's 7-0 loss in Tyrone, where the Vikings made a stand defensively.

"Our defense played great against them," said Luckie of last year's game. "We just had a couple of opportunities on offense where we got down inside their 30 yard-line and couldn't capitalize."

Here's the scarier notion, however, about Neal, who has verbally committed to Mississippi State, but is starting to get interest from top-tier Southeastern Conference schools as he has continued his success..

"He's a totally different player than last year," said Northgate defensive coordinator Casey Smith. "He's just super advanced from where he was last year. He'll wait on his blockers and he'll run about 75-percent speed at first and then shoot through the hole. I've seen him go from one side of the field to the other in an instant."

Last week against second-place Starr's Mill, Neal kept pace with a mere 242 yards on 29 carries. No doubt Neal's 1,300-plus total yards has been a catalyst in improving the Patriots offensive production from 21.1 points a game last year to a whopping 37.9 through eight games in 2009.

To compare, Northgate's team rushing total is 1,554 yards heading into Friday, led by quarterback Toby Slagle's 490 yards.

"He's gone from a Mississippi State-type back to a Georgia or a Florida State," said Luckie of Neal. "Both of those schools from what I've heard are now after him."

Stopping Neal is no doubt Northgate's top challenge, considering McIntosh's Darius Miliam ran for 189 yards in last week's 25-13 win by the Chiefs. The Viking defense gave up 142 yards rushing in the final quarter, compared to 128 through the first three, while struggling to pick up both Miliam and quarterback Cam Porter running off tackle despite blitzing into the 'C' gap. Defensive end Alex Fitchett had two sacks to lead the way, but even he was having a tough time consistently getting to both players.

"It was strange," said Smith. "I had Alex Fitchett come up to me and say, 'Coach, no matter what I do, I just can't get there. I feel like I'm missing him by one step.'"

Compounding the loss this week, Northgate may be without safety and tailback Payton Usher, who's been out most of the week with the flu.

Northgate has tried to stay a step ahead in preparation this week, even when Mother Nature hasn't cooperated. On Tuesday, the Vikings got in about 90 minutes of practice in rain that was heavy at times, gutting it out through the mud on the JV practice field.

"My rule when we go across the street is we have two footballs and no towels," said Luckie. "We had a little bit of trouble throwing the ball, cause it probably was twice as heavy. But we didn't fumble the ball one time. We've had so much of it lately that when you practice in it, you get used to it."

Turnovers, as well as time of possession, expect to be keys if Northgate is to pull an upset, especially to keep Sandy Creek's offense on the sidelines. Quarterback Ronnie Bell, in his first season after taking over for former standout and East Carolina freshman Rio Johnson, has improved equally every week.

"They're not afraid to throw it," said Luckie. "We sat through the Fayette County game in a rainstorm and on a fourth-and-two they still threw the ball at them on a stop route."

The Vikings spent a good deal of time getting accustomed to Bell's three-step drops and quick release in Sandy Creek's multiple-I set.

Sandy Creek's defense has been no slouch. The Patriots went six-straight games following the overtime loss to East Coweta without giving up more than 10 points, finally yielding two scores last week to Starr's Mill. Safety Isaiah Johnson leads the unit and had 11 tackles last week with teammate Mike Spaulding.

Last week, Northgate was able to put together a 17-play drive to open the third quarter that exhausted the first 7:30 of the second half.

"Those are the types of possessions we'll need (Friday)," said Luckie.

A victory would clinch the third place in the subregion and return the Vikings to last year's state playoff play-in game. The most likely opponent would be a rematch with Banneker for the second-straight year.

"We'd like to have that chance," said Luckie.

Should Northgate lose on Friday, it would also need Whitewater to beat McIntosh on if it wants to have a shot at the state playoffs.

"We knew we were holding everything in our hands until the McIntosh game, and that's not the case this week," said Luckie. "We haven't given up all season. I think that's as much a tribute to our assistant coaches. I think they've kept our kids focused on that next game and not looking back."

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