(New Carlisle, IN) - New Prairie avenged last year’s season-ending loss to Northridge by destroying the Raiders Friday night. New Prairie won the Regional Championship 55-7.

 

In the words of anchorman Ron Burgundy, “Boy, that escalated quickly.”

 

Northridge came into Amzie Miller Field hoping to end New Prairie’s season for the second year in a row. Instead, they found themselves down 28-0 after barely five minutes of play.

 

On the first play of the game, junior quarterback Marshall Kmiecik scored on a 60-yard option run. On the Cougars’ next possession, Kmiecik showed his growth as a passer by tossing a perfect 41-yard touchdown to junior Reece Lapczynski while under pressure. Moments later, senior Dallas Ryans extended the lead to 21 with a 45-yard interception return. But the Cougars’ early onslaught wasn’t over. Senior lineman and sometimes fullback Jacob Mrozinski rumbled in for a touchdown to make it 28-0 only halfway through the first quarter.

 

An interception by sophomore Hayden Scott thwarted a subsequent Northridge drive. Senior Noah Mungia followed with a 65-yard run, then a four-yard score. In perhaps the defining sequence of the game, the New Prairie defense turned away Northridge on fourth-and-goal in the second quarter. The Cougars then executed a 98-yard drive capped off by a short Mungia touchdown run. Junior two-way player Brock Sinka intercepted a pass, then turned around and scored on an 81-yard catch from Kmiecik. New Prairie took a 48-0 lead into half.

 

In scoring a season-high 55 points, New Prairie needed only 34 plays. Northridge managed seven points in 61 plays. Kmiecik was 4-4 in passing, with 160 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the Cougars in rushing with 154 yards on the ground. Seven New Prairie players combined for 339 yards rushing.

 

Seniors Kole Staley and Tayvion Ortman led the defense with nine tackles apiece. The Cougars also tallied three interceptions and three sacks.

 

New Prairie (12-1) will head to Kokomo (12-1) next Friday for the semistate.