PLATEVILLE - Pecatonica-Argyle senior Chase Norton was like a magnet when it came to making big plays on the football in the season opener against Belmont Saturday, Aug. 24.
Norton had two interceptions returned for touchdowns, and he caught a 6-yard TD pass to propel the Vikings to a 21-0 win over the Braves in the Six Rivers Jamboree at Pioneer Stadium.
The Vikings' defense forced five turnovers including two interceptions and three fumbles. The Braves racked up 276 total rushing yards, but were shut down from scoring. Belmont's Mitch Ray had 158 rushing yards on 16 carries and Kyle Van Bogaert had 124 rushing yards on 24 carries.
"Our defense played well enough to bend, but not break," Pecatonica-Argyle coach Larry Green said. "We knew Belmont had good size up front. It showed up most of the game. Any time they run up the middle with a trap for 100 plus yards, it's something we will have to look at with our defensive linemen, linebackers and front seven. It's something we will address in practice so it doesn't happen again. We were just fortunate to get the turnovers. We have some growing up to do and a learning curve."
Pecatonica-Argyle sophomore Riley Ostby had two fumble recoveries and one sack. Ostby's first fumble recovery in the second quarter set up the Vikings' first scoring drive. Pecatonica-Argyle junior Drew Schliem took a big hit and connected on a 6-yard TD pass to Norton to give the Vikings a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter. Norton rushed for 32 yards on nine carries and scored one touchdown. Schliem completed 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards and one touchdown.
After a botched snap, the Vikings recovered a fumble at the Braves' 4-yard line late in the second quarter. However, the Vikings couldn't punch in a touchdown and missed a field goal. Two plays later, Norton made a game-changing play, batting a pass into the air before intercepting it and racing for a 39-yard touchdown. Schliem then threw a pinpoint pass to Alec Treuthardt for a two-point conversion to give the Vikings a 14-0 lead.
"Chase read his key," Green said of the interception. "He made a heck of a catch and (Brooks) Chandler got a good block to help him get a touchdown. That was definitely a turning point."
Before Norton's interception, Green didn't have any reservations about attempting a field goal instead of going for it on fourth-and goal from the Braves' 5-yard line.
"With the way Belmont was playing, I didn't think it was an option to go for it," Green said. "We thought with the freshmen and sophomore kickers we have we could count on the points. They have made 30- and 40-yard field goals in practice. If I had it to do over again, I would have kicked the field goal again."
Norton sealed the win with an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Pecatonica-Argyle's Brodie Gross added a sack for the Vikings. Treuthardt was bottled up most of the game and was limited to just 12 rushing yards.
"We know Alec is our playmaker," Green said. "We hope we can get him the ball, get him more touches and he can make plays. Our linemen have to block better. Other teams will key on (Treuthardt) and that is when we can get the ball to others to make plays."
Norton had two interceptions returned for touchdowns, and he caught a 6-yard TD pass to propel the Vikings to a 21-0 win over the Braves in the Six Rivers Jamboree at Pioneer Stadium.
The Vikings' defense forced five turnovers including two interceptions and three fumbles. The Braves racked up 276 total rushing yards, but were shut down from scoring. Belmont's Mitch Ray had 158 rushing yards on 16 carries and Kyle Van Bogaert had 124 rushing yards on 24 carries.
"Our defense played well enough to bend, but not break," Pecatonica-Argyle coach Larry Green said. "We knew Belmont had good size up front. It showed up most of the game. Any time they run up the middle with a trap for 100 plus yards, it's something we will have to look at with our defensive linemen, linebackers and front seven. It's something we will address in practice so it doesn't happen again. We were just fortunate to get the turnovers. We have some growing up to do and a learning curve."
Pecatonica-Argyle sophomore Riley Ostby had two fumble recoveries and one sack. Ostby's first fumble recovery in the second quarter set up the Vikings' first scoring drive. Pecatonica-Argyle junior Drew Schliem took a big hit and connected on a 6-yard TD pass to Norton to give the Vikings a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter. Norton rushed for 32 yards on nine carries and scored one touchdown. Schliem completed 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards and one touchdown.
After a botched snap, the Vikings recovered a fumble at the Braves' 4-yard line late in the second quarter. However, the Vikings couldn't punch in a touchdown and missed a field goal. Two plays later, Norton made a game-changing play, batting a pass into the air before intercepting it and racing for a 39-yard touchdown. Schliem then threw a pinpoint pass to Alec Treuthardt for a two-point conversion to give the Vikings a 14-0 lead.
"Chase read his key," Green said of the interception. "He made a heck of a catch and (Brooks) Chandler got a good block to help him get a touchdown. That was definitely a turning point."
Before Norton's interception, Green didn't have any reservations about attempting a field goal instead of going for it on fourth-and goal from the Braves' 5-yard line.
"With the way Belmont was playing, I didn't think it was an option to go for it," Green said. "We thought with the freshmen and sophomore kickers we have we could count on the points. They have made 30- and 40-yard field goals in practice. If I had it to do over again, I would have kicked the field goal again."
Norton sealed the win with an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Pecatonica-Argyle's Brodie Gross added a sack for the Vikings. Treuthardt was bottled up most of the game and was limited to just 12 rushing yards.
"We know Alec is our playmaker," Green said. "We hope we can get him the ball, get him more touches and he can make plays. Our linemen have to block better. Other teams will key on (Treuthardt) and that is when we can get the ball to others to make plays."
