It was a difficult night on the field for the Northwestern Warriors football team this past Friday night. Facing off against the visiting Mechanicsburg Indians, the Warriors battled tough until the very end, but were not able to keep up with the play of Mechanicsburg’s highly talented offense and were defeated 40-6.

On the first play from scrimmage Indians quarterback Kaleb Romero kept the ball and rushed around the edge for a 59 yard touchdown to start the scoring for Mechanicsburg. Northwestern was unable to get on track and move the ball consistently, but never stopped competing hard. After holding the Indians offense for a turnover on downs early in the first quarter, Northwestern quarterback Eli Berner rolled out right and his pass attempt was intercepted. The Warriors defense again held strong even after the field position advantage for Mechanicsburg, as the Indians missed a field goal giving the ball back to Northwestern.

Berner and the Northwestern offense stayed in attack mode as the quarterback lofted a deep third down pass to receiver Zack Leist in the second quarter that was met in the air by the Mechanicsburg defender and batted to the ground. The Warriors defense played hard as Adam Riedinger, Seth Foulke, Ryan Breakall, Devin Current, and a host of other defenders swarmed to gang tackle the Indians ball carriers, but it was not enough as the Mechanicsburg offense led by quarterback Kaleb Romero, quickly got into the end zone three more times before the end of the half. Making the score Mechanicsburg 26, Northwestern 0 at half time.

The second half was very much more of the same as the first when it was the Mechanicsburg offense moving the chains and rushing into the end zone to push the lead to 40-0 into the fourth quarter. Though not before it was too late, Seth Foulke and Zack Leist ran the ball well and the Northwestern offense put together an eleven play, 71 yard touchdown drive capped by quarterback Eli Berner scrambling and finding Gage Voorhees in the back of the end zone for the late touchdown completion. A blocked extra point made the final score Mechanicsburg 40, Northwestern 6.

This loss moves the Northwestern Warriors record to 0-3, and the tough fighting football team will look to get their first win this up-coming week as they will travel to face the Tecumseh Arrows. Game time is scheduled for 7:00.