Gazette’s Analysis of Rockville-Northwood game
Photo of Keith Hudson by Susan Shaffer
Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008
Gongbay leads Rockville over Northwood
Sophomore running back stars in 40-18 opening win
by Jennifer Beekman | Staff Writer
In his first varsity football contest, Rockville sophomore running back Crusoe Gongbay rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries in the Rams’ 40-18 home win over Montgomery 2A/1A foe Northwood in Friday’s season opener.
It was just the start to 2008 the Rams were looking for as they seek their second consecutive playoff appearance; last year’s Class 2A West Region semifinal was their first postseason appearance in a decade.
“This was my first big game and I was a little nervous, but once I got in there and the offensive line was blocking well, I just forgot about it,” Gongbay said. “It was really important for us to get off to a good start. The O-line started shutting [Northwood] down. As a sophomore coming in I want to make sure I do a good job and help get the team back to playoffs.”
The Rams overcame a sluggish start Friday. After Gongbay’s 65-yard opening kickoff return set up senior fullback Matthew Yin’s 12-yard touchdown on the first offensive play of the night, Northwood scored twice to take a 12-8 lead.
Gladiator junior left-handed quarterback Jimmy Hessler connected on 28- and 44-yard touchdown passes to Keith Hudson and Timbuk Atakora. Hessler completed 14 of 23 pass attempts for 241 yards and three touchdowns in the game.
“The score really wasn’t indicative of how we played,” Northwood coach Dennis Harris said. “We moved the ball well. We had a couple of bad breaks and we missed too many tackles. But I’m pleased with how the kids did. They’re tough kids and they showed a lot of heart.”
But Rockville’s more balanced attack prevailed. The Rams picked up more than 200 yards on the ground and more than 100 yards in the air; senior quarterback Peter Nalle was 9 for 17 with 108 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Robbie Parker’s 5-yard touchdown run on the Rams’ first possession of the second quarter gave Rockville the lead back, and Gongbay scored with two minutes remaining in the first half to give the Rams a 20-12 lead headed into the locker room. They never trailed again.
Gongbay scored on a 16-yard run on the Rams’ first possession of the second half to increase the team’s lead to 26-12. Northwood answered with Hessler’s 74-yard touchdown pass to Hudson.
But Gongbay’s 65-yard touchdown run late in the third and Nalle’s 19-yard pass to junior Philip McTighe in the end zone sealed Rockville’s first win of 2008.
