As the season is wrapping up soon, on Monday evening the North Cougars hosted their final regular season games against the Heritage Middle School Hawks in a preview of next week's playoff game. With both teams already locked in to the ensuring rematch, these games were ready to see what the other team had to offer.

For the North A team, they came out wanting to defend their home team turf. And the Cougars were able to immediately hold the Hawks and gain possession. But Heritage was also able to flip those tables and then find the end zone first after getting the ball back to take an early 8-0 lead. North moved the ball down the field on a long pass completion between QB Nolan Wright and wide receiver Max Myers to knock on the door. However, the Hawks stood firm and didn't allow North the score to tie it up. As the Hawks started the second quarter, it was Myers making another big catch; this time for an interception while playing deep safety. But despite being able to move the ball down the field some, Heritage continued to pitch the shutout on the scoreboard; eventually adding to their lead on a long TD pass to go up 16-0. Not to be outdone though, on the resulting kick off, it was North's Kotaro Matsumoto who fielded the ball and didn't slow up until he scored for a kick return TD. Place kicker Lucas Cuberos added the 2 point kick and the Cougars were amped up once again. With a little momentum, North headed into the halftime break down 16-8 and ready for more! In the third quarter, Wright once again hit Myers to quickly move the ball down the field; but it was a beautiful touchdown completion from Wright to his tight end Caleb Camacho (and added 2 point kick from Cuberos) that tied up the game and set the stage for an exciting finish. Feeling a little pressure didn't seem to slow down the Hawks though as they took their next play around the end for a long TD run to once again be on top 24-16. But true to the nature of this game, North wasn't going to fold either. Another long completion from Wright to Camacho once again placed the Cougars near the end zone, and this time Wright took off around the left side to punch in the score; all tied again at 24 after the Cuberos kick. In the end though, it was Heritage who stuck to the script and once again was able to find a way to work around the North defense for another score to take the lead once again. Despite some valiant efforts late, North's offense couldn't find the answer and ended up on the wrong end of the 32-24 scoreboard to finish the regular season at 3-3... setting up the rematch with Heritage next week in the 3rd place tournament game.

And then for the finale with the B squads jumping into action. But compared to the back and forth nature of the first game, this one got off to a little more measured start as both teams held each other throughout the first quarter. In the second, the Cougars' defense stood tall when Tristan Phor forced a fumble from the Hawks which was recovered for North by Jackson Ketcherside. But the Hawks were stingy and didn't give in. Finding some momentum, Heritage was able to throw for 2 TDs before halftime; gaining a 14-0 advantage at the break. In the 3rd quarter, the Hawks kept at it and added another score to go up 20-0. And even though the Cougars kept trying to find a way, the late part of the game flew by quickly without any additional scores by either team. The loss finished off the North's B team season with a 2-3 record; but some exciting plays and stories to share from the season as they look ahead to next year!

UP NEXT:
A TEAM- Away vs. Heritage Middle School on Monday, 10/26/26.

#GoCougars!