Published: October 31, 2009 03:25 pm      

'Dog day in Edmond

Memorial tops North 10-0 in defensive battle for city title

The Edmond Memorial defense set up road blocks for North all night, but with just two minutes left they were in need of one more. Nelson Medeiros gave them that and much more. The senior nailed the door shut with a 49-yard interception return helping the Bulldogs grab the city championship with a 10-0 win Friday night at Wantland Stadium.

“The ball was in the air, I thought Jordan (Marczewski) was going to pick it off, but it landed in my lap,” Medeiros said. “Then I was looking it’s 3-0 what do I do, I guess just take it to the crib and that’s what happened. I had great blocks up front and that was the key.”

The ‘Dogs (6-3, 5-1) look to be in prime position to secure a home playoff game in the first round. Memorial will hit the road for their final contest of the season next Friday against Putnam City.

With the loss No. 9-ranked North (7-2, 4-2) slips to third in District 6A-2 and will likely be headed on the road for the first round of the playoffs. The Huskies will be at home for their season finale against Westmoore.

“I do think our kids played hard, they gave a great effort, but Edmond Memorial was a better football team,” North coach Jeremy Dombek said.

Memorial’s defense never let up on Friday night, limiting the Huskies to just 67 yards of total offense. The ‘Dogs also came up with the big plays, forcing three turnovers.

“It wasn’t pretty, we didn’t play great all the time, but we got the W and that’s what mattered,” Memorial coach Justin Merideth said. “I’ve said all year long we’re going to lean on our defense. And every now and then your defense is going to have to win games for you and I’m happy about that.”

The ‘Dogs defense made up for some offensive deficiencies of their own. The Huskies held Memorial to just 100 yards of total offense and one turnover. Cale Olbert was Memorial’s most effective weapon on offense. The junior carried the ball 19 times for 52 yards.

“We played well enough to win on defense, but golly their defense was ready for everything we had,” Dombek said. “We came up with a couple of new formations and thought we could get them outnumbered, but they just fly around so well. It seemed like everything that we were doing they were right on top of it.”

Memorial’s only other points came late in the first quarter when Will Conant drilled a 44-yard field goal through the upright, putting the ‘Dogs in front 3-0.

The Huskies looked to pull even late in the second quarter when they drove deep inside Memorial territory. But on a third-down play Travis Townsend was dropped for a 16-yard loss, which put the Huskies back at the Memorial 28. North then sent in Austin Brasher for a 45-yard field goal, but the senior’s kick came up short.

The ‘Dogs got another good look at the end zone in the third quarter thanks to a pair of costly penalties. Kameron Doolittle’s attempt on 3rd-and-11 fell incomplete, but the Huskies were flagged for a roughing the passer penalty. North then picked up another quick penalty, which gave the ‘Dogs a first down at the nine-yard line.

But the y could not capitalize on the opportunity. Penalties and negative plays pushed Memorial back to near midfield.

The Huskies took over the Memorial 34-yard line, after a botched punt. But the ‘Dogs defense prevailed, as they forced North to punt on the fourth play of the fourth quarter.

Joe Aska led the way for the Huskies, rushing for 57 yards on 17 carries.