JUST Give the ball to #12

Kenton Dickison carries M-U 34-12

By Brett Barnes

Milton-Union entered Friday evening’s contest with seemingly very little to play for, but don’t tell that to seniors.  Although the season didn’t go as planned, this was the last regular season game they would ever play.  That makes it the most important game, and they went out in style… particularly #12.

Kenton Dickison ran for a school record 344 yards, and the vastly improved defense played its best game of the year holding Northridge to just one offensive touchdown as the Bulldogs ended  the season with momentum and a  34-12 victory on Senior Night.

For Bulldog fans, it looked like more of the same early on, when a fumbled snap ended up rolling directly to Northridge’s William McConeghey, who scooped and ran 49 yards for a Polar Bear touchdown and a 6-0 lead.

 How would the Bulldogs respond after so much adversity this season?  Just give the ball to #12.  On the first series after the fumble, Dickison began his barrage carrying the ball every play of the drive.  On his final run, he scampered 37 yards out to knot the score at 6.  After Alec Newman nailed the extra point,   M-U had a lead it would not give up at 7-6.

The Northridge offense stayed in low gear all night punting three straight possessions in the second quarter.  #12 would take advantage.  Dickison carried the football six plays in a row on one drive, and when he took a play off, Brad Stine took advantage and powered 16 yards for the Bulldog touchdown.  Newman again was true, and the Bulldogs led 14-6.

On the next offensive possession, Dickison would finish what he started this time scoring from 28 yards away, and at the half it was all Bulldogs 20-6.

Dickison finished the half with 232 yards himself while Northridge’s entire team was held to 75 yards.

The third quarter was much ado about nothing until Zach Greenwald stripped the Northridge quarterback with the Bulldogs recovering at the Polar Bear 14 yard line.  Just give the ball to #12.  Dickison scored again on one play, and the Bulldogs were pouring it on 27-6.

Early in the fourth quarter, The Polar Bears fumbled one more time and senior Matt Bracci recovered.  Just give the ball to #12.  This time Dickison scored from 34 yards away capping the greatest rushing performance in M-U history:  344 yards, four touchdowns, and a 34-6 lead.

Northridge did connect on a long bomb against the second team defense late in the fourth quarter making the final count 34-12.

M-U ended the season at 2-8 while Northridge finishes 3-7.

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