East Noble wins classic over Homestead

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - EXTENDED highlights of the classic between East Noble and Homestead available by clicking "Play."  Also available, post-game interviews with East Noble head coach Chris DePew, senior quarterback A.J. Dove, senior wide receiver Nathan Mueller and Homestead head coach Chad Zolman.

If there was one way to open NHC play, East Noble and Homestead did it right.

It's always a rivallry game between the Knights and Spartans, but Homestead entered Friday's game having won five straight over East Noble. 

The game was a track meet from the start.  After Michael Spears ran back a kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown, East Noble led 14-7 with 10:26 left in the first quarter.

Homestead would answer three straight scores.  One big play was a 68-yard touchdown pass from Zach Terrell to Isaac Griffin.  The Spartans would lead 26-14.

Not to be outdone, East Noble answered with two scores.  Knights senior quarterback A.J. Dove scrambled 11 yards for a touchdown to give East Noble a 28-26 advantage.  Homestead would take the lead before halftime when Sean Duval scored on the sweep.  Spartans led 32-28 at the half.

After both teams took a breather, it didn't take long for the track meet to continue in the second half.

The second play after the break, Terrell found Cody Appenzeller on a 70-yard touchdown to give Homestead a 39-28 lead.  The Knights would cut into the lead in the third quarter when Dove connected with Nathan Mueller on an 81-yard score to make it 46-42 heading into the final eight minutes.

With 38 seconds left in the game, Dove did his best Brett Favre impression scrambling and flicking the ball underhand to Jordan Gater to take the Knights down to the five yard line.  A few plays later, Dove found a wide-open Mueller in the end zone as East Noble led 49-46 with just seconds remaining.

After a long kickoff, Homestead had one final chance.  With four seconds left on the clock, Terrell found Jake Weber who tried his best to reach the end zone, but the Knights defense formed a brick wall at the three yard line to seal the win as time expired earning East Noble an amazing win over the Spartans.

Homestead failed to score in the fourth quarter.

East Noble has now won two straight while Homestead drops to 2-1.  The Knights host DeKalb next week while the Spartans travel to Columbia City.