Lutheran North’s football team has had one thing on its mind for more than a year.
Unfinished business.
“Our motto this year was ‘unfinished business,’” senior linebacker Nate Nazarko said after the Mustangs edged Clarkston Everest Collegiate 17-14 on Will Pruzinsky’s 17-yard field goal in overtime in a Catholic League Prep Bowl game Saturday at Ford Field.
The game was a matchup of the league’s Intersectional 1 and Intersectional 2 champions and a rematch of last year’s game won 35-28 by the Mountaineers.
“We couldn’t quite squeeze it out last year so our goal this year was to come back to Ford Field and win it,” Nazarko said. “We had to tough it out in overtime but we were able to do it. It means everything.”
It wasn’t easy. Everest, which has been in six of the last seven Prep Bowls and had won the last four, came back from a 14-0 halftime deficit to tie the game on a three-yard run by quarterback Oliver Neiman with 2:40 left in regulation.
The key play in the comeback came when North was driving for a touchdown that would have given the Mustangs a three-score lead. Zachary Felix picked off a pass in the end zone and returned it to the 12-yard line.
That started a 15-play, 88-yard drive that was capped by a three-yard run by James Nedwick. James Schmitt added the extra point after both Everest scores.
“That was a big play,” Everest coach Mike Pruchnicki said of Felix’s interception. “It lit a little spark for us because they were driving. It’s a game of momentum.”
“Everest has a tough group of kids and coaches,” said North coach Garrett Wenzelburger. “They’re well-prepared. We were up 14-0 at the half but we had a battle ahead of us in the second half. If we had put that one in it would have made things easier.
“They took advantage but it’s a testament to the hard work our kids have put in that many times this year and last year they’ve found a way to win when we needed it.”
Everest was penalized 15 yards on the last play of regulation, so instead of starting overtime on the 10-yard line, the Mountaineers had to start from the 25. They made a strong bid to grab the lead in overtime but sophomore safety Adam Narr pushed Felix out of bounds inside the one-yard line on fourth down.
Three 3-yard runs by Vincent Campisi got the Mustangs to the one. Instead of trying to punch the ball into the end zone on fourth down, Wenzelburger sent in Pruzinsky for the short field goal.
“At this time in the season, I’m perfectly comfortable kicking,” Wenzelburger said. “(Pruzinsky) is an incredible goalie for our soccer team and we’re fortunate to have him kick for us as well. As the season’s gone on he’s gained more and more confidence. He’s made some big kicks but none bigger than that one.
He didn’t look nervous at all.
He banged it right through — perfect snap by Ian McGrath, perfect hold by Bryce Teodecki, great protection and a great kick by Will.”
Nazarko had no doubts that Pruzinsky would make the kick.
“It was an awesome kick,” he said.
“He can bang it from 40, 45. I’ve seen him do it in practice.”
North opened the scoring early in the second quarter on a 6-yard run by Jack May. It was set up by a 28-yard pass from Cam Kubik to Teodecki.
The Mustangs made it 14-0 with 48 seconds remaining in the first half. The 84-yard drive started with an interception by Teodecki and ended with an eight-yard run by Teodecki, who appeared to carry half the Mountaineers’ defense into the end zone.
Key plays in the drive were Kubik’s passes of 23 yards to Narr and 28 yards to Nazarko.
The win was the eighth in nine games this year for North.
“It’s all the work we’ve done in the offseason,” Wenzelburger said. “We had a great season last year but I think a lot of people wondered if this a one-year thing or are they going to be able to continue this? Our kids made a commitment in the offseason, our coaches made a commitment in the offseason. We’ve had some big wins but we’ve also had some tight games and I’m sure we will in the playoffs as well.
“We’re going to enjoy this and then we’ll look forward to the playoffs starting (Sunday) afternoon.”
The loss was the first of the season for Everest, which handed Michigan Collegiate its only defeat of the year.
“That’s a well-coached team at Lutheran North,” Pruchnicki said.
“It was great high school football and a great experience.
“We’ve been here a few times, but it’s always a great experience. There are always new kids who’ve never experienced this.”