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HANOVER TWP. — For the fifth time on the night, a Hanover Area snap went sailing wide of the mark.

The first four times, the Hawkeyes could only run back and fall on the loose ball for a big loss. The fifth one was low enough that the Hawks were able to pick it up and throw it.

Right to Northwest defensive lineman Brendan Riley.

The former running back quickly secured the interception and was on his way for a 28-yard touchdown, the cherry on top of a memorable Rangers defensive performance in a 36-7 victory at Hanover Area.

“We had great pressure on the quarterback,” Riley said of his touchdown. “(Hawkeyes running back Tyheim Taylor) was behind me screaming, ‘Yo, I’m here, I’m here.’ Probably could have lobbed it up, but he threw it right into my gut.

“Just an early Christmas present, I guess.”

One that was well-earned by the Rangers. What was only a 15-7 Northwest lead at the half quickly ballooned as the defense dominated Hanover Area after coming back from the locker room.

The Hawkeyes offense had zero points, zero first downs and minus-17 total yards in the second half, highlighted by Riley’s touchdown.

“That’s his second interception of the year,” Rangers coach Lon Hazlet said with a smile. “And he wanted everybody to know that he’s got more than the secondary.

“He’s a tremendous athlete. He’s a 285-pound kid, and he can run. He’s physical and it was a lot of fun to see him do that. He’s a real emotional leader of our team.”

Riding the momentum of last week’s stunning double-overtime win over GAR, Northwest (3-2) also got it done with the running game this week. Quarterback Jeremy Walsh (133 yards, TD) and tailback Garrett Reese (132 yards, two TDs) consistently grinded out yards on a brisk and misty night. Walsh and Reese also picked up a pair of two-point conversions through the air and on the ground, respectively.

Though the heavy rain had stopped before kickoff, the wet field was still a factor throughout the night as players occasionally lost their footing and the officiating crew had to wipe off the ball after most plays.

That may have contributed to the constant problems for the Hawkeyes on their shotgun snaps. In all, Hanover Area (1-4) lost 57 yards on misfires from center. Northwest also had a snap sail over the quarterback’s head for a loss of 23.

Hazlet said he didn’t think the weather was the main factor.

“I think our defense did a good job of getting pressure on them and that might have affected some of them,” said Hazlet, who credited his assistant coaches for preparing the team.

The Hawkeyes’ lone touchdown came on a 2-yard keeper from Jake Peters in the second quarter that pulled them within 8-7. But the Rangers needed just three plays to answer, as a 62-yard run by Walsh set up an 11-yard score from Reese.

Hanover Area had five possessions in the second half that ended with a punt, a wayward snap for a loss of 14, the pick-6, a shanked punt after a bobble and then a third punt before Northwest ran out the clock.

Taylor led the Hawkeyes with 61 yards on the ground.

Northwest 36, Hanover Area 7

Northwest`8`7`14`7`—`36

Hanover Area`0`7`0`0`—`7

First quarter

NW — Garrett Reese 3 run (Bryce Harrison pass from Jeremy Walsh), 8:33

Second quarter

HAN — Jake Peters 2 run (John Morgan kick), 4:42

NW — Reese 11 run (Walsh kick), 3:41

Third quarter

NW — Walsh 20 run (kick failed), 5:12

NW — Brendan Riley 28 interception return (Reese run), 0:19

Fourth quarter

NW — Hayden Stancavage 5 run (Walsh kick), 9:48

Team statistics`Nwt`HA

First downs`19`7

Rushes-yards`55-292`33-50

Passing yards`48`52

Total yards`340`102

Passing`3-10-1`3-11-1

Sacked-yards lost`1-9`1-11

Punts-avg.`3-33.0`6-26.5

Fumbles-lost`1-0`5-1

Penalties-yards`2-20`6-40

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — NW, Jeremy Walsh 17-133, Garrett Reese 21-132, Jake Anderson 9-45, Zach Carr 2-6, Hayden Stancavage 2-3, TEAM 4-(minus-27). HAN, Tyheim Taylor 19-61, Brandon Chafin 3-35, Jake Peters 7-11, TEAM 4-(minus-57).

PASSING — NW, Walsh 3-10-1-48. HAN, Peters 3-11-1-52.

RECEIVING — NW, Ezra Judge 1-28, Neno Agnello 1-13, Bryce Harrison 1-7. HAN, Chafin 2-15, Brandon Brueckner 1-31.

INTERCEPTIONS — NW, Brendan Riley. HAN, Chafin.

MISSED FGs — NW, 34 (WR).

Northwest running back Garrett Reese scores a second-quarter touchdown against Hanover Area in WVC football action Friday night in Hanover Township.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Hanover-NorthwestFB_1.jpg.optimal.jpgNorthwest running back Garrett Reese scores a second-quarter touchdown against Hanover Area in WVC football action Friday night in Hanover Township. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Northwest’s Jeremy Walsh (8) runs down the left sideline to set up a Ranger touchdown against Hanover Area in WVC football action in Hanover Township on Friday night.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Hanover-NorthwestFB_2.jpg.optimal.jpgNorthwest’s Jeremy Walsh (8) runs down the left sideline to set up a Ranger touchdown against Hanover Area in WVC football action in Hanover Township on Friday night. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Northwest’s Ezra Judge, right, breaks up a pass intended for Hanover Area’s Brandon Brueckner in WVC football action Friday night in Hanover Township.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Hanover-NorthwestFB_3.jpg.optimal.jpgNorthwest’s Ezra Judge, right, breaks up a pass intended for Hanover Area’s Brandon Brueckner in WVC football action Friday night in Hanover Township. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Hanover Area’s Tyheim Taylor runs through a gaping hole in the Northwest defense in WVC football action Friday night in Hanover Township.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Hanover-NorthwestFB_4.jpg.optimal.jpgHanover Area’s Tyheim Taylor runs through a gaping hole in the Northwest defense in WVC football action Friday night in Hanover Township. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Hanover Area quarterback Jake Peters (12) eyes an open receiver against Northwest in WVC football action Friday night in Hanover Township.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Hanover-NorthwestFB_5.jpg.optimal.jpgHanover Area quarterback Jake Peters (12) eyes an open receiver against Northwest in WVC football action Friday night in Hanover Township. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Hanover Area’s Brandon Chafin (11) evades a Northwest tackle in WVC football action Friday night in Hanover Township.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Hanover-NorthwestFB_6.jpg.optimal.jpgHanover Area’s Brandon Chafin (11) evades a Northwest tackle in WVC football action Friday night in Hanover Township. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
Northwest ‘D’ dominates Hawkeyes in 2nd half

By Derek Levarse

[email protected]

Friday night’s scores

Northwest 36, Hanover Area 7

Dallas 28, Williamsport 14

Wyoming Valley West 49, Coughlin 20

Hazleton Area 47, Pittston Area 0

Lake-Lehman 41, Meyers 20

Selinsgrove 17, Berwick 14

Wyoming Area 32, Crestwood 7

Nanticoke 64, Holy Redeemer 14

Tunkhannock 40, Honesdale 8

Wyoming Seminary 29, Columbus Crusaders 17

Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse