Northern Lebanon goes back-to-back in Section Three

The Section Three title belongs to the Northern Lebanon football team, lock, stock and barrel.

Again.

After clinching a tie for a second straight section title with last week's come-from-behind win at Donegal, the Vikings made sure they wouldn't have to share the crown with anyone Friday night, officially going back-to-back in Section Three with a 53-14 demolition of Columbia in a lopsided regular season finale on the Crimson Tide's home field.

Now 8-2 overall after completing its section schedule at 6-0, Northern Lebanon also all but qualified for the District Three Class AAA playoffs for a second straight year with Friday's triumph.

The Vikings entered the night at the No. 14 spot in the AAA power rankings and figure to claim a spot in the 16-team field when the final numbers are released this weekend.

Quarterback Isaac Wengert led the way with another brilliant performance in a season filled with them, throwing for 306 yards on 18 of 22 attempts and three touchdowns, rushing for 72 yards and three more scores, and also returning a kickoff 69 yards for a TD.

Northern Lebanon led just 6-0 after the opening quarter, but then proceeded to erupt for 28 points in the second quarter to break the game wide open.

Included in the big second quarter were a pair of Wengert-to-Michigan Daub TD passes — of 16 and 34 yards — and another scoring toss of 28 yards to Corey Teasdale.

In all, the Vikings piled up 483 total yards, while holding the Crimson Tide to just 121.

The contest was halted with three minutes left when a Columbia player was seriously injured on a touchdown run by NL's Stevie Herb. The player was taken to a local hospital. There was no word on his condition.

Northern Lebanon 53, Columbia 14

Northern Lebanon628613—53Columbia0860—14

First Quarter

NL — Wengert 10 run (run failed)

Second Quarter

NL — Daub 16 pass from Wengert (Wengert run)

NL— Teasdale 28 pass from Wengert (run failed)

NL — Daub 34 pass from Wengert (Daub run)

NL — Wengert 5 run (run failed)

C — Miller 10 run (McIntyre run)

Third Quarter

NL — Wengert 20 run (run failed)

C — Miller 20 run (run failed)

Fourth Quarter

NL — Wengert 69 kick return (Herb kick)

NL — S. Herb 10 run (no extra point)

NLCFirst downs136Rushes-yards38-17738-76Passing18-22-13-9-0Passing yards30645Total yards483121Punts2-39.56-30.7Fumbles-lost4-13-2Penalties-yards3-254-18