Marengo keeps Burlington Central winless
Marengo finally wound up with a running clock against Burlington Central, which was somewhat surprising because the game felt much closer than the 40-0 final score.
The Rockets trailed only 6-0 with 6 minutes left in the first half before a tough bounce helped turn the tide for the Indians.
Marengo (6-0, 4-0) spoiled the Rockets' homecoming with the Big Northern East victory.
A bouncing punt by Marengo struck the leg of a Rockets' player. The Indians' Colton Wightman alertly picked up the ball and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. After several conferences, the officials allowed the score to stand.
Marengo added another score 13 seconds before halftime after converting 2 fourth downs on the drive. The Indians included a fake punt as punter Jarrell Jackson ran 4 yards for the first down. Jarren Jackson eventually capped the drive with a 4-yard run.
"I feel like they converted at least 5 fourth downs, 2 on that last drive in the first half," said Central coach Jason Newburger. "And then the fluky bounce on the punt. It's a little bit different ballgame if those two things (don't) happen, but that's football. Those things did happen, and we didn't bounce back from it the way we would have liked in the second half."
Marengo added 2 more scores in the third quarter as the Rocket defenders started to wear down.
Jason Berango, starting at quarterback, led the Rockets with 74 yards on 27 carries and also completed 2 passes for 33 yards. Esteban Escobar led the defense, coming up with a sack and a fumble recovery.
Marengo quarterback Zach Knoblock threw for 235 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a score.
Central fell to 0-6, 0-4.
The Rockets moved the ball on their first two drives, reaching the Marengo 28 and 34, respectively, but were unable to convert on fourth down either time.
After the Rockets came up short on their opening drive, the Indians turned around and marched 70 yards in 9 plays, with Knoblock hitting Craiton Nice for the score from 26 yards out. Nice finished with 7 receptions for 94 yards.