Joe Aska, Edmond North tune up for playoffs with win over Westmoore
Edmond North 43, Westmoore 0

BY ED GODFREY, Staff Writer Comments 0
Published: November 7, 2009

With its playoff position already secure, Friday night’s game with Westmoore didn’t seem to matter much for Edmond North.

But apparently, it did matter to star running back Joe Aska and the rest of the Huskies.

Aska rushed for 129 yards on 24 carries and scored four touchdowns as Edmond North belted Westmoore 43-0 at Wantland Stadium.

"It was real important,” Aska said. "It’s momentum for the playoffs.”

Edmond North already had wrapped up third place in district play. The Huskies will open the Class 6A playoffs Friday at Lawton.

But Huskie coach Jeremy Dombek admitted he was worried if his club would be motivated to play Westmoore. His worries quickly disappeared. The Huskies started with a 10-play, 63-yard scoring drive on their first possession. Quarterback Travis Townsend was 4-of-5 for 48 yards on the drive, and Aska capped it off with a 4-yard touchdown run.

Dombek’s defense also dominated the Jaguars from the start. The Huskie defense even contributed a safety in bulding a 15-0 halftime lead.

Then Aska, who became Edmond North’s first 1,000-yard rusher in five seasons, ran wild in the third quarter. He scored on runs of 9, 14 and 8 yards to turn the game into a rout.

Aska and most of the other Husky starters watched the Edmond North reserves play the fourth quarter.

"He ran hard,” Dombek said of Aska. "I give credit to our guys up front. I thought they played well.”

Townsend was 13-of-21 passing for 180 yards with one interception. He connected with tight end Blake Gatewood on a 19-yard scoring strike in the second period and a 69-yard reception in the third quarter that set up Aska’s second touchdown.

Dombek said the Huskies (8-2 overall and 5-2 in district play) are getting healthy just in time for the playoffs.

"That’s huge for us,” he said. "We know whoever we play next week is going to be a huge challenge.

"But we are feeling pretty good about ourselves. We like our chances. We think we match up good with whoever we play.”

It was Aska’s first 100-yard game in a month.

"He’s our go-to guy,” Dombek said. "It’s no secret.”