Defense carries Edmond Memorial in win over Edmond North
Edmond Memorial 10, Edmond North 0

BY ROBERT PRZYBYLO Comments 1
Published: October 31, 2009

EDMOND — One of the biggest questions entering the Edmond Memorial and Edmond North football game on Friday night was if Memorial had enough offensive firepower to keep up with North.

Edmond Memorial’s Cale Olbert is brought down in front of Edmond North’s Brandon Downing during Friday’s game at Wantland Stadium. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

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With a defense like Memorial’s, that never became an issue.

Memorial senior Nelson Medeiros was lifted on the shoulders of his teammates after the game but really any number of Bulldog defenders could have had the honor.

In an absolute dominant defensive performance, Memorial took back the Edmond city championship with a 10-0 victory at UCO’s Wantland Stadium.

It is Memorial’s first city title since 1997.

"This is amazing to know we’re the senior class that is bringing it back. Hopefully, this is the start for future classes,” senior cornerback Jordan Marczewski said. "You can’t top a shutout.”

How dominant was the defense? Memorial only allowed 75 yards (47 passing, 28 rushing) for the game.

North quarterback Travis Townsend hadn’t thrown an interception all season. But after a second-quarter sack by Jared Chambers, Townsend, who entered the game with a high ankle sprain, was never the same.

Townsend threw three interceptions, with the dagger coming with 2:21 left in the fourth quarter. Medeiros picked it off and went 49 yards down the sideline for the game’s only touchdown.

"We’ve always been a defensive team. It’s what we pride ourselves on,” Medeiros said. "It just kind of floated my way, and I picked up some great blocks.”

Memorial (6-3 overall, 5-1 district) has won five games in a row and has clinched a first-round playoff game at home.

It didn’t come easy. After a 1-3 start, Memorial looked like it was going to become a team that would be known for getting close to the finish line but falling just short.

The second half had been its undoing in losses to Del City and Midwest City. But even against those teams and Southmoore, Memorial has never allowed more than 22 points.

First-year coach Justin Merideth took a gamble four weeks ago and replaced senior starting quarterback Blake Umberham with junior all-around talent Kameron Doolittle.

Whatever move Merideth has made lately, it’s been the right one.

"The coaching staff has been phenomenal,” Medeiros said. "They never let us get down on ourselves.”

Memorial kicker Will Conant had a 44-yard field goal in the first quarter, but North’s defense was up to the challenge. The Huskies (7-2, 4-2) only allowed 95 yards of total offense, and Brandon Downing had an interception. In the second half, Memorial had 21 rushes for 8 yards.

Joe Aska Jr. rushed for 49 yards for the Huskies. Cale Olbert led Memorial with 60 yards rushing.