FORT SMITH -- After shooting itself in the foot on offense, Fort Smith Northside relied on its defense to put away Little Rock Catholic.
The Grizzlies scored on its first two second-half possessions and the defense didn't allow a first down in the final two quarters to defeat the Rockets 21-6 on Friday at Mayo-Thompson Stadium.
The Rockets (2-4, 0-3 6A-Central) ran just 11 offensive plays in the second half and lost 8 yards as Northside (4-1, 1-0) dominated the second half. The Grizzlies won despite seven turnovers on the night (four fumbles, three interceptions).
"Our defense played lights out tonight. They were great tonight," Northside coach Mike Falleur.
The Grizzlies also rushed for over 200 yards and dominated the game in the second half.
"We were able to run the football. That is why we won the game, along with the defense," Falleur said. "We hit some big pass plays and we need to be better at that. When you run the football well, it opens up a lot of opportunities."
Catholic coach John Fogleman said the offensive struggles in the second half hampered any chance of a rally.
"I was really disappointed with our performance in the second half, but (Northside) had a lot to do with that, especially their defense," Fogleman said.
Northside led 7-6 at halftime despite committing five turnovers.
"The first half was just ... us. We had a lot of unforced mistakes," Falleur said.
The Grizzlies, though, shook off the first half of miscues in the third quarter, taking the opening kickoff and marching 80-yards in 13 plays. The drive was capped when Drey Norwood hit an open Ty Massey for a 27-yard touchdown with 5:58 left in the quarter for a 14-6 lead.
After the defense forced a three-and-out, a short punt gave Northside possession at the Rocket 48. The Grizzlies scored seven plays later on 8-yard scoring toss from Norwood to Walker Catsavis. Slate Stanton's PAT made it 21-6 with 1:24 left in the third quarter.
The Northside defense did the rest.
Northside's lone score in the first half was a 38-yard touchdown pass from Norwood to Catsavis, capping a 94-yard, 9-play drive with 1:58 left before halftime.
Paul Owens booted field goal of 36 and 24 yards. The first field goal was thanks to a short punt that gave the Rockets possession at the Northside 34 while another was a recovered muffed punt by Northside at the Grizzly 38.
"We had a lot of missed opportunities in the first half," Fogleman said. "We had turnovers and a short field and we had to settle for field goals."
Four Downs
• Northside dominated the third quarter with two touchdown possessions. The Grizzlies ran 20 plays in the quarter while Catholic had just six offensive plays.
• Drey Norwood was 6-for-9 passing in the second half for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Norwood had three touchdown passes and three interceptions in the game. Ty Massey rushed for 105 yards and caught a 27-yard touchdown pass.
• The Grizzly defense did not allow a first down in the second half to Catholic. The Rockets only ran 11 total plays in the second half for minus-8 yards.
• Next week: Northside travels to Conway while Catholic hosts North Little Rock.
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FS NORTHSIDE 21, LR CATHOLIC 6
LR Catholic ^0 ^6 ^0 ^0 — 6
FS Northside ^0 ^7 ^14 ^0 — 21
Second Quarter
CATH – FG Owens 36, 8:51.
NORTH– Catsavis 38 from Norwood (Stanton kick), 1:58.
CATH – FG Owens 24, :14.
Third Quarter
NORTH– Massey 33 from Norwood (Stanton kick), 5:58.
NORTH– Catsavis 8 from Norwood (Stanton kick), 1:24.