Smith leads North Shore Country Day

Updated: October 6, 2011 9:10PM

North Shore Country Day behind the accurate passing from senior quarterback Steve Smith and a stellar defensive effort led the Raiders to their seventh straight victory over Hope Academy, 33-14 in a Northeastern Athletic Conference clash in Winnetka. Smith Completed 14 of 19 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns. The Raiders defense throughout the game did bend but didn’t break. The defense led by Sam Tullman, George Eisner and Kemani Hunter stymied two key Hope Academy scoring threats in the first period.

“This was definitely a defensive win for us, “said North Shore head coach Jim Deuble. “Hope Academy in running back Jeremiah Westbrooks had a big afternoon against us but the defense did a good job when it had to stop them.” Westbrooks finished the game with 136 yards and 25 carries and a 55-yard touchdown run. The touchdown run by Westbrooks cut the Raider lead to 12-8 late in the first quarter. Hope Academy (5-2) forced North Shore to punt on the Raiders first possession in the second quarter. Westbrooks from the Hope 45-yard line dashed 45 yards to the Raider 10. The North Shore defense stiffened and held Hope on downs and took over on their eight. Three plays followed when Smith rifled a perfect strike to Zach March who out ran the Hope defense for 72-yard touchdown to put NSCD ahead 19-8.

“The Smith-to-March touchdown pass was the back breaker, “Deuble said. “The momentum changed when the defense held them and then March scored on the touchdown pass.” March for the game hauled down five passes for 162 yards with two touchdown receptions of 65 and 72 yards. March for the season has registered 15 touchdowns. To go along with March, Smith has a fine assortment of other receivers. Austin Curren caught two passes each for an 11-yard touchdown and Elias Butler caught six passes for 55 yards. Hope Academy cut into the North Shore lead at 26-14 in the fourth quarter with 4:46 left to play. Hope attempted an onside kick but the Raiders recovered. Ayo Okesanya held down by the Hope Academy defense closed out the Raiders scoring with 1:33 left to play on a three yard run.

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