Timberland Can't Stop Suber, Parkway North

During preparation for visiting , Parkway North head coach Bob Bunton hammered into his team that the key to a good running game starts with the offensive line.

Unfortunately for the Wolves, the Vikings listened to their coach.

Running behind an offensive front that took control of the line of scrimmage early, Parkway North senior running back Jovonte Suber rushed for a season-high 129 yards and three scores as the Vikings earned a dominant 35-17 victory over the Wolves on Friday night.

Timberland head coach Craig Collins said the Wolves had the right offensive scheme, they just couldn't execute.

"The way they play defense, you are going to have one-on-one matchups out there and you have to win them," Collins said. "We had the guys that should have been able to do it and we just weren't making connections.

"They were running the dare-you-to-throw defense and we felt good about that coming in, we just had trouble connecting the passes in the first half. In the second half, we did a little better."

After the game, Bunton said he was pleased with the strides his offensive line and running back made in the matchup.

"Jovonte Suber is a very good back and he had a good night for us," Bunton said. "Our line is a very inexperienced line and it has been slow progress. But, I'm very pleased, not only tonight, but with practice this week.

"These kids are very good kids and a lot of them are new. I think we will go in and look at tape and be thrilled with what we saw tonight."

Suber started the game slow for the Vikings (2-2) in their first drive, running three straight times for a total loss of one yard. He quickly recovered, however, and scored on Parkway North's next possession on a three-yard rumble.

Suber scored again in the third quarter on another three-yard run, before breaking away from Timberland's defense in the fourth for a 47-yard touchdown.

Much like his coach, the running back gave credit to his offensive line.

"During practice this week, coach emphasized that the line block well," Suber said. "Coach made a point that they pick it up this game.

"Going into halftime, coach made sure that they knew the linebackers were coming over the top. He made sure they picked up on their assignments and finished strong."

The Wolves (1-3) had trouble on the offensive end in the first half, putting their only points on the board via junior Travis Arndt's field goal. Timberland went into the locker room facing a 14-3 deficit, but was determined to get its offense rolling in the second half.

Junior quarterback Ryan Bainbridge came out firing, but threw a costly interception early in the third that junior defensive end Johnathan Little returned for a touchdown.

Bainbridge collected himself and was able to move the Wolves down the field in the final minutes. Bainbridge tossed a 23-yard touchdown to senior wide receiver Ben Steinkamp to make the final score 35-17.

Brainbridge went 14-for-40 passing with 195 yards.

Next week, Timberland will host Francis Howell Central in its homecoming game.