By ADAM KROEMER
Correspondent
ELKHART —
For the second straight week, Concord’s defense carried the day.
The Minutemen held Elkhart Memorial scoreless through the first three quarters, then withstood a late charge from the Crimson Chargers to secure a 20-7 win.
Concord (2-0, 1-0 NLC) had its hands full with a speedy Elkhart Memorial squad that had put up 41 points in a season-opening romp over city rival Central.
But the Minuteman defense was up to the challenge, intercepting four passes and maintaining field position most of the night.
“That’s what a Northern Lakes Conference game is supposed to be like. That was a heck of a game,” said Concord coach Tim Dawson. “When you think of the plays our defense made, they did a great job. They were consistent, and they kept making plays.”
The plays were needed, as Elkhart Memorial was up to the challenge, limiting the Minutemen to a pair of Nick Wysong field goals in the first half.
Concord still held a 6-0 lead early in the fourth quarter, but quarterback Anthony Yoder’s 31-yard scramble and subsequent late hit penalty gave the Minutemen first down on the Crimson Charger 18. Three plays later, Yoder snuck in from the one, and Wysong’s point after pushed the Minutemen ahead, 13-0.
That lead lasted exactly one play, as Memorial signal caller Dustin Mills found Devante Anderson streaking down the middle of the field for an 80-yard touchdown, bringing the Crimson Chargers within 13-7. After forcing a Concord punt, Elkhart Memorial had the ball back with momentum.
But Mills was intercepted by Concord’s Chris Makin, who returned the pick to the Crimson Charger 20. Yoder then found Joe Adams alone in the endzone on a 10-yard pass to secure the win.
