North River Christian blown out by Tabernacle

Fri. October 05, 2012 at 10:44 p.m. | By Morgan Upton

The Chargers’ Michael Robertson tries to break free from a defender. Robertson set up North River’s lone touchdown with a 25-yard run. Matthew Robertson scored on a 10-yard run. (Photo by Skylar Kynard)

NORTHPORT | In its first game since Sept. 14, North River Christian held Tabernacle Christian scoreless in the second half but didn’t have the offensive power to overcome a 46-point halftime deficit, falling 54-8 in eight-man football Friday night.

Tabernacle scored first on a 70-yard run, but North River responded. A 25-yard run by Michael Robertson set up a 10-yard touchdown reception by Matthew Robertson, who scored the two-point conversion on a 3-yard run to tie game at 8 in the first.

Matthew Robertson was a spark on the offensive side for the Chargers. After his touchdown reception, he had four more catches for 62 yards, including two 20-yarders in the fourth quarter.

North River coach Kevin Boswell praised Robertson’s performance.

“He is an all-around outstanding ball player,” Boswell said. “He’ll step up and play wherever we put him.”

The Torches reeled off 46 unanswered points after North River’s touchdown.

At halftime, Boswell urged his team to not give up.

“I told them we had to play,” Boswell said. “I told them one play at a time and not to quit on me. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Play on every play. They did what I asked.”

The Chargers responded by coming out and holding the Torches scoreless in the second half.

After giving up 260 rushing yards in the first half, North River held Tabernacle to 40 in the second half.

Boswell was pleased with his team’s effort, noting his team was mismatched due to injuries.

“We played a varsity team with junior varsity boys,” Boswell said. “We only had three varsity players and had to pull two of them out due to them being hurt tonight. We played with a bunch of sixth-, seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders that put points on the board. I’m tickled to death for them.”

North River (2-5, 1-4 CFA) travels to Victory next Friday.