Nemeth Helps Aliso Niguel Maintain Control in 28-6 Victory

One look at the quagmire in the middle of Aliso Niguel’s stadium after two days of steady rain and Wolverines Coach Joe Wood knew he had to keep the ball in Scott Nemeth’s hands.

The quarterback-turned-running back responded with a magnificent game Friday night in the first round of the Southern Section Division VIII playoffs.

Nemeth carried the ball 29 times for 187 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 28-6 romp over Ganesha.

Nemeth didn’t fumble once and never lost yardage in the muddy conditions. In his eighth game at tailback this year, he has 1,059 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns.

“This was like playing out at the park, getting all muddy,” Nemeth said. “The ball stayed in our hands, they had a few unfortunate turnovers and we stayed with our game plan. This is definitely what we wanted to happen.”

The Wolverines’ 11th consecutive victory keeps their season alive as the division’s top-seeded team. Next up is Troy, which defeated Los Amigos in another first-round game.

Ganesha ends its season 5-6.

The Wolverines controlled the game from the start. Although their first drive ended with an interception in the end zone, they got the ball right back and drove 52 yards in six plays, Nemeth scoring from 27 yards on the first play of the second quarter.

After the second of four fumbles lost by Ganesha with 1:55 left before halftime, Aliso Niguel drove 68 yards in four plays. The key play came on the only completed pass of the game for the Wolverines, 54 yards from Wes Thomas to Ryan Devine. Nemeth scored from the one for a 14-0 halftime lead.

The Wolverines’ defense stuffed Ganesha’s running game and pressured quarterback Brian Norwood into just five completions in 21 attempts.

Wolverines linebacker Nick Gerasimou recovered two fumbles.