Micah Nocita’s game on Friday exemplified Palmer Ridge football this season.

Patient and unselfish, but gritty and unrelenting. 

The junior running back ran through two would-be tacklers on his 16-yard trip to the end zone in the third quarter. Each broken tackle produced a satisfying pop of the pads as he capped off a 21-point quarter for the Bears, which ultimately led to a 35-12 win over Mesa Ridge at Don Breese stadium.

Of Palmer Ridge’s five touchdowns on Friday, Nocita scored two but had a hand in four. 

His play was emblematic of what coach Zach Carlton sees in his now 3-0 team. 

“It’s a group that loves playing for each other which is awesome to see,” he said. “They love the process of it right now, which is encouraging as well.” 

Trusting that process is key as Nocita wasn’t instantly rewarded for his efforts on Friday. 

His 27-yard run midway through the second quarter set up the Bears’ only score of the first half as senior quarterback Knox Tinlin threw a 9-yard pass to senior Zak Crisler.

Nocita broke loose for 43 yards on Palmer Ridge’s opening drive of the second half but was tackled two yards shy of the end zone. Senior back Josh Schrock ran the ball on the next play for the score.

That could be a frustrating sequence of events for some, but not for Nocita. He doesn’t mind when his number isn’t called. 

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me as long as we score. As long as we’re winning and as long as we’re just having a good time,” Nocita said.

His effort paid off on the 16-yard run later in the quarter and again on a 40-yard burst to begin the fourth.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said of the touchdown runs. “It’s a really good feeling just all that hard work by everyone just paying off and it just shows.”

Much like Nocita, Palmer Ridge hit its stride in the second half. 

The Bears and Grizzlies battled in a defensive stalemate in the first half, as following the Tinlin throw to Crisler, Mesa Ridge junior wide receiver Amari McBroom took a pass from senior Koa Dietrich 48 yards up the sideline for the score. The Grizzlies’ missed PAT was the sole difference between the teams at the half as Palmer Ridge entered the locker room with a 7-6 advantage. 

The hosts came out of the break on fire. The opening drive, fueled by Nocita’s long run, set the tone for the half and the Bears kept the Grizzlies penned in their own territory for the majority of the time. 

The dam broke for Mesa Ridge in the third quarter after the Grizzlies turned the Bears over on downs at the 22-yard-line. Palmer Ridge quickly forced a three-and-out on the ensuing defensive series, and a high snap on the punt led to Mesa’s punter being downed at the 2-yard line. Senior Drew Japp punched it in for a 21-6 lead. 

Then Nocita capped off the night with his two scores. 

The Bears have a bye next week while Mesa Ridge plays Scott City in Kansas.