All coaches hope to improve as the season progresses.

While Northern Lehigh may have taken a slight step backward last week, the Bulldogs rebounded in a big way Friday night.

Joe Tout’s squad used a balanced offense and a stifling defense to take care of business, 42-7, against the Warriors on Homecoming Night.

“We were humbled last week,” said Tout, referring to the 49-19 loss his team suffered at Notre Dame. “What I think we have here, I think we can be more competitive in those games. We just asked our kids to get better.

“We were a little sloppy early. We didn’t connect on everything … but overall, we asked our guys to get better this week — and we did it.”

Northern Lehigh scored four times — two through the air and two on the ground — in the opening half to build a sizable lead, but it was the defense that especially got the job done.

Wilson hit on a 16-yard pass during its first possession, but that would prove to be half of its first-half output as the Bulldogs held their opponent to just 32 total yards through the first two quarters.

The Bulldogs (5-2) were able to get pressure on Warrior quarterback Jeramy Cressman and stuffed the run game.

“We thought initially our secondary is where we’d have a lot of confidence in, and they’re still young, but what I’m seeing is our front is getting better,” Tout said. “That front seven is getting a lot better.

“We’re seeing improvement (with our younger guys), and we know we’re building something special for the next couple years.”

The Bulldogs were able to seize momentum early against a struggling Warrior team that is winless.

On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Northern Lehigh went to an empty backfield and sophomore quarterback Garrett Smoyer hit senior tight end Ayden Oswald with a short pass over the middle. Oswald broke away from his defender and raced 58 yards for a quick score.

“We caught them in a little bit of a trick play with a lineman,” Tout said about the opening play. “It’s fun when it works. We told the officials we wanted to run it early, and they told us we got you, but make sure you run it right. We ran it all week and it looked good.

“We wanted that big momentum grab early in the game and the kids executed. I’m happy for Ayden Oswald, who went from quarterback to tight end. I’m really proud of the way he’s never complained about (the position change). He’s been one of our leaders and probably our biggest leader, so I’m glad he was able to make a play on the first play of the game.”

There would be more big plays for the Bulldogs to extend the lead.

Smoyer threw for his second TD early in the second frame when he hit classmate Chris Frame with a 30-yard strike to extend the lead to 14-0.

After Oswald intercepted a pass midway through the second, Nolehi turned to its powerful run game. Seven consecutive rushing attempts completed a 48-yard march that ended with Grady Newhard’s 5-yard burst to the end zone.

Just before the half and following a three-and-out by the defense, Smoyer found Frame for another 30-yard pickup to help set up a 2-yard TD run by Isaac Raber.

“Garrett, for being a sophomore, now we’re reaping the rewards of a kid that’s six games into his sophomore year,” Tout said about his quarterback, who was forced to start as a freshman a year ago due to an injury to Oswald.

“We’re also finding a little bit more balance. It’s not just Grady Newhard (running the ball on offense). Now we have Chris Frame, Ayden Oswald tonight, we have Ryan Zambo and others. All those guys are developing.”

The Bulldogs put the game away on their first possession of the second half. Zambo broke free for a 22-yard run that eventually led to Frame’s 3-yard score that initiated the mercy rule.

“Overall, I’m happy,” said Tout. “I thought we took a positive step forward tonight. We told our guys not to look ahead, but we felt like if we could get on a little bit of a roll we could put a couple wins together here.”

THE NUMBERS … Newhard carried 12 times for 105 yards, while Smoyer completed 8 of 17 passes for 144 yards and the two scores. Reese Lipsky accounted for the final Bulldog score on an 11-yard run.

SPREADING THE WEALTH ... Northern Lehigh had 10 different players run the ball, and collected a total of 216 yards.

LOOKING AHEAD … The Bulldogs travel next Friday to Catasauqua before hosting Salisbury the following week.

No. Lehigh 42, Wilson 7

Wilson 0 0 0 7 - 7

No. Lehigh 7 20 8 7 - 42

NL - A. Oswald 58 pass from Smoyer (Hanna kick)

NL - Frame 30 pass from Smoyer (Hanna kick)

NL - Newhard 5 run (Hanna kick)

NL - Raber 2 run (kick failed)

NL - Frame 3 run (Newhard run)

W - Z. Johnson 20 run (kick good)

NL - Lipsky 11 run (Berfield kick)