Waverly-South Shore has found its offensive rhythm.

After struggling to start the season, the Coyotes have exploded for 104 points in the past two games, including a 48-0 non-conference football win over Northwestern at Dacotah Bank Stadium Friday night.

“The scheme finally kicked in. They finally understand it,” said Waverly-South Shore coach Tommy Whitley. “The boys are playing really, really well.”

The Coyotes turned to a pair of their top playmakers to set the tone against Northwestern.

Quarterback Zach Ries hooked up with Cody Thompson for a 35-yard scoring strike on Waverly-South Shore’s first possession and it proved to be a sign of things to come.

Thompson ended up scoring four touchdowns on the evening. He rushed for 98 yards and a pair of scores and also had 125 yards receiving and two more TDs.

He said he doesn’t have a preference between running and receiving.

“I don’t have favorite. I just like to get the ball,” Thompson said. “I couldn’t do it without my quarterback, or that O-Line or any of the other guys on my team. It’s a team sport and I just do what I can to help out the team.”

Interestingly enough, it was an equipment change that Thompson said factored into his performance.

“Early in the game I was wearing those gloves and I just couldn’t catch anything,” Thompson said. “So I took them off and you saw what happened.”

Thompson was able to use his speed once he got the ball to create havoc for the Wildcats.

“He was fast. I could tell,” said Northwestern’s Dustin Dirksen. “He came around that edge pretty quick.”

And once he did, Thompson was tough to bring down.

“It’s like a split-second thing,” Dirksen said. “You try to hit him and try and keep him from going around you, but it really happens all so fast.”

Ries also had a monster game, throwing for 193 yards and also connecting with Kyle Kneeland for two scores and Evan Ekern for another. Ries also ran for 85 yards.

“They did exactly what we asked them to. All week long, we work hard. The boys work hard,” Whitley said. “We come out and play Coyote football like we did tonight, and it makes my job as a head coach really easy.”

Thompson said the team has rallied around teammate Noah Comes, who is battling cancer.

“We got something to play for other than just ourselves,” Thompson said.

The senior said he enjoyed playing at Dacotah Bank Stadium.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Thompson said. “It’s truly special.”

Dirksen, who rushed for 46 yards and had 25 yards receiving, also enjoyed the venue, playing at the facility for the second straight season.

“It’s such a good field and stadium,” Dirksen said. “I love it here. It’s really awesome.”

While the Wildcats have struggled this season, Dirksen said he still enjoys being on the field with his teammates.

“That’s what I’ll remember the most,” Dirksen said of his time with the Wildcats. “We may not win a lot, but I just have fun with them and that’s what it’s about.”

Waverly-South Shore (2-4) 22 12 8 6 – 48

Northwestern (0-6) 0 0 0 0 – 0

First Quarter

WSS – Cody Thompson 35 pass from Zach Ries, 7:31.

WSS – Kyle Kneeland 18 pass from Ries (Thompson run), 6:38.

WSS – Thompson 6 run (Ries run), 1:17.

Second Quarter

WSS – Evan Ekern 4 pass from Ries, 6:23.

WSS – Kneeland 15 pass from Ries, 5:54.

Third Quarter

WSS – Thompson 20 run (Ries run), 8:05.

Fourth Quarter

WSS – Thompson 41 pass from Ries, 7:38.

OFFENSE: Waverly-South Shore, rushing 20-204 (Thompson 8-98, Ries 8-85, Jace Jellis 3-15, Sam Appelhof 1-6), passing 8-19-1 for 193 (Ries 8-19-1 for 193), receiving (Thompson 4-125, Kneeland 2-33, Appelhof 1-31, Ekern 1-4), first downs 19; Northwestern, rushing 29-97 (Dustin Dirksen 15-46, Landon Braun 2-33, Cole Caulder 1-15, Connor Orr 2-11), passing 10-20-3 for 83 (Dallas Stoltenberg 10-20-3 for 83), receiving (Braun 5-29, Dirksen 2-25, Caulder 3-24, Eli Miller 1-4), first downs 9.

DEFENSE: Waverly-South Shore, Bryan Rameriz 5 tackles and blocked punt, Thompson 4 tackles and 1 INT., Colten Schroeder 3 tackles and 1 INT., Applehof 3 tackles and 1 INT.; Northwestern, Braun 4 tackles, Brayden Sattler 3 tackles and blocked PAT kick, Caulder 3 tackles, Dirksen 3 tackles.