WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- A six-point win welcomed Jack Cochran back to the gridiron on Friday night.

The Northwest Catholic Indians hosted the New London Whalers in a rare night game thanks to temporary lights.

Video Highlights: New London vs. Northwest Catholic

Whalers head coach Jack Cochran returned to his position after sitting out last season. Cochran resigned as coach last August after he was accused of punching a rival coach. The school district reappointed him in December.

A big standing-room-only crowd gathered for Cochran's return and in anticipation of whether the Indians could handle the seventh-ranked Whalers.

The score was tied 7-7 early in the second quarter. Then, the Whalers' Dom Griffen scored on a 9-yard touchdown with 3:40 left in the half. New London missed the extra point and the first half ended 13-7.

In the second half, New London fumbled during a kick off and Northwest Catholic took advantage. Indians quarterback Tom Burdon threw to Don Spence for a 41-yard touchdown. With the extra point good, the Indians took the one-point advantage, 14-13.

New London fired back, however, with a 6-yard quarterback keeper by Jordon Reed. This time, the extra point was good, putting the Whalers back on top 20-14 with six minutes left in the third quarter.

In the first play of the fourth quarter, Northwest Catholic's Spence again made his way down the field, this time for a 15-yard touchdown, putting the Indians back on top 21-20.

Late in the fourth, New London's Griffen again got the ball for a 32-yard touchdown run. Again, the extra point was good, putting the Whalers back up again, 27-21.

In its last drive, Northwest was intercepted: Game over.

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