Contributing Writer
SHERIDAN ���?? The streak will continue, at
least for one more week for Class A No. 1 Sheridan.
The
two-time defending state champion Blackhawks, winners of now 32 consecutive
games, steamrolled past No. 11 Clinton Central, 49-0, in a Sectional 36
semifinal that could have been a lot worse if Sheridan had left its starters in
past the four-minute mark â�?�¦ of the THIRD quarter.
���?We came
out and played with a lot of intensity,�� said junior quarterback Nick Zachery.
���?The last time we played them we came out soft and didn���?�t play well at the
beginning, so we wanted to take it to them from the get-go today.��
Zachery,
along with classmate running back Ty Perkins, spearheaded a rushing attack that
gained 362 yards for the game, including 250 in the first half. The powerful
running attack made it so Zachery didn���?�t have to attempt a pass the entire
game.
The duo
combined for 317 of those 362 yards, with Zachery barely outgaining Perkins 160
to 157.
���?The
offensive line played a great game,�� Zachery said. ���?They made the huge holes
for us all game long. Without them, we don���?�t score all those points.��
The
scoring started on the Blackhawks���?� initial possession when Seth Burgen returned
the opening kickoff to the Bulldogs���?� 42 to put Zachery & Co. in prime
scoring position. It took just seven running plays ���?? five from Zachery and two
from Perkins ���?? to get the ball in the end zone when Zachery snuck it in from a
yard out.
On the ensuing
kickoff, Clinton Central fumbled the ball on its own 32. After two Perkins runs
got it in the red zone, Zachery went around the left edge for a 19-yard
touchdown run.
After a
three-and-out by the Bulldogs, Sheridan
started with the ball in its own territory for the first time at the 49. The
result was still the same, however, when Zachery went around the left side
again on the first play for a 51-yard touchdown, and the rout was on.
The
Blackhawks would get one more touchdown run from Zachery in the half ���?? sandwiched
between two from Perkins ���?? to make the score 42-0 at intermission.
After
forcing a turnover on downs to start the third quarter, Sheridan made it a perfect 7 for 7 with
another Perkins run on a right option, bringing us to the final score.
���?All the
hard work in practice paid off,�� Zachery said. ���?We wanted to go right at them,
and we did. I think that will be the game plan from now on.��
It was all
smiles after the game for Sheridan coach Bud Wright, who said there were some
adjustments made after the first meeting between these two teams (a 24-0 road win
by Sheridan in Week 4) that have really worked out.
���?I was
really happy with the way we came out,�� Wright said. ���?I thought we were going
to come out like that, but they did some things to us the last time and it hurt
us offensively.
���?So after
that game we worked with the offensive line, and it has helped us ever since. I
think it really helped up front tonight.��
Another
key to the game may have been the weather.
After
raining much of the afternoon, the rain subsided for the game. But it still
created wet conditions â�?�¦ conditions that may have helped turn a close game into
a blowout.
���?I thought
it would be a closer ball game,�� Wright said. ���?I think we are a lot bigger than
they were on the lines, and with the wet ground that could have been the key.��
Chase
Simmons, who gained 122 yards on the ground in his last game for the Bulldogs,
was one of the few bright spots for Clinton Central (7-4).
Next up
for Sheridan
will be another home game, this time for the Sectional 36 championship against Guerin
Catholic (4-7).
���?They have
a pretty good running back, so we will have to focus in on him,�� Zachery said.
���?It will be a tough week of practice, and we will prepare well like we always
do to play the Golden Eagles.��
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