By JAMES SEAY
For The Reporter
SHERIDAN – On a night meant to honor Sheridan’s seniors, the Eastern Comets spoiled the celebration with a late-game surge, defeating the Blackhawks 38-23 at Bud Wright Stadium. The loss puts a dent in Sheridan’s Hoosier Heartland Conference title hopes as they now prepare for a crucial showdown against undefeated and 1A No.3 Carroll next week.
Sheridan, led by legendary head coach Larry “Bud” Wright in his 60th season came into the game riding a hot streak, having won four of its last five games. Wright lamented missed opportunities and defensive lapses that led to the defeat.
“We didn’t adjust to their changes in their defense,” said Wright. “We should have made more adjustments, but the adjustments we made didn’t get it right.”
The game started with both defenses dominating. The Blackhawk defense forced a three-and-out to open the game, fueled by a massive sack by junior Jacob Hall. Still, Sheridan couldn’t capitalize on their strong field position by turning the ball over on downs deep in Comet territory. After a couple of punts, Eastern capitalized on the game’s first score on an SHS fumble. Eastern was able to utilize a trick play to open up an 8-0 lead.
Sheridan quickly answered when senior quarterback Owen Bell found senior wide receiver Dayne Voege for a 43-yard touchdown strike. It was the first of the two connections the seniors completed on their special night.
Eastern fought back with a long run by Isaiah Pickett to regain a 15-14 lead. The Comet running back ended the night with 181 yards on the ground. EHS extended the lead to 22-14 heading into halftime with the second of Gibson Eagle’s three passing scores on the night.
Sheridan clawed back in the third quarter after Hall punched in a short TD run, and a field goal gave the Blackhawks a 23-22 lead late in the third quarter. But in the fourth quarter, Eastern took control, starting with a 63-yard touchdown pass that bounced off Voege’s hands for the would-be interception, followed by a 73-yard breakaway run by Pickett to secure the 38-23 win for Eastern.
“We didn’t get enough defensive big plays. That was the biggest trouble for us,” said Wright as the Blackhawks struggled to stop Eastern’s explosive plays in the final minutes.
With nine seniors set to graduate, Sheridan will look to finish the season strong and head into the playoffs to defend its regional championship. “We will get ourselves up and prepare ourselves to do a better job. We will work this week to eliminate mistakes,” said Wright.
Sheridan will travel to Flora to play the Carroll Cougars at 7 p.m. next Friday in its final regular season game. Carroll is 8-0.
