Sheridan’s defense had been playing outstanding all Friday night at Eastern, but the Blackhawks saved their best for last.
The game between Sheridan and the Comets went to overtime with the score tied at 7-7. After the ‘Hawks scored a touchdown, Eastern had its turn. But Sheridan never gave the Comets a chance, keeping them well away from the end zone.
As a result, the Blackhawks won 14-7. It was a big victory, mostly because Eastern was unbeaten in Hoosier Heartland Conference play coming into the game. Now both the Comets and Sheridan are 5-1 in conference play, with the ‘Hawks holding the tiebreaker after winning the head-to-head matchup.
“We knew they were pretty good,” said Blackhawks coach Bud Wright. “They lost their first game, then they won six in a row.”
But, the coach also pointed out the following: “When we got all of our people, we’re pretty good also.”
Eastern scored its touchdown in the second quarter on a 38-yard pass play, and that 7-0 lead stood at halftime. Sheridan did make a key defensive play right before halftime, as the Comets got the ball down to “the two-foot line,” as Wright called it, but the Blackhawks made a defensive stand to stop Eastern from scoring.
Sheridan tied the game in the third quarter when Gavin Reners punched the ball in from the one-yard line and Owen Bell made the extra-point kick. There would be no more scoring in regulation, so it was on to overtime.
The Blackhawks got the ball first, and gave it to Jalen Herron all three times. Herron broke through on the third try, running the ball in from four yards for a touchdown. Bell kicked the extra point.
Sheridan’s defense then dominated Eastern’s offensive try. The Blackhawks made a quarterback sack on first down, then induced two incomplete passes. Sheridan finished the game with another sack on fourth down.
“Our defense really stepped up,” said Wright.
Herron led the rushing with 68 yards, while Reners totaled 59 yards.
Sheridan is 6-2 overall and hosts Carroll next week to finish regular-season and HHC play.