Blackhawks get 21st sectional title on the road, now ready for regionals

The REPORTER

Sheridan made a nice second-half comeback at Monroe Central on Friday.

As a result, the Blackhawks are sectional champions again.

Sheridan overcame a 14-0 halftime deficit to get past the Golden Bears 27-22 in the final of Class 1A Sectional 45. It’s the second consecutive sectional title for ‘Hawks, as well as the 21^st in program history.

“We decided to play,” said Sheridan coach Bud Wright. The coach said his team was “in a daze” during the first half, but in the second half, “we came out ready to play and took it to them.”

Eli Kolb helped Sheridan back even with Monroe Central. He scored two third-quarter touchdowns, running the first one in from nine yards, and the second in from 10 yards with a minute and a half to go in the period. Owen Bell made both extra-point kicks.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Golden Bears got the ball back at their own one-yard line. But on the first play of the drive, Monroe Central and Trent DeCraene recovered the ball in the end zone. With that, Sheridan was in the lead, and Bell’s kick made the score 21-14.

The Golden Bears went back ahead on a 30-yard touchdown pass, then ran in a two-point conversion for a 22-21 lead. But Sheridan made a resolute final drive to take back the lead. Zach Bales finished it off with a one-yard touchdown run. The Blackhawks’ defense then stopped Monroe Central in its final drive.

Kolb finished the game with 141 yards rushing, while Bales totaled 117 yards.

Sheridan is 9-3 for the season and hosts North Decatur next Friday for the regional championship.

 

SHERIDAN 27, MONROE CENTRAL 22

Score by Quarters

Sheridan                              0             0             14           13 – 27

Monroe Central                 7             7             0             8 – 22

Team stats                     SHER                      MC

First Downs                        19                           6

By Rush                               18                           4

By Pass                                1                             1

By Penalty                          0                             1

Rushes-Yards                      55-278                 28-204

Passing Yards                      33                           32

Comp-Att-Int-TD               1-7-1-0                 3-8-0-1

Fumbles-Lost                     1-1                         3-1

Penalties-Yards                  3-35                      4-42

Punts-Average                   4-32.8                  6-31.3

Sheridan Scoring

Third Quarter

6:19 – Eli Kolb 9-yard run (Owen Bell kick)

1:25 – Kolb 10-yard run (Bell kick)

Fourth Quarter

11:33 – Trent DeCraene fumble recovery in end zone (Bell kick)

3:26 – Zach Bales 1-yard run (pass failed)

Sheridan individual stats

Rushing: Kolb 22-141, Bales 26-117, Nolan Page 3-18, Bell 4-2.

Passing: Bell 1-7-33.

Receiving: Page 1-33.