Sheridan made a second-half comeback and scored the first win of the season on Friday, pulling away from old rival Clinton Central 49-29 in a Hoosier Heartland Conference game at Bud Wright Stadium.
The Blackhawks trailed 21-7 in the second quarter, but began its comeback in the last minute of the half. Cameron Hovey scored on a two-yard run, then caught a two-point conversion pass from Silas DeVaney. That got Sheridan within 21-15 at halftime. DeVaney scored a first-quarter touchdown on a one-yard run early in the period.
The ‘Hawks opened up the second half with a quick scoring drive. Hovey took care of business with a four-yard TD run just 35 seconds into the half. Hovey added another four-yard scoring run minutes later to give his team a 29-21 lead.
“We received the second-half kickoff and go down and scored in about three or four plays,” said Sheridan coach Bud Wright. “We score again, and then they tied it.”
The score remained tied until there were six seconds left in the third quarter, when DeVaney picked up his second touchdown of the game, on another one-yard run. That put Sheridan up 35-29, and the Blackhawks controlled the fourth quarter, shutting out the Bulldogs while adding two more touchdowns.
Evan Bourdon scored on a 13-yard run, with Hovey making a two-point run afterwards. Hovey scored his fourth touchdown with four seconds left to cement the game.
“The big difference was we started playing better defense,” said Wright. The coaches had a “heart-to-heart talk” with the players at halftime, made some adjustments, straightened things out, and came away with the win.
Hovey finished the game with 242 yards on 26 carries; he also kicked three extra points. Keenan Warren caught a 58-yard pass from DeVaney.
“I think this was the first time he has been over 200 yards,” said Wright of Hovey. “He had a heck of a good night on defense. He had big time numbers on tackles.”
Wright said another key element to Sheridan’s win was the play of Charlie Cronin and Chris Starks on defense, saying “they shut the inside down completely.”
“That was a big thing,” said Wright. “We took Cronin from linebacker into a down position inside and that made a big difference for us.”
The Blackhawks are 1-1 and will play at Tri-Central next Friday.
SHERIDAN 49,
CLINTON CENTRAL 29
Score by Quarters
Clinton Central 14 7 8 0 – 29
Sheridan 7 8 20 14 – 49
Team Stats CC SHS
First Downs 11 21
By Rush 5 19
By Pass 5 1
By Penalty 1 1
Rushes-Yards 35-93 54-415
Yards Passing 198 58
Comp-Att-Int-TD 11-22-0-1 1-6-0-0
Penalties-Yards 5-49 7-79
Punts-Average 7-27.9 3-37.0
Sheridan Scoring
First Quarter
8:53 – Silas DeVaney 1-yard run (Cameron Hovey kick)
Second Quarter
0:48 – Hovey 2-yard run (Hovey pass from DeVaney)
Third Quarter
11:25 – Hovey 4-yard run (Hovey kick)
8:44 – Hovey 4-yard run (Hovey kick)
0:06 – DeVaney 1-yard run (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
6:34 – Evan Bourdon 13-yard run (Hovey run)
0:45 – Hovey 1-yard run (run failed)
Sheridan individual stats
Rushing: Hovey 26-242, Bourdon 10-91, DeVaney 11-0, Peyton Cross 4-61, Cale Cummings 1-minus 9.
Passing: DeVaney 1-6-58.
Receiving: Keenan Warren 1-58.
Sheridan’s Cameron Hovey makes a play that would set up a touchdown during the Blackhawks’ game with Clinton Central on Friday. Hovey scored four touchdowns for Sheridan in its 49-29 win. (Kirk Green)
Sheridan coach Bud Wright goes over plays adjustments that will be made during halftime. (Kirk Green)