Believe it or not, Sheridan football coach Bud Wright said his team “started out slow” in its Friday night against old rival Clinton Central.
Once the Blackhawks got going, they couldn’t be stopped. Sheridan piled up 28 points in the first quarter, and cruised to a 56-6 victory over the Bulldogs at Bud Wright Stadium. This was the first win of the season for the Class 1A No. 10 Blackhawks, after they dropped their opener at Western Boone last week.
Sheridan is 1-1 for the season, and 1-0 in the Hoosier Heartland Conference.
Gunnar Williams scored three touchdowns for the ‘Hawks, two on medium-sized rushes and the third towards the end of the first period on a 44-yard interception return. The Blackhawks’ defense stepped up in the final 30 seconds of that period to force two takeaways that resulted in touchdowns; Joe Callahan ran in from 16 yards to get the first score, and Williams’ pick six was the second.
“We played pretty good,” said Wright.
Sheridan added two more touchdowns in both the second and third quarters. Cole Cummings caught a long pass from Drake Delph to reach the end zone midway through the second, and Nick Burnell ended the half with a long TD run.
In the third quarter, Cameron Hovey gave the Blackhawks a special teams touchdown by taking a punt return 66 yards into the end zone. James Manis finished the Sheridan scoring with a short run midway through the period. Williams kicked successful extra points for the first seven touchdowns, with freshman Cole Jackson making the eighth extra point.
Callahan emerged as the leading rusher for Sheridan, with 92 yards in 13 carries.
The Blackhawks continue HHC play next week when they travel to Tri-Central.
Sheridan’s offense was relentless Friday night as the Blackhawks took care of old rival Clinton Central 56-6 at Bud Wright Stadium. Pictured: Nick Burnell (25, far left) takes the ball into the end zone, with linemen Ian Pence (75) and Jesse Kolb (50) on guard. At far right, Gunnar Williams (2) makes a block. (Richie Hall)