By CRAIG ADKINS
The Sheridan Blackhawks got things going on the ground right away and didn’t shy away from their trusty rushing game with a steady diet of Joe Callahan right into the Cougar defense.
The senior tailback made a great showing in his final regular season home game by scoring three touchdowns on the ground, not to mention, being crowned Homecoming King at halftime, in Sheridan’s blowout win over South Decatur, 55-13 on Friday night.
Callahan got the Class 1A No. 6 Blackhawks on the scoreboard quick on their first possession of the game with a 37 yard jaunt to the end zone.
“Joey’s a pretty good ball player and Homecoming, he was hyped for it and he came out firing,” said Sheridan head coach Bud Wright on Joe Callahan.
The Blackhawk “D” forced the Cougars to punt, bringing the offense back out. Gunnar Williams found himself in the open field and scored from 39 yards away to put Sheridan up 14-0 after one quarter.
Drake Delph and the offense were driving again trying to put more points on the board, but Delph’s pass deep in Cougar territory was intercepted by Brogan Howard of South Decatur. But, the Cougars weren’t able to take advantage and punted the ball away again.
Delph got another chance with his arm on the ensuing drive and completed the first play to Brody Perry on a beautiful 38-yard connection. On the next play, Callahan waltzed across the goal line for a six-yard TD.
“We wanted to work on our passing game a little bit. We haven’t thrown the ball that much lately and one of the goals was to work on the passing game, try to get better for the tournament and get things ready,” Wright on Sheridan opening up its passing game at the right times Friday night.
“After it was kind of a slow start, Drake started to settle down. He was throwing the ball high early, then he settled down and started throwing the ball, doing a nice job,” said Bud Wright of his veteran junior quarterback’s passing game.
Perry snagged another great ball from Delph, this time from 24 yards for a touchdown and the rout was on, Sheridan now up 27-0.
Ange Gnamkey picked off a Kordell Meadows pass and ran down the far sideline for an interception return touchdown that would make it 34-0.
Sheridan took over on South Decatur’s 25 and, like clockwork, found a way to score again. Delph went to the air again and this time Gnamkey scored on the offensive end, hauling in a 25-yard touchdown pass for a 41-0 Blackhawk lead at halftime.
After an interception of Kordell Meadows by Gunnar Williams, Joe Callahan found the end zone for the third time on the night, this time from 12 yards.
Being forced to punt for the seventh time, Bryce Murphy’s punt would be blocked by Tanner Swindle and recovered at the South Decatur 39, putting the Blackhawks in position to score.
Brody Perry then scored his second TD of the game on a short slant for a one-yard touchdown pass that would give Sheridan a 55-0 lopsided lead.
South Decatur was able to score on a couple opportunities late in the game. The first came following a fumble by Cameron Hovey that was recovered by Devon Martin for a fumble return TD.
Kenny Meadows would get the Cougars one more score with a one-yard scamper for the final count of 55-13.
The bright spot for South Decatur offensively was Tucker Bushhorn catching four passes for 100 yards and Jacobi Shook carrying four times for 41 yards.
Joe Callahan finished the night with ease, gaining 211 yards on just 18 carries and three TD’s. Brody Perry had a great night receiving with 65 yards on four receptions, two of those for touchdowns. Drake Delph went 7-for-10 for 108 yards and a pair of TD passes.
South Decatur (4-5) heads to Edinburgh (0-9) in the first round of Class 1A Sectional 46 action. The Cougars beat Edinburgh 46-22 in Week 5.
Sheridan (7-2) will host Tri-Central (4-5) next week in Class 1A Sectional 44 play. The Blackhawks won the regular season meeting 28-6 in Sharpsville back in Week 3.
Sheridan coach Bud Wright talks with Cole Cummings (12) during the Blackhawks’ game with South Decatur on Friday. Also pictured is Jarman Warren (11).
(Kent Graham)