By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
NOBLESVILLE – Guerin Catholic welcomed back alumni and families for what was a combined Homecoming and Senior Night for the Golden Eagles. A full yard of tailgating and pregame festivities set up a great environment. At halftime, seniors Ella Sumski and Luke Ross were named Homecoming Queen and King, respectively.
On the field, it would unfortunately be a night that belonged to the visiting Red Devils, as they found ways to use their speed on the way to a 42-3 win over the host Golden Eagles.
Pike worked quickly and took just two minutes and used four plays to get on the board in the opening drive. Dohnavin Ward ran in from 13 yards for a 7-0 lead.
Guerin’s first drive took them all the way down deep in Pike territory, but they were forced to settle for a 21-yard Nick Wilson field goal to cut it to 7-3.
“I thought our offensive players and coaches had a really good plan and executed it well. That first drive was worthy of more than three points and we’ve got to finish that thing,” said Guerin Catholic head coach Tom Dilley.
“I thought we still had some things that we were able to take advantage of from time to time, but they got some timely stops or we made some untimely mistakes and just kind of bogged us down,” Dilley continued.
The Red Devils added to their lead with Chase Shurn three-yard touchdown run to make it 14-3, which stayed as the halftime score.
To start the third, Pike forced Guerin to punt, setting the visitors up to add to their lead.
On the third play of the drive, running back Bobby Thomas sprinted 40-yards for the score, pushing it to 21-3.
“Our guys aren’t going to give up. Our guys are going to fight, but there’s no excuse for giving up big plays,” added Dilley.
The Golden Eagles had three different opportunities to try and cut into the deficit, but the remaining three series in the third they turned the ball on downs at Pike’s 33 and then their 40, before giving it back at their own 44 late in the third.
To begin the fourth, the Red Devils made a statement. They were faced with a fourth down and five at Guerin’s 31. Quarterback Mychael Lewis found favorite target Kevin Tichenor III for the 31-yard strike, increasing it to 35-3.
Guerin would be forced to punt and Pike took over at midfield.
It didn’t take long for the Red Devils to get into scoring position again. With the ball at the GC three, running back Bobby Thomas took the direct snap in the wildcat formation. He then stepped back and tossed a jump pass to tight end Pierce Collins for a three-yard TD for the final count of 42-3.
“And that’s one way to play it, if you’re a coach and have five minutes left and have a 35-3 lead. One way to play it is that cute little pass on the goal line. They executed it and we didn’t stop it,” Dilley stated on Pike’s final score.
The Golden Eagles are listed in Class 3A as far as enrollment is considered, but they don’t have a single 3A opponent on their schedule. They have one 6A, two 5A, four 4A and two 2A opponents that will help them in preparation for the Class 3A state tournament that starts on Oct. 25.
“We certainly played against a team that’s well coached with good athletes tonight and hopefully it will pay off,” Dilley said on playing a team of Pike’s caliber.
Guerin Catholic’s offense struggled to put together more than one consistent drive. They were without standout wide receiver Hayden Cler for the second straight game. That gave opportunities for others down the depth chart to have passes thrown their way.
Malcolm Houze was on the move all night with the Red Devils’ pass rush flushing him out. Houze was 6 of 17 for 62 yards, including completing three to senior Julian Melendez for 43 yards. Jack Linden ran 11 times for 35 yards, Kolbe Klee 12 for 33 and Aidan Horn four for 40.
Guerin Catholic (3-4) heads to Terre Haute next week and hopes to snap their four-game losing streak at Terre Haute North (2-5). The Patriots were 15-13 winners at home over Southport.
