For the first time in a decade, the Sheridan football team is starting its season 1-0.
The Blackhawks had been frustrated by their longtime opening-week opponent, Western Boone. The Class 2A No. 1 Stars had beaten Sheridan nine times in a row, but the 10th would be the charm: The ‘Hawks denied WeBo a two-point conversion try with under a minute remaining, and Sheridan held on for a 21-20 victory Friday at Bud Wright Stadium.
It was the first win for the Blackhawks over the Stars since 2010, and it came in front of a capacity crowd. The victory came in sight for Sheridan in the fourth quarter, when they scored with 7:04 remaining to take a 21-14 lead.
In the Blackhawks’ only pass attempt of the game, Cale Cummings caught a 34-yard pass from Silas DeVaney to put his team on top. Cameron Hovey then made a two-point conversion run to give Sheridan a seven-point lead.
Western Boone scored with 31 seconds to go, cutting that lead to 21-20. The Stars went for two, running up the middle, but a group of Sheridan defenders were there to stop the run.
The Blackhawks’ defense made a statement at the beginning of the game when Gabe Holler made a fierce tackle that resulted in Western Boone gaining no yards. Then, Sheridan scored the first points of the game, with Hovey making a two-yard touchdown run in the middle part of the first quarter. Hovey followed that up with an extra-point kick.
WeBo tied the game at 7-7 in the second quarter, and that would stand as the halftime score. Hovey made a four-yard touchdown run just before the midpoint of the third period, and the ‘Hawks led 13-7 after three.
Hovey rushed for 111 yards in the game, with DeVaney gaining 63 yards on the ground. Peyton Cross helped out the Blackhawks with 62 rushing yards.
After the game, Sheridan coach Bud Wright told his team to stay focused after beating the two-time defending 2A state champions. The ‘Hawks have another big game coming up: They travel to old rival Clinton Central next Friday in what is also their first Hoosier Heartland Conference game of the season.
SHERIDAN 21, WESTERN BOONE 20
Score by Quarters
Western Boone 0 7 0 13 – 20
Sheridan 7 0 6 8 – 21
Team Stats WB SHS
First Downs 13 15
By Rush 11 13
By Pass 2 1
By Penalty 0 1
Rushes-Yards 44-164 47-236
Yards Passing 85 34
Comp-Att-Int-TD 2-8-0-1 1-1-0-1
Fumbles-Lost 4-0 1-0
Penalties-Yards 2-20 3-15
Punts-Average 2-40.0 1-33.0
Sheridan Scoring
First Quarter
3:40 – Cameron Hovey 2-yard run (Hovey kick)
Third Quarter
7:26 – Hovey 4-yard run (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
7:04 – Cale Cummings 34-yard pass from Silas DeVaney (Hovey run)
Sheridan individual stats
Rushing: Hovey 18-111, DeVaney 18-63, Peyton Cross 11-62.
Passing: DeVaney 1-1-34.
Receiving: Cummings 1-34.
Cale Cummings catches a touchdown pass that gave Sheridan the lead in the fourth quarter. Blackhawks coach Bud Wright noticed that the Western Boone defense was keying on running back Cameron Hovey; that opened Cummings up for the score. (Kirk Green)