Sports
Generals Patrol the Skies in Big Win
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In a huge MVL matchup with playoff implications on the line, Sheridan rolled to a 41-0 victory over New Lexington Friday.
The Generals were on 24/7 sky patrol on both sides of the ball, making big plays in the passing game and forcing New Lexington Quarterback KJ Hook into a miserable night.
Drew Murray only completed three passes – all to Jacob Horsley – but made them count for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter to put Sheridan up by a couple scores.
Hook threw the ball 27 times, but only completed 33% of his passes, overthrowing receivers and making ill-advised decisions in key moments; this was the Panthers’ downfall.
The momentum swung big in favor of Sheridan Late in the second quarter with the Generals up 14-0.
After pass plays to Gerald Spohn of 37 and 20 yards, New Lexington was 8 yards from a score.
On third down, with two yards to go, a controversial encroachment call was missed by officials, which forced the Panthers to call time out.
Two plays later, on fourth and two, Hook was intercepted by Horsley, who returned 95 yards for a touchdown – his third score of the night.
On the Panthers’ next possession, Hook threw another pick-six to Connor Smith.
Just moments after nearly getting back in the game, New Lexington now trailed by four scores and looked deflated.
Hook would throw one more interception – his fourth – with 34 seconds remaining in the half before getting “hooked” in favor of backup Quarterback Alex Bryant.
Bryant finished 11/15 with 126 yards and an interception.
New Lexington actually outgained Sheridan on offense 317-299, but it shot itself in the foot with its five interceptions – four of them were on Sheridan’s side of midfield.
Spohn was open deep a number of times in the first half for the Panthers, but Hook overthrew him often. He did manage to finish with nine receptions for 134 yards.
"Player of the Year" candidate, Mitchell Fouch, had a quiet game with 45 yards on 12 carries.
With this big win, Sheridan (9-1, 7-1 MVL) is likely to secure a playoff spot, and while New Lexington will not make the playoffs, its 7-3 season is an impressive five-game turnaround from a 2-8 campaign one year ago.