Sheridan Generals Survive And Advance
By: Joseph Hennessy
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The Sheridan Generals and Granville Blue Aces traveled to Newark White Field to battle it out in division three playoff football. Generals were able to pull away with a 20-7 win, and it was the defense and solid offensive play from Gridiron Glory Player of the Year Candidate, Ethan Heller, that carried this team.
The defensive attack of the Generals was too much to handle tonight. Led by Owen Loughman, Sheridan was able to disrupt the running attack of Granville all night. As for the passing attack, the anticipation and ball-hawking aggressiveness from sophomore Shay Taylor and Heller caused mistakes for the Aces offense that they couldn’t get back from.
On offense, Heller was efficient. His ability to scramble is always a threat and a fear for most defenses, and tonight he did not make little mistakes that could cause problems for this team. When blitzed, his scrambling allowed for receivers to find open space and if they weren’t open, his athleticism and playmaking traits were able to show. Toe tapping along the sidelines to gain extra yards made a huge impact in tonight’s matchup.
Isaiah Austin also took care of business and had a very consistent game. Handing the ball off instead of scrambling was not a bad thing for this team tonight.
Winning the turnover battle was also very important for both teams and Sheridan was able to win that, 2-0.
Time of possession is incredibly important for playoff football as well. Sheridan finished the game with 62 total plays tonight, allowing the Aces’ offense to stay off the field and let Heller and other Generals take advantage of their opportunities.
Heller ended the game 5/11 with 54 yards and 96 yards on 22 carries.
Austin carried the ball 13 times for 75 yards and found the end-zone twice.
Will Hamilton finished with one touchdown on 57 yards from 16 carries.
As for Granville, senior quarterback Cameron Crouch had little time to make a play throwing the ball and the aggressive defensive line clogged up the lanes for him to make huge impacts running the ball.
Crouch ended the game 19/36 with 170 passing yards and one interception.
Head Coach Justin Buttermore finishes his first season at Granville since leaving Tri-Valley with a 10-2 record.
For Sheridan, they will be going up against the Eastmoor Academy Warriors (11-1) next Friday, November 16. The location is TBD but the kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.