Sheridan tops Licking Valley for third straight year
< < Back toTHORNVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) –– For the sixth time in seven years, the Sheridan Generals and the Licking Valley Panthers faced off in Week One. Coming into the matchup, Sheridan had won the last two matchups. Opening the 2023 season, Sheridan took the cake once again with a victory of 33-14 at Paul Culver Jr. Stadium
Starting off, neither offense could move the ball in the first quarter, however in the second both teams found their rhythm.
Sheridan running back Justin Munyan took an inside handoff and scored from three yards out giving the Generals their first points of the season.
Two drives later, the Panthers responded with a rushing touchdown of their own. Running back Trent Markus extended his arms over the pile of linemen for the two-yard touchdown. Following the extra point, the score was tied 7-7.
With two and a half minutes left before halftime, the Generals marched down the field, this time relying heavily on the passing game. Quarterback Caden Sheridan and wide receiver AJ Winders connected three times on the drive, with the final connection resulting in a 14-yard touchdown.
After the extra point, Licking Valley was left with 58 seconds before the half. Panthers wide receiver Jacob Wheeler got over top of the Generals secondary for a 56-yard gain, setting up Licking Valley in the redzone with 9.6 seconds remaining. One play later, Wheeler had his number called yet again for a 16-yard touchdown.
Both teams would head to the locker room tied at 14.
The story of the second half is reminiscent of the 2022 matchup as the Generals would shut out the Panthers en route to a 33-14 victory.
Sheridan quarterback Caden Sheridan finished the game with three touchdowns on the ground and one in the air.
Next week, Sheridan travels to Watkins Memorial and Licking Valley travels heads to Heath for more Friday night football.