The Sheridan Generals secure victory on their home turf in a momentous matchup
By: Quinn Elfers
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THORNVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) — The Sheridan Generals defended home turf in a grit-and-grind matchup against the Watkins Warriors. In a game full of fumbles and impeccable defense, the Generals prevailed 17-7 over The Warriors.
From the opening kickoff, this was a game defined by the work in the trenches. Neither team got into the scoring position throughout the quarter. Defense continued to dominate as the quarter would end in a 0-0 stalemate.
Missed opportunities on both sides plagued any scoring chances. A fumble by Sheridan on Watkins’ three-yard line kept the score at zeros.
The poor field position played a huge role in a Watkins three and out. This would lead to a highlight reel play from the General’s Logan Hupp. He returned a punt from 45 yards out to the house while weaving his way through Warrior defenders to put Sheridan on the board first in dramatic fashion 7-0.
On another Warrior fumble, the Generals booted the ball right through the uprights to take a 10-0 lead to end the half.
The Warrior’s offense capitalized on the momentum as John Apel made a highlight reel catch over a defender to cruise into the endzone, igniting the Watkins student section.
This would ultimately lead to nothing as neither team could score for the rest of the quarter, leaving the score at 10-7 Generals.
The beginning of the fourth quarter saw Sheridan putting together another grueling drive led by the running game, leading to the Generals within Watkins 5 5-yard line again. This time Sheridan struck gold behind the arm of Hupp and threw a dart in the back of the endzone to Hayden Henry giving Sheridan a 17-7 lead with time ticking down.
The night would end with Watkins throwing the game-ending interception to Logan Hupp, capping off his incredible night.