Sports
QB Sheridan Leads Philo Over First Place Generals
By: Eric Singer
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The Sheridan Generals could not establish the ground game Friday, as conference foe Philo ran away with a 28-7 victory at Sam Hatfield Stadium.
Sheridan dominated on the ground to come away with crucial victory against the Maysville Panthers in week five, but that element was missing from the Generals’ offense in week six. Instead, Philo managed to win the battle in the trenches.
In the first half, the Electrics’ defense forced Sheridan into five three-and-outs on seven drives. The Generals picked up only one first down before halftime and averaged a mere three yards per play.
“In the MVL, you have to stop teams from running the football,” Philo coach Dirk Lincicome said. “So that’s always our game plan first is to stop the teams from running, and to make them execute by throwing the ball, which is a lot harder.
Philo (6-1, 4-1) also has the benefit of Gridiron Glory Player of the Year candidate Zak Sheridan running its offense; he could not be contained by the Generals’ defense, accounting for all four Philo touchdowns.
Sheridan ran all over the Generals (5-2, 4-1) in the first half, compiling 104 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns.
“He’s our leader, and one of our most humble players, and one of our hardest workers,” Lincicome said. “I think success comes to those who deserve it, and he deserves it.”
Just four minutes in to the first quarter, Sheridan called his own number on a 22-yard scramble for his first touchdown of the nigh, putting the Electrics up 7-0 early.
Sheridan ran to the painted grass twice more in the second quarter. He scored on runs of 44 and 13 yards to give Philo a 21-0 advantage heading into the locker room.
Midway through the third quarter, Sheridan and the Electrics broke the game wide open when the quarterback found Hunter Smith down the sideline. Smith sped away from the defense and went 61 yards to the house for Philo’s fourth touchdown.
“I think we have a good football team, but it takes games like this to prove that,” Lincicome said. “Our quarterback made some unbelievable plays, and I’m just lucky we have talented players.”
The Generals did finally get on the board with three minutes left in the game. Quarterback Luke Fox capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nick Thomas to achieve the final score, 28-7.
Sheridan falls into a second-place tie with Philo at 4-1 in MVL games. The Generals have a tough bounce-back matchup at home with league-leader Tri-Valley (5-2, 5-0) Friday, Oct. 18.
Philo travels to New Lexington to take on the 4-3 (2-3 MVL) Panthers.
“I hope they stay focused, I hope they stay healthy, and I hope they have fun,” Lincicome said.