Generals Stampede Tornadoes Despite First Quarter Deficit
By: Dylan Theisen
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The struggling West Muskingum Tornadoes blew away expectations in the first quarter with an impressive performance, as they stormed into Sheridan on Homecoming night. However, the Generals were able to charge ahead and claim a brutal victory, 56-18.
Various miscues defined each team’s opening drives, starting from play one with an interception from Tornado quarterback Harley Hopkins. However, a wave of penalties stopped the Generals from gaining any momentum – including an offensive pass interference, and a block in the back that nullified a 75-yard punt return from senior Alec Ogle. Each team drew four penalties in the first quarter alone.
Things heated up halfway through the opening quarter when Sheridan took the ball 70 yards over seven plays, putting the Generals on the board. On the following possession, a Tornado fumble was returned by linebacker Jared Elson, and in just minutes, Sheridan had secured a 14-0 lead.
West Muskingum may have been down, but they certainly were not out. The Tornadoes struck back with a screen to tight end Landon Murrey that went for 79 yards and six points. Moreover, West Muskingum pulled off a stunning onside kick to secure excellent field position. As the first quarter neared its conclusion, roars echoed from the visiting bleachers, a storm brewing for the Tornadoes.
However, West Muskingum had reached their peak. With the ball in Sheridan’s red zone, the Tornadoes failed to produce with a three-yard loss and three incompletions – resulting in a turnover on downs, and ultimately, the beginning of the Generals’ reign.
Of the following five possessions, Sheridan found the end zone on the first play four times. West Muskingum was unable to retaliate with only 78 yards of offense, two punts, and an interception in the second quarter. At the half, Sheridan had a commanding 42-6 lead.
Coming out of the locker room, the Generals’ maintained their momentum and scored twice more in the third quarter. Quarterback Nathan Johnson was first-in-command tonight, throwing six completions for 178 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Generals to victory.
Sheridan saw contributions from a variety of players in both the rushing and receiving games. The team found 349 yards on the ground, 86 of which belonging to sophomore Jason Munyan. In the air, junior Shay Taylor contributed a team-leading 98 yards and two touchdowns.
On the contrary, while West Muskingum ran more than twice as many plays, the Tornadoes accumulated only 32 rushing yards and 307 passing yards. The Tornadoes’ receiving unit was highlighted by Murrey, a reliable set of hands that picked up 119 yards and a touchdown.
Next week, the Generals travel to Philo in hopes of maintaining their four-game winning streak. As for the Tornadoes, they will try to regain their groove as they welcome John Glenn into West Muskingum.