Shriner shines, Sheridan overpowers John Glenn
By: Cale Saunders
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NEW CONCORD, Ohio (WOUB) — On a cool, damp evening, all signs pointed to a run-heavy contest between the Sheridan Generals (5-1) and host John Glenn Muskies (3-3). The signs were right, and the Generals took full advantage, running away with a 27-7 victory.
As far as expectations go, this was a big contest for both sides. John Glenn absolutely needed to win this one for playoff qualification, and the loss could be the final nail in their season’s coffin. For Sheridan, they continue to separate from their opponents in the MVL-Big pecking order.
The action opened with Sheridan’s Liam Gutridge kicking off to a modest return from John Glenn’s Jase Ritchey. A drive with a surprisingly even mix of pass and run ended with Ritchey in the endzone on a run from an interesting Wildcat package.
Sheridan didn’t take long to respond. Senior QB Tyce Whiteman hooked up with team-leading receiver Reed Parkison for a long passing touchdown. Parkison ran under it and was brought down inside of the endzone for a statement TD. The Generals weren’t going to be tossed around.
John Glenn opened the second quarter with the ball, but a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage and subsequent interception by Jacob Flaig gave it right back to the Red Rage. A visiting student section, clearly outsizing that of the home section, exploded.
Sophomore back S.J. Shriner, who has become the starter following the loss of senior Logan Russell to injury, put together multiple chunk runs to kickstart the Generals’ drive. However, a Muskie defender would punch the ball out on another Shriner rush, with the Muskies recovering the fumble.
The turnovers would not end there. Carter Merry was intercepted moments later by Sheridan DB TJ Connors. A nice return by Connors would set his Generals up in premium territory.
Shriner would have a chance to redeem himself as his number was called upon following a missed deep connection between Whiteman and Parkison. Coach Paul Culver III continued to show trust in Shriner, and it would pay off with a Shriner score on the ground, putting the score at 14-7 Sheridan going into the tunnel.
After a few halftime adjustments, the Generals returned to the field looking dominant. Shriner rushing touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters proved to be enough.
The defense shut things down, holding the final score at Sheridan 27, John Glenn 7.
Sheridan moves to 6-1 and 3-0 in the conference, while John Glenn falls to 3-4, with a disappointing 1-1 conference record. Moving forward, the Generals gear up for a home tilt with Philo (5-2, 3-0), while the Muskies travel to Maysville (3-4, 0-2). As it gets colder outside, things are only heating up in the MVL-Big Conference race.