Sept. 24, 2012
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Sand Rock socks Section on homecoming, 25-7 By ROY MITCHELL Sand Rock and Section stood toe-to-toe for two quarters. But in the second half, the Wildcats controlled the Lions like they were sissy housecats, winning 25-7 on homecoming. Both teams established drives on their first possessions, but neither scored. Section's offensive attack tallied a trio of quick first downs, powered mostly by rushes between the tackles. After failing to convert on a third-and-4 near midfield, the Lions were finally forced to punt. Sand Rock, too, impressed on its opening possession. But their balanced attack failed to convert on a fourth down deep in Section territory. The two drives ate up the first quarter like Pac Man after a hunger strike. The score remained 0-0 as the teams swapped ends. That's when the defenses stiffened. One Wildcat drive and two Section possessions failed in relatively short order. Then Sand Rock capitalized on a Lion miscue. On a fourth down at midfield, Sand Rock mauled Section's punter in the backfield following a bad snap. The change of possession put the Wildcats in prime position. Seven plays and 41 yards later, sophomore Dustin Chambers barreled off right tackle for the 2-yard touchdown. With 1:37 left in the first half, Sand Rock led 6-0. Despite a quick interception by Chambers and new set of downs for the home team, that score wouldn't change until after Courtney Morgan was crowned homecoming queen. The Sand Rock offense came out of the locker room revived. Before the dapper daddies in the homecoming court could change back into their comfortable clothes, the Wildcats had scored three touchdowns. Sand Rock received the kickoff to start the second half. Five plays later, senior receiver Stethan Chandler nabbed a 32-yard reception for a touchdown. A failed two-point conversion set the score at 12-0 with 9:49 left in the third quarter. It wouldn't stay that way for long. After junior Ethan Jimmerson's interception, the Rock was rolling again. Five plays and 32 yards later, sophomore Austin Chambers scampered around right end. The Wildcats led18-0 with 5:03 left in the third quarter. Section appeared to have found its long, lost offense until freshman Alexander McMahon covered a Lion fumble at the Wildcat 8-yard line. Four plays later, on the first snap of the final quarter, Sand Rock scored again. This time it was junior Zane Farrar who hauled in junior Dylan Mackey's 52-yard pass. Jimmerson connected with the extra point and the Wildcats led 25-0. Mackey would tally 202 yards in the air for the evening. Since the game's opening drive, the most impressive Section student-athlete on the field had been the mascot. Many Sand Rock faithful raised an impressed eyebrow at the kid in the Lion suit who performed back-flip after back-flip after back-flip. He actually had something to flip about with Section's first drive of the fourth quarter. Trent Linderman's 10-yard strike to junior Luke Anderson capped a nine-play, 76-yard scoring drive. Sand Rock coach Russell Jacoway was impressed with his team's depth—and its attitude after last week’s loss. “We're probably putting more people on the field on game night than we ever have since I've been here,” he said. “Our kids came back with a great attitude. It's the best week of practice we've had all year.” |