09/17/2025
Warning--it;s a long read!!!! But hey....it was Sullivan/Linton... get a snack and a drink... and go the bathroom before starting this journal!
Week 4 Linton 1-2 at Sullivan 2-1
"The War Of 54"
The 113th meeting between these , but also the 100th straight meeting in a row. The Miners come in with 8 wins in a row. Sullivan opened with big wins over North Knox and South Vermillion, then handed their 1st loss to Northview. Linton with a win over Monrovia in between losses to Corbin, KY and Archbishop Alter from Kettering OH. Both high level programs from out of state. Tis always an adventure with this game. This year at Sportland Field in downtown Sullivan.
Miner Open with ball as Sullivan defers. Russell Goodman at Qb, runs on 1st down but is stuffed by Jaden Norris. 2nd had Renn Cottingham trying to get outside but is pushed out of bounds and Linton faces 3rd and 7. Goodman rolls to his left but has pressure immediately from Landyn Simmons, and the it’s Jaden Norris for the QB sack and loss of 14. Oliver’s punt is fair caught at the Arrow 34. The Arrows tried Clark French up the gut, but Paul Oliver stopped his tracks at line of scrimmage. After an offsides call on Linton, QB Blake Framer was off target on a wide receiver screen intended for Xander Freels. Facing 3rd and 5 at their own 39, it was a dive to French, who got a breakaway block from Levi Hollifield that sprung French 61 yards out-running 5 Miners to pay dirt. French’s speed was deceptive and he ran through a couple Miner tacklers, and a third took a poor angle and whiffed on the attempt. Sullivan fans were all frenzy even with the blocked PAT of Cash Murdock by Aiden Fields. It was Sullivan 6-0 at 9:35 1st.
Uriel Juarez Martinez booked the kickoff over Tottenham’s head into the endzone setting Linton up at the 20. Paul Oliver was in the QB spot for his first snap all year. This put Goodman at a wing along with Renn Cottingham. With Cooper Smith still out with a knee problem, this figured to be a power attack. Especially with Corey Andrews at 6’2 250 at TE on every play. Oliver Stephens was the only WR on the field, so the passing game would suffer without Paul to catch passes. As Coach Oliver said in postgame: “If Paul could only throw passes to himself” with a laugh. What followed was a classic Linton Miner drive imposing their will. It ended up being a 14 play 80-yard touchdown drive using 5:56 of time. Linton over came 2 big penalties, and Sullivan had a very costly personal foul that extended the series and led to the score. The drive totaled 5 first downs, with key plays as a 3rd and 11 passes across the middle from Oliver to Andrews for 12 yards. On another 3rd and 11 after a Miner Personal Foul, Cottingham went wide to the right-side following Tate Gamble’s lead for a 19-yard gallop only stopped by Paul Ridgeway. Aiden Sparks lone carry of the series was a powerful run up the gut busting through tacklers to the Arrow 8, a gain of 15. Oliver kept the ball running through 2 Arrows at the goal line for the Miners first score. Russell Goodman bulled through for the 2-point conversion, and Linton was up 8-6 with 3:39 in the opening quarter.
As the Arrows came out for just their 2nd Possession, they had only run 3 plays, used only 57 seconds of clock (Linton with 7:27 thus far) and had 1 first down. Yet, they were down only 2 due to that 3rd play being the 61-yard scamper from French. With good field position at their 43, French was hammered down by Gamble for no gain. Back to back WR screens to Zane Catlin got 9 yards with tackles from Stephens and Gamble. This set up 4th and 1 at Linton’s 48. Coach Caton brought in the power backs with Jaden Norris (6’1 210) Peyton Carlson (6’1 185) and direct snap to 6’3 210 Ty Hamilton. The play busted by a blitzing Corey Andrews who knocked the lineman back into the blocking back which altered Hamilton’s direction. He was swamped by 4 or 5 Red “L”s.. the first being Paul Oliver, with Jimmie Wright and Russell Goodman. Turn-over on Downs giving the Miners back the ball at near mid-field with 1:30 in the 1st quarter.
Linton relied on the rushing game, with two Cottingham runs trying to catch a seam only netted 2 yards on good stops from Norris and Ridgeway. Facing 3rd and 8 Oliver stayed in pocket then saw an opening and headed down field, then moving toward the Arrow sideline where he juked Ridgeway and push ahead for a few more yards, a total 15-yard scramble. 2 plays later and another 3rd and 3. This time it was the power back Aiden Sparks who literally bulled and dragged Arrows to the 11-yard line, a gain of 17. 1st and 10 at the Arrow 11 became 1st and 15 on another procedure call. But Oliver powered for 7 yards to the Arrow 9. Sullivan’s defense stiffened on 2nd and 3rd downs, stopping Goodman back to back setting up a huge 4th down from the 6. They needed to reach the 1 for a new set of downs, but Oliver bounced out to left and ran over Xander Freels at the Goal line for another Miner Touchdown. It was another solid drive with 10 plays 52 yards, 9 of which were running plays and accounted for all the yardage earned. The 2-point conversion pass failed, but the Miners were up 14-6 with 9:07 in the 2nd to go.
One area that was concern going into this game with Sullivan was the potency of the Arrow passing attack. To be honest, the concern was the inexperience we had in our secondary in terms of varsity time. Add to that the loss of Cooper Smith at Safety, and the height advantage players like Ridgeway (6’5)& Hamilton (6’3). Corbin, Monrovia, and Alter had really just run the ball. Linton had only seen 24 pass attempts in those 3 games, with just 11 catches. I figured the Arrows would come our firing away at our young 1st year starters. But, this was week 3, and playing the competition level they have…it’ hard to say they a young and inexperienced at this point.
The first play of their 3rd series, Fraker lofted a pass down the Arrow Sideline for Ridgeway. Here was the height advantage coming to play but blanket coverage by Oliver Stephens. No question Ridgeway makes a terrific catch and stays in bound for a 31-yard gain. However, everyone in the facility could see the push off on Stephens that created the separation and in essence, the reception. In watching the video it is painfully obvious that Ridgeway extended both arms and pushed Stephens away as he had turned to defend the ball. But that’s how it goes. Arrows at the Miner 46 and not giving anything on the ground. They tried French, but he was drilled by Gamble and Andrews. They tried a shuffle pass on 3rd and 7 that was met by Corey for a loss, but a facemask penalty gave Sullivan new life. Now at the Miner 29, Fraker tried to hit Freels at the 18 but was wide on the pass, then it was back to #3 French for 2 runs. The Miner D wrapped the speedster up consecutive plays with Coltyn Andrews and Jacob Bredeweg on the 1st, and Gamble with Tripp Haynes on the latter. 4th and 7 Fraker tried the quick out pass to Freels who made the catch at the 28 and was immediately brought down by Oliver on the spot. The last 2 Arrow drives ending on failed 4th down attempts.
Linton quickly rolled to a first down after runs from Goodman (4) and Gamble (6). Then another procedure call that was followed by an interception by the Arrows. Oliver was forced from the pocket by a heavy rush from Landyn Simmons, but Norris was come from the opposite side. It looked like Paul was going to tuck and run but in this last moment, and in an awkward position he tried to loft a deep pass toward Cottingham who was well covered by Wyatt Epling. The ball was basically up for grabs and Ethan Garrett made a bee-line from across field as all three players dove for the flailing football. Garrett was able to snag the ball before it the ground ending the drive and taking over possession at their own 42 with 4:20 in the half. Sullivan had been going to Catlin on a wide receiver screen all game long with little success, until this drive when Fraker got the ball out to him, and he gained 15 open field yards. With a 1st down in Linton territory at the 43, the ball came to French again. Other than the huge 61-yard TD run he had been held in check. Gamble stuck him on 2nd and 4 for a two-yard loss. Fraker’s pass on 3rd landed between two Arrows and almost picked by Cottingham. Another 4th Down in Linton Territory for Sullivan. They tried to sneak French out from the backfield streaking down the right hash. It might have worked although Coltyn and Paul might have put big hits on French.. they didn’t need to. Corey Andrews was trailing French and able to make a terrific play in knocking the ball out of the air, and Sullivan was now 0-3 on 4th down. Linton’s ball on their own 29 2:57 left in half
Renn Cottingham runs for a sweet gain of 12 on 2nd and 11, and he looks like he’s settling in to that wingback position better each week. Not much happens in this series and a WR screen to Stephens is stuffed by Peyton Carlson, and run from Renn is met by Norris, then Oliver, under heavy pressure heaves another fly ball to center field that went through the hands of the Arrow’s Catlin and incomplete intended for Cottingham who had to play defender on the pass. Paul took a big hit courtesy of Bryce Deckard but he popped back up. Miners would punt into the endzone with only 30 seconds remaining. As we have seen in prior years…Sullivan has a knack for hitting the long pass for scores late in halves. Just last year it was Carson Granby from Paul Ridgeway for a 77-yard TD with 0:32 to go til half. Fraker hit Hamilton for 10 as he and Goodman tussled for possession. A pass for Catlin was well off, and finally the deep pass on the sideline for Ridgeway brought out offensive Pass Interference flag as #10 was obvious in the push of Cottingham. The penalty pushed Sullivan to their 20, and they took a knee to end the half. Linton 14 Sullivan 6
Thoughts at Halftime: Total offenses were close with Linton at 159 Sullivan at 133. But two different ways each team got there. Linton ate up Time of Possession at 15:39 to 8:21. 92 of Sullivan’s 133 yards came on 2 plays. They remaining 21 plays produced 41 yards…just under 2 yard a play. The passing game I was concerned about with Sullivan, was still an obvious threat, but take away 1 deep pass to Ridgeway for 31 yards and the have 7 catches for 35 yards. This meant most of these were short pass plays. I thought the DBs had a good half, particularly Stephens and Cottingham. There was still a half to go though. The Miner offense looked at ease with Paul at QB. Clearly we were going to run the ball, and we did on 80% of our 35 plays in the opening half . Linton had 148 on the ground at half, 5.3 per carry and led by Oliver with 8-49 and 2 TDs. Cottingham added 7-40, Sparks 2-32 Goodman 9-22 and Gamble 2-5. Oliver attempted 9 passes hitting on 2 of them for just 11 yards. Also had pick. Corey Andrews caught a big 3rd down catch of 11 yards… Stephens the other on a screen that got nothing. Sullivan had 67 yards on the ground on 9 carries. Clark French had all of that yardage on 8 carries with the 61-yard TD to his credit. Fraker had the other carry but he managed to get back to line of scrimmage for no gain. Fraker was 8 of 13 passing for 66 yards, 31 of that on 1 reception by Ridgeway . Zane Catlin was the main target with 7, of which he caught 5 for 27 yards. Ty Hamilton with 1 for 10 and Xander Freels 1 for (-2).
Tate Gamble was the defensive name for the 1st Half for Linton He had 6 tackles, 2 for loss, and a hurry. Russell Goodman and Paul Oliver with 3 each, Corey and Coltyn were in on 2 tackles. Corey with 1.5 TFL Oliver with 1. Tripp Haynes got in the mix with .5 TFL. Arrows led by Ridgeway with 8 tackles, Jaden Norris 6 and 1 TFL, Hamilton with 5, Carlson and Catlin with 4 each. The interception was made by Ethan Garrett. Other things; Sullivan yet to reach red zone; and were 0-3 in 4th down attempts—all of which were in Miner territory. Linton was 2-2 on 4th down. Miners doubled Sullivan in 1st downs 10-5
It did not take the Arrows long to light up the home crowd. First play of 2nd half was a hand off to French in a misdirection play that saw a gaping hole that a truck could have driven through. That was in part to Olineman Eli Garrett’s block, and a missed tackle led to a 21-yard gain. It would have gone the distance if not for the effort of Tyler Franklin in chasing the fleet-footed running back down at the Miner 40. Linton held for a 3rd and 13, but the Fraker pass was on the mark to a cutting Ridgeway at the Miner 25, and he broke 3 tackles enroute to an Arrow score. Just 1:42 into the 3rd Quarter. French looked to be stopped on the 2-point play, but he surged forward and into the endzone to tie the game at 14.
These are times you find our what you are made of. It’s also times like this you know you’ve been in these conditions before. Linton took over at their own 32 with all of Sullivan screaming for defense. Linton ran off 10 running plays. 4 different backs carried, five offensive linemen and a tight end, not to forget Stephens are WR. Oliver had a 12-yard run on 2nd and 7. Cottingham 8 then Sparks for 4 and a first down. Goodman ran for 6 to set up 3rd and 3 where Oliver churned for 6 more. Next up was Cottingham against with a nice cut, kicking on the jets for 22 yards to the Arrow 5. That play featured a great seal block from Chris Lyons, and just enough of shield by Stephens created that seam that Renn sped through. 2 plays later Oliver went straight into the pile having Goodman and Sparks behind him. Miner Touchdown. Cottingham ran in the 2-point play put the Miners up 22-14 5:39 in 3rd. Linton had gone 68 yards in 10 plays using 4:39.
Would Sullivan respond? Instead it was the Miner D that rose up. Tate Gamble with a hit on Carlson that lost 2 on first down. Oliver Stephens knocked down a laser shot from Fraker intended for Ethan Garrett, then Aiden Sparks bulled through a double team to get the Fraker for 7-yard QB sack. Hamilton punted for the Arrows, but Harrison James returned it 23 yards to the Linton 45 with 4:14 in 3rd. Linton sensing blood now, just does what they do until it can be stopped. Once again it’s the ground n pound game. Gamble, Goodman, Oliver and Sparks on this drive. Oliver converts a 3rd and 3 at midfield, Goodman with an 11-yard run in mix. Sparks gives the Miners a 1st down at the 20 with a 5-yard plunge. It’s Goodman’s turn to taste pay dirt. He bounces off a tackler and heads the corner of the endzone out-running tired Arrows for a score just before the quarter ends. It has to be special for Russell, who has been at the QB slot the first three weeks facing the defenses of Corbin and Archbishop Alter in particular. He’s played WB, QB and FB in his 4 years as Miner. The 2-point play fails but the Miners feel good 28-14 going into the 4th quarter.
BLAM!... Just like that. All the momentum in the world is wearing red…then in 17 seconds it changed to purple. 1st play from scrimmage iss a simple hand off to Clark French again. Seemingly defended well, but boom out of the pack he goes right up the middle of the field untouched. 63 more yards to his night’s resume. Looking at the play, there were great blocks by the Arrow lineman. One big missed tackle in secondary, but to his defense…French is super quick and would be very hard to get hold of in the open field. He now had TD carries of 61 and 63 and single handedly was keeping Sullivan in this game. The PAT was good and with still 23 seconds to go til the end of 3, it was now Linton 28 Sullivan 21
Once again the dramatics were at high level. Purple n Gold begging for defense and to get the ball back, Red n Blue across the field lining the fences yelling for the Miners to do what Miners had done… grind it out, eat up the clock and hopefully score. Starting from their own 23, Paul Oliver with a QB keeper behind pulling Chris Lyons, pops through a hole and levels Ridgeway before William Hollifield makes the stop, for a gain of 8. Paul for 3 on the next play to move the chains, but Cottingham was clotheslined by Leve Hollifield for a loss of 5. Amazed that Renn held on to the ball. Oliver again was gaining strength as he went for 9 up to the Miner 40, but it was 3rd and 4. Cottingham to the left tried to get to the boundary but great Arrow team defense lead by Eli Garrett stop him three yards thy.
Big decision time. In my now 26 years of covering Miner football, I’ve come to understand the logic used by coaches in these very situations. It’s 4th and 3 at your own 41. Not 4th and 1 or inches… it’s 3 yards. Everyone and their cousin figure it’s going to be #13 on a keeper just looking for his spot. Coach figures the line has been pushing people back, and the RB’s have been able to make positive yards with over 5 yards per carry. I also know it’s a source of pride in Miner Land. To live or die by the rushing game has long been a Miner staple; when the game is on the line you go with what you preach. On the opposite side, it doesn’t mean you will succeed, and in this case giving the Arrows the ball…and the momentum, in Miner Territory with the weapons Sullivan has would be rolling serious dice. I have to think that having a 7-point lead made the decision easier for Coach Oliver…but post-game he laughed and said had it failed he would have “Just heading to the bus”!. So here is was; 4th and 3 from the Miner 41. 4th quarter under 10 to go. Dresden Kenworthy with another perfect snap to the shotgun QB Oliver. Goodman in motion left wing heading right. Sparks to Oliver’s side. They all go the the right, but will Paul pitch at the last minute to Russell? Ahh he abruptly pushes to his left following a solid block from Sparks on an linebacker, and Lyons is leading into the hole. Backside blocking from Scharbrough, Franklin and Wright seal off the path but a nice play from Ridgeway at Safety and Hollifield at Linebacker. They both hit Paul at the 42 but Oliver keeps moving forward even as Simmons joins the fray. With a final push Paul and pile wind up just shy of the 45. They needed the 44. There was no measurement needed. 1st and 10 Linton.
Sullivan’s D still put up resistance. They got a sack on the next play as Oliver looked to pass but was forced out of pocket on heavy rush from Ty Hamilton. He nearly broke free but a jersey pulldown Hamilton, and really friendly fire as Franklin was dealing with Simmons and made contact with Paul. It was just a loss of 1. Hamilton was key again on a four-yard loss dealt to Goodman, then yet another Miner Procedure call make it 3rd and 20 with plenty of time in the 4th. This was a chance for Sullivan to get off the field although I suspect this would have been 4 down territory. From the Miner 35. Paul faked handoff to Sparks and shuffled to his left and scan his options. William Hollifield looked to be spying as he stayed back in case Oliver would spring out. Pressure came from his right from Levi Hollifield but Paul stood this ground. Corey Andrews had released from TE and was down the left hash but well covered, as was Cottingham across the middle right to left. Suddenly popping in the the right hash was Oliver Stephens who had gotten a couple steps ahead of the defender Xander Freels, It appeared the Safety bit over to the TE Andrew because there was no help deep. All that was needed was a perfect touch pass to hit Stephens in stride…. Which is exactly what Paul delivered. Stephens made the catch to simultaneous cheers from one side of the field, to gasps of despair on the home side. The only thing was that Stephens seemed to stub his foot in making the catch and he fell forward to the Sullivan 30. Most likely Oliver would have taken it to the house. As it thought, it was almost a back-breaker. Oliver Stephens had made the biggest play of his Miner history to date with a 35 yard catch and run to put Linton at 1st and 10.
Still the Arrows put up a fight to keep it a one score game. 3 consecutive runs were stuffed by Hamilton,W.Hollifield, Carlson and both Garretts (Ethan and Eli). Once more the Miners were facing 4th and 4, this time at the Arrow 24 just under 6:00. Still Sullivan had a chance should they make a stop. With their lightning in a bottle offense a quick score could happen in a flash. We’d already seen it happen in all 3 Arrows scores. The other consideration was a field goal to push the lead to 2 scores…but Dylanne Deischer isn’t on the sidelines… nor Jace Elmore, Luke Wilson, or Nathan Frady… and it would be a 41-yard attempt at that. So… you knew what was coming. Goodman in motion but this time in front of Oliver and ends up next to Sparks on the right side. Kenworthy snaps to Paul who immediately tucks the ball and follows Sparky and Goodman into the Arrow line. 1st this I see the right guard Jimmie Wright collapse the Nose Tackles, and Blake Scharbrough come down on the LB, but the key was Corey Andrews from Tight End slam the DT to his knees. Goodman has a body on the OLB, Cottingham and Chris Lyons provide a wall for Oliver and he see’s the seam open op like a tunnel. Scharbrough has moved on up on the safety for even more space. Paul then kicks in the jets and heads to his left and straight to pay dirt untouched. It’s a thing of beauty. I can still see Zane Hayden, Mitch Eberhardt, and of course Jesse Voigtschild do it many times. He’s Gone. 24 yards and puts Linton up 36-21 at 5:43. Then Oliver pushes across the 2-point play to up the game to 38-21 Linton. This is what Linton is made of. 17 plays 77 yards 6:40 with the game on the line in a hostile environment. Hey converted two 4th down in the process, but it was a 3rd and 20 pass, the only pass Linton attempted in the whole 2nd half, that possibly kept that drive alive.
Sullivan’s 9th possession resulted in their 3rd 3 and out, and wasn’t helped with a snap that went through Blake Fraker’s hands. Looked like center Adam McKinley’s snap was ok, just that Fraker looked away just at the moment of the snap. It resulted in a 14-yard loss. A pass in the flats to Norris was incomplete, and Hamilton punted away to the Miner 23 with 4:14 left. Some wondered why they would kick down 3 scores with time becoming a factor, but it was 4th and 22. Plus in this long history between Miners and Arrows, crazy things have occurred late in these battles. The Miners now with a chance to slam the door. Sparks had another bruising interior run of 7 to set up 3rd and 2 from the Miner 31. We’d seen Sullivan’s Clark French break loose twice for long 60+ yard runs in this game, but this time it was #13 in white. He made a brilliant cut and eluding a dead-on tackle attempt that left Hamilton empty handed, and then Catlin whiffed and they both watched as Paul rolled 69 yards to the house from TD #5 from the senior. A freeze frame shows excellent seal blocks from both Kenworthy and Wright, with Cottingham and Sparks leading the way. The 2-point play was stopped but Linton could safely tuck this game in the Win column up 42-21 and only 2:58 remaining. I have to make note of a big hit by Coltyn Andrews on the kickoff return from Freels. Freels looked to just be on the fringe of breaking free when freshman Andrews came across the field and lowered the boom on #2 on the sideline at the Sullivan 41.
Give Sullivan credit, they didn’t quit. The offense wanted to move the ball and at least finish with something positive. Fraker converted a 3rd and 11 with a 17 pass and run to Catlin to the Miner 43. After trying twice to hit the 6’5” Ridgeway down either sideline they faced 3rd and 15. Both Stephens and Cottingham were in perfect coverage and in both cases broke up the catch deep in Miner red zone. French had been a thorn all night for Linton to contain, and he leapt over a defender on the ground and accelerated for 8 yards before the Andrews brothers brought him down. 4th and 10 finally saw the Fraker/Ridgeway connection and Fraker lofted a high pass to where both Ridgeway and Cottingham were engaged in full stride. This time the throw was spot on and the leaping height of #10 was too much. It was a terrific throw and catch at the Miner 8 and ended up at the 3. Still the Miner D did not want to give up any more points French was dropped losing 2 on a text book play from ‘the Menace’, Corey Andrews. Stephens stopped a high pass to the corner for Hamilton, then it was Cottingham knocking ball away on a pass for Ridgeway in the endzone. Finally on 4th and goal, Fraker hit Ridgeway across the middle of the endzone for a 5-yard TD pass. The PAT was good from Murdock, and the score Linton 42 Sullivan 28 with only 1 second in the game. Cottingham took a knee on the kickoff and that was it Linton’s 9th win in a row over Sullivan.
Linton won this game on grit, and on the line with Dresden Kenworthy, Chris Lyons, Jimmie K Wright,
Tyler Franklin, Tanner Scharbrough and Corey Andrews, they created the space for 395 yards on the ground! 6.48 per carry and 6 rushing TDs. 11 rushing plays over 10 yards, and another 4 over 20. It’s also the reason for the fact that in the 2nd half Linton had 4 possessions all end in Touchdowns. 10 Plays/68 Yards (4:40), 8 Plays/55 Yards (3:22), 13 Plays/77 Yards (6:40), 3 Plays/77 Yards (1:16). You like the 69-yard Oliver run, but you love those 10 play drive the suck the life from a team’s defense, sideline and fan base. The Miners scored on 6 of 9 possessions, and were 4 for 4 in the red zone. 3 for 3 in key 4th down moments, with a 23-10 first down advantage, and a very telling 31:36 to 16:26 time of possession number (69 plays for Linton, 45 for Sullivan). Miner had 23 pancake blocks to Sullivan’s 13. Tanner Scharbrough with 6; Lyons Wright and Franklin with 4 each, Andrews with 3 and Kenworthy and Gamble 1 each. Sullivan was led by 5 from Adam McKinley, 3 from Levi Hollifield, 2 from his brother William, 1 each from Bryce Deckard, Ty Hamilton and Logan Tucker. Pancakes are any block that gets the defender on the ground, but a good block that leads to a big play is as good as the classic pancake block. As we saw Friday, seal blocks and WR/RB’s downfield shielding can be just as effective.
Of course, the Miners carrying the ball have something to do with all those 395 rushing yards as well. Paul Oliver to this point had not carried the ball, other that a fake punt that got him 4 yards. Add 196 yards to that total after Friday night. He carried 20 times for a 9.8 per carry average, scoring 5 times plus adding a 2-point conversion. His total point tally was 32 which ties him with another all-time Miner great Ethan Brewer who also had 5 TDs and a 2 conversion in 2006 against North Knox. Stellar games from Renn Cottingham with 13 carries 71 yards, as well as Russell Goodman with 18 carries 70 yards and a TD. Aiden Sparks once again had key carries for the hard yards with 6 for 46, and Tate Gamble getting 4 carries for 12 yards. Linton didn’t need the air game this week, but it provided key plays in key moments. Paul was 3 of 8 for 46 yards. 2 of those to Oliver Stephens for 35 yards, and a key 3rd and 20 conversion late in contest. The other was to Corey Andrews for 11, and another huge 3rd down conversion early in the game. Another key stat is what I call Scramble Yards. One thing with Oliver at QB, is the run option he possesses. He had 2 scrambles for 20 yards in this game..
Tate Gamble made a name for himself with 12 tackles, 3.5 for loss and a hurry. Teams definitely focus on Corey Andrews at ILB, and I think it puts the pressure on the other ILB to make plays. Jimmie Wright was in different places all night on defensive side. I saw him at DT, NT and his normal ILB. Corey was still a threat defensively with 5 tackles 3 of those for loss and a hurry, while younger brother Coltyn had 6 total. 3 tackles each from Russell Goodman, Paul Oliver, Tyler Franklin, Aiden Sparks, Renn Cottingham and Oliver Stephens. Jacob Bredeweg and Harrison James each with 2, Chris Lyons, Tripp Haynes and Ivan Montgomery in the with 1 each. Gamble led the TFL with 3.5 Cy. Andrews wit 3, Sparks with 3 including the only sack of Fraker, Oliver with 1, and Haynes with 0.5. The DB’s were a busy bunch as well as the LB unit with the Arrow passing game. Stephens had 3 PBs, Cottingham and Cy. Andrews 1 each. A great job for a young group with Cooper Smith still out with an injury. Harrison James and Coltyn Andrews along with Cottingham and Stephens.
Sullivan had a huge night from Clark French with 163 yards on 15 carries with 2 TDs. His two TD runs of 61 and 63 kept the Arrows in the game. He was the rushing game for Sullivan as Fraker had (-7) on 2 carries including a QB sack losing 7 , Peyton Carlson’s 2 carries went (-4) and Ty Hamilton had a 4th down run go nowhere for 0 yards. Total was 138 yards on 21 attempts. Take away the two long runs from French, and he had 13 -39, 3.0/carry avg. Fraker put up 24 passes hitting 13 for 162 yards. 116 of those yards were to Paul Ridgeway on 4 catches with 2 TD. Zane Catlin was busy with 7 catches for 38 yards, Hamilton 1-10 Freels 1- (-2). Yards after catch figured big for Sullivan with 52 for Catlin, 32 for Ridgeway. 3 Arrows had double figure tackles: William Hollifield with 13, Jaden Norris -12, and Paul Ridgeway with 11. Carlson added 9,with 8 each from Hamilton, Catlin and Simmons. Deckard with 7. 6 TFL for the team, with Norris 1.5, 1 each for Hollifield, Carlson, Hamilton and Hollifield. Jake WIble with 0.5. Ethan Garrett had the lone interception on the night.
Big win for the Miners after playing a tough opening 3 weeks, we saw the Miners calm and workman like. I think a lot of folks wondered if Oliver would be at QB at all this year, but it appears to be a welcome change. Goodman had to face the likes of Corbin and Archbishop Alter in 2 of those 3 weeks, and I doubt any change would have any affect on those games. Russell adds power and surprising speed to the WB spot and can catch a pass. With Paul at QB the Run/Pass possibilities on every snap can put a defense in a bad spot. With Renn developing into a dependable option we are seeing Cottingham rise for the moment. Confidence in the passing game with Stephens, Andrews and hopefully others will expand the offense in the coming weeks. Defensively, I think one of French’s long TD runs we had 3 missed tackles to get him down. Other than a play here or there, the D has been solid. The D Backs were tested against Sullivan and held their ground, but we know Boonville will pass, as will others.
So it’s back to .500 at 2-2. Things don’t get any easier with Boonville coming up. Composure is a great strength to have, and The Miners have that. Many of these young men had been starters and been through the fire of big games during their playing years. Coaches are constantly looking at ways to improve, shifting players to utilize the best 11 at any time and put the most effective in spots to be the most effective. Very few times have I seen the opening day lineup be the same as game nine. The Middle of the season is also the time for the aches and pains to be a constant thing. 2 very tough opponents on deck with the Pioneers and North Decatur on horizon. Go Miners!
