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KINNIKINNICK — As Friday’s game in Kinnikinnick went deeper into the night, Unioto’s interior linemen got stronger.
The unit’s second breath of wind provided a gust of momentum and allowed the Shermans to take control of a one-score ballgame late in the third quarter.
Put simply, they were the difference in a 28-14 win over rival Zane Trace — one that kept Unioto (7-1, 5-0 SVC) perfect in conference play and its hopes of a second consecutive Gold Ball alive and well.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
“This win is huge because we’re late in the season and both teams are coming in at 4-0 in the league,” Unioto coach Matt Hoops said. “On the road, we didn’t play well in the first half. We had a great first drive, but after that, we didn’t play very well. We were down 7-6, but we felt like it was 0-0. Our guys just answered the bell in the second half and dominated the line of scrimmage. That’s what you have to do this late in the year.”
Altogether, the Shermans racked up 328 yards of offense — 191 of which came on the ground. The team’s tailbacks averaged just over five yards per carry and continued to move the chains, picking up 21 first downs.
“Our line was huge in the second half. They got stronger as the night went on,” Hoops said. “That’s what you want. All of them were huge. Some of the stuff they do go unnoticed, but it’s huge in terms of the game’s outcome. I’m just really proud of our guys.”
Tale of the tape
The night couldn’t have started any better for Unioto.
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Shermans embarked on a 6-play, 66-yard scoring drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run from quarterback Isaac Coy to make it 6-0.
Then, on Zane Trace’s first play from scrimmage, Unioto’s Bryce Jarvis pounced on a fumble to give the Tanks excellent field position.
However, that honeymoon-like start didn’t last long.
After ZT’s Aaden Dunn picked off a pass on the very next play, both teams traded punches for much of the first and second quarters. However, with 3:23 left in the first half, the Pioneers broke the scoring plane with a 10-yard touchdown run from Silas Stewart, making it 7-6.
That score stood at halftime and ZT took every bit of momentum into the break.
The Pioneers (4-4, 4-1 SVC) picked up where they left off in the third quarter as Stewart capped a scoring drive with his second touchdown of the night, a three-yard plunge, to make it 14-6.
The Shermans had an answer, though, and it came from Coy.
The sophomore signal caller shook off two first half interceptions and found Jaxon Zickafoose over two defenders for a 32-yard touchdown with 5:37 left in the third.
“He doesn’t have any idea what he’s doing in terms of making a mistake. He’s just a next-play guy,” Hoops said of Coy. “He doesn’t let mistakes affect him and that’s what you want out of your quarterback.”
The Coy-Zickafoose connection not only brought Unioto to within a score at 14-12 — following a failed two-point try — but it also ushered in a game-changing shift of momentum.
The Shermans had awakened and it was evident on their sideline.
“Two years ago here, you felt the momentum shift when Zane Trace made a big play,” Hoops said. “It just happened to be us this year on a great ball and an athletic reception. The momentum definitely shifted, our spirits were lifted and at that point, we knew we were back in it.”
After Unioto’s defense forced a stop, Coy and company went back to work.
With 12 seconds left before the start of the fourth quarter, Coy found Caden Cutright for a 26-yard touchdown strike. It ended a six-play, 56-yard drive and gave the Shermans a 20-14 lead — following a successful two-point try.
On the Pioneers’ next possession, they chose to gamble on a 4th & 1 play from midfield. But the Shermans’ defense was up to the task, forcing a stop and setting the offense up to deliver the knockout punch.
It came on the legs of Cody Braden, and behind a stout offensive line. As Unioto continued to churn out yards on the ground, Braden scored from a yard out at the 6:25 mark to make it 28-14.
Zane Trace never recovered.
“I’m just really proud of all of our guys and the effort they gave. All night long, there was no quit,” Hoops said. “We knew it was going to be that way for 48 minutes.”
Stat book
Braden paced the Shermans’ offense, carrying the ball 27 times for 121 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches for 35 yards to the mix. Coy finished 12-of-16 passing for 137 yards and two scores, Jaxon Zickafoose had four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, and Cutright’s only catch was the 26-yard score.
Defensively, both Jaxon and Judah Zickafoose tallied interceptions while Jarvis recovered a fumble.
The Pioneers were led by Stewart, who tallied 14 rushes for 105 yards and two scores. Brice Johnson had 11 carries for 49 yards, Gunnar McCullough was 8-of-17 passing for 115 yards, and Aaden Dunn also helped out with two interceptions defensively, as well as two catches for 16 yards.
What’s on tap
In Week 9, Zane Trace will attempt to get back in the win column with a trip to Southeastern. Meanwhile, Unioto will try to stay perfect in SVC action, hosting Paint Valley in a marquee matchup.
A win would give the Shermans at least a share of the league crown.
“We’ll watch film and make adjustments on things we need to improve on,” Hoops said. “We’ll continue to build on the things we’re doing well.”
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