Published: September 23, 2008 06:09 pm            

Eagles score early in rout of Shamrocks

Things couldn’t have started much better for the Zionsville Eagles Friday night, Sept. 19.

Coming off a heart-wrenching defeat to Hamilton Southeastern where the Eagles’ mistakes cost them the ballgame, Zionsville was clicking on all cylinders early as the team defeated Westfield 35-7.

“It was really good that we started the way we did because it got a lot more competitive as the game went on,” Zionsville head coach Larry McWhorter said.

Zionsville took control of the opening kickoff and methodically marched on an 11-play, 75 yard drive capped off by a 14-yard touchdown run by senior Carson Cramer. Nine of the Eagles’ plays were on the ground for the drive, setting the tone for the entire half.

The Eagles only threw six passes in the first half, compared to 25 rushing attempts. After a three-and-out by Westfield, Zionsville went right back to work. This time the Eagles only needed four plays to score on a 21-yard pass completion from Melvin Woodard to Gene Barrett.

The Shamrocks fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Eagles made them play just three plays later when Jack Denton became the third different Eagle to score on an 11-yard scamper. With barely more than nine minutes ticked off the clock, the Eagles had a 21-0 lead.

“I was really pleased with the running game early on,” McWhorter said. “That was a focus during the week.”

The two defenses slugged it out the rest of the half with no points being scored. Westfield threatened with just more than a minute remaining, but three straight incomplete passes by Scott Harvey prevented the Shamrocks from scoring.

The yardage stats told the story. Zionsville outgained Westfield 169-70 for the half including a 112-4 margin on the ground. Westfield would only gain 156 yards for the game in comparison to 316 yards (204 on the ground) for Zionsville.

The strong defensive effort continued into the second half for the Eagles. In the third quarter, they were able to sack Harvey three times in a defensive effort that gave up negative one yards in the quarter. They also had an interception by Sean McCloskey.

After the third defensive stop, a poor punt gave Zionsville the ball inside Westfield territory. After a nine yard run, Cramer went 37 yards up the middle to score. The extra point made it 28-0.

To start the fourth quarter Zionsville took all of its starters out of the game and let the little used reserves get their chance on the big stage. Running back Brandt Kidwell made the most of his opportunity, rushing seven times on the first drive of the fourth quarter for the Eagles for 38 yards and a touchdown when he was able to bounce outside and into the right corner of the endzone.

The only question was whether the defense would be able to pitch the shutout. Westfield went on a long four minute drive to basically close the game out, and scored when Harvey found receiver Brandon Thomas in the endzone on fourth down to break up the shutout bid.

Next week the host have Harrison for the Homecoming game. Harrison destroyed Fishers Friday night 41-28.

        

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