Photo By RR Best
Redskins Blake Stewart steps over the goal line for a touchdown in the Homecoming football game between SOV and the Shelbyville Rams on Friday, October 9.

Strong in Second Half

•October 14, 2015•

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Sullivan Okaw Valley football played a second half for the ages Friday but came up just short in a 41-33 loss to the Shelbyville Rams.  Trailing 21-0 at the half the Redskins outscored the Rams 20-13 in the third quarter and 13-7 in the fourth getting within a touchdown of the lead.  SOV head coach Gerald Temples was proud of the effort displayed in the second half and hopes the team can build off the positives going forward.

“First half we did not get after it and play with emotion.  I am proud as heck of how we came back and did play in the second half.  Our kids played their tail off, and we are going to build on that going forward.”

The Rams opened up the game’s scoring after connecting on a 60 yard screen pass, setting up first and goal from the eight yard line.  Two plays later Garret Brachbill’s touchdown run with 1:30 remaining in the first period, gave the Rams a 7-0 lead.

The Redskins marched inside the red zone on their next possession thanks to a 30 catch and run by Ty Nichols but missed a field goal wide left with 11:28 left in the second quarter.

Shelbyville’s next possession was controversial. A pass interference call on fourth and 13 with five minutes remaining in the half gave Shelbyville a new life.   Blake Stewart, who was in step for step coverage with the Ram’s receiver, turned at the last second to deflect the ball away with his off hand in the front left corner of the north end zone.

However, the officials ruled too much contact had taken place even though the ball looked to be uncatchable.

Coach Temples acknowledged that the call was a back breaker at that point in the contest.  “The interference set up a touchdown for them which was a killer at the time. We didn’t think it was pass interference.”      Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.