•September 19, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Rather than the injury bug, the Sullivan-Okaw Valley football team has dealt with the injury monster.
To enter the game against Shelbyville Friday at Victory Field, four SOV game-one starters were on the sidelines.
“We are still pretty banged up right now,” said coach Jeff Myers. “We went into the game down four starters from week one and a quarterback still less than 100 percent from a week two shoulder injury.”
The Rams scored first with just under a minute in the first quarter when Dominick Kimberlin caught a 58-yard pass for a touchdown. The Rams then passed in the extra point for an 8-0 lead
SOV answered when receiver Dominick Kimberlin caught a 58-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Luke Harlin.
The kick failed, leaving the score at 8-6.
Kimberlin finished with 137 yards on three catches.
The Rams ran in two more scores in the second half to extend the lead to 21-6 lead.
The Redskins cut the lead to 21-12 when Luke Vander Burgh returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown with 4:26 left in the quarter. Read More

Photo by Jason Brown:
Knight Billy Fifer (#32) runs the ball in the second quarter against Arcola Friday night.

•September 19, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond football team could not overcome a stilted second quarter against Arcola Friday night in Arthur.
With a 14-point lead to end the first quarter, the Purple Riders took advantage of ALAH miscues to pull away for a 27-0 halftime lead.
“We played three quarters strong, but the 12 minutes in that second quarter were definitely a struggle,” said ALAH head coach Ryan Jefferson. “Couldn’t move the ball on offense, had a snap go over the punter’s head, and gave up another 13 unanswered points in a hurry.”
At that point, after playing such a strong first quarter, Jefferson knew his team just needed to get out of the first half without error so they could keep the score the same until he could make adjustments for the second half.
In the second half, the Knights shutout the Riders and scored within the 5:04 left in the third quarter when Adam Day scored a rushing touchdown, and Aaron Likens kicked the extra point. Read More

•September 12, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

Ryan Jefferson picked up his first win as Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s head football coach on the road against Martinsville Friday night.
In the wet, sloppy conditions, Jefferson expected most teams in the area would have to rely on a ground game.
“We knew going in we would be running the ball most of the night,” said Jefferson. “They did have a hard time slowing our run game. We gained almost 300 yards of offense again but also probably left another 50 to 100 yards and a couple more scores on the field because of a few fumbles.”
Despite that, the Knights’ offense still racked up 33 points, and the defense dominated for its first shutout of the year.
“I’m happy with our offensive production once again, but it’s been the story the last two games,” Jefferson said. “We cannot continue to turn the ball over, especially in our own territory which we have had a bad habit of doing.”
On a fourth down and 10, ALAH scored its first touchdown with 7:49 left in the first period when Brady Borntreger completed a 15-yard touchdown run. Read More