Shawnee stuns top-seed in D-III

The first play sets the tone as the Braves take a recovered fumble in for a touchdown.

The Goshen quarterback is crushed by Shawnee's Ryan Mayfield (left) and Brad MacLeod during the playoff game Friday, Nov. 6.

Staff photo by Bill Lackey The Goshen quarterback is crushed by Shawnee's Ryan Mayfield (left) and Brad MacLeod during the playoff game Friday, Nov. 6.

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer Updated 1:52 AM Saturday, November 7, 2009

GOSHEN — The Shawnee High School defense only needed one hit to show Goshen what they came to do — hit people in the mouth.

On the first play from scrimmage, the Braves defense smashed Warriors fullback David Prewitt, who fumbled the ball directly into the hands of Eric DeWitt, who scooped the ball and ran 49 yards for a score.

“We got them from the first hit,” said Shawnee coach Rick Meeks. “We hit him hard and he dropped the ball and Eric picked it up and took it to the house. It was a great way to start.”

Eighteen seconds into the game, Shawnee led 7-0. The eighth-seeded Braves would force four more turnovers en route to a 28-7 victory over the top-seeded Warriors in a Division III, Region 12 quarterfinal game at Goshen’s Jim Brown Stadium on Friday, Nov. 6.

“The defense played great again,” Meeks said. “It was a hard-hitting game. They couldn’t do anything offensively, except complete a few passes here and there. Our defense just smacked them right in the mouth.”

The Braves (8-3) advanced to the regional semifinals for second time in five years. They’ll play Circleville Logan Elm (9-2), a 28-12 winner over New Richmond, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 at a site to be determined.

The fumble was a sign of good things to come. On the ensuing kickoff, Goshen (8-3) fumbled again and Shawnee scored six plays later on a 1-yard run by Dan Rohrer.

“We took advantage of it and put it in and scored,” Meeks said.

On Shawnee’s next possession, the offense took over. The Braves drove 95 yards on eight plays, culminating with Steven Sarven’s 42-yard TD run which gave the Braves a 21-0 halftime lead.

Sarven, who had 94 yard on just six carries, added another touchdown run of 58 yards in the third quarter to ice the game for Shawnee.

“He’s a great athlete,” Meeks said. “We can put him at receiver, running back and even quarterback. He’s just very dangerous.”

The Braves allowed just 188 yards of total offense, most of which came in the fourth quarter. They held the Warriors, who had won eight straight games, to their lowest point total since Week 1. Goshen entered the game averaging 30.4 points per outing.

The Braves advanced to the regional finals in 2005.

“We’re trying to go farther than any (Shawnee team) has ever gone,” Meeks said.

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i love my braves<33

:)
9:52 PM, 11/9/2009

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oh well, maybe next year for you NW..how did your JV game go.that can be a sign of the next few years for you against shawnee.um, i think they called the game in the 3rd..not sure, but..yeah..its not looking to good for you..sorry stud..

go Braves
4:12 PM, 11/9/2009

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You guys are lucky Northwestern just had a bad game. We would've murdered the braves. Goshen sucks. GO NW!

YOUR LUCKY
11:47 AM, 11/9/2009

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Looking forward to another great game from the Braves. Awesome season, so glad to be a part of it! Good Luck to all the Shawnee Braves football players, we are proud of you!

BravesFan
11:03 AM, 11/9/2009

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It has been such a wonderful experience watching the Braves play great football. Friday nights game was the best yet this year! The Shawnee fans are some of the best and the players always show such class on and off the field. Congrats to the team and all the coaches on the win over Goshen, we are all looking forward to supporting our Braves again this Friday night! Good luck boys and God Bless. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!

A Proud Braves Fan!
12:13 PM, 11/8/2009

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