Shawnee finally beats Central in football opener

Shawnee ends Catholic Central’s four-year season-opening stanglehold.

Shawnee's Nick Hines (right) bats away a pass intended for Catholic Central's Pat Sheehan on Friday, Aug. 28, at Hallinean Field. The Braves held on for a 14-7 nonconference victory over their archrivals. Contributed photo by Randy Hilt

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Photos: Catholic Central vs. Shawnee

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By Brian Plasters, Staff Writer Updated 12:38 PM Saturday, August 29, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — The pile of Braves in the middle of Hallinean Field signified a happy Shawnee High School football team.

The numbers show why.

A 14-7 win ended the Braves’ four-year losing streak to Catholic Central High School on Friday, Aug. 28. It was the Braves’ fourth win against the Fighting Irish in 11 years and third win at Hallinean in the past 22.

“It’s a monkey off my back,” a relieved Rick Meeks, Shawnee’s head coach, said. “It’s always a black eye to Shawnee when we lose to them. ... But they’re a doggone good football team.”

The Springfield News-Sun Game of the Week started late because of a lightning delay, then was pushed back further in the third quarter when two banks of lights went out.

The delays didn’t seem to bother the Braves’ defense — they limited the Fighting Irish (0-1) to 11 net rushing yards. Central quarterback Brian Kelly passed for 169 yards, but he was sacked four times.

Defensive lineman Jared Easterday had two of those sacks, and tied Lucas Sparks with a team-high 6½ tackles.

“The name of the game is pressure,” Easterday said. “We had to keep (Kelly) from spreading out and keep the pressure on him all night.”

Shawnee also caused two turnovers when Kelly threw a pick to Brad MacLeod in the first quarter and a fumble on the final play of the game.

MacLeod’s pick set up Shawnee’s (1-0) first score, a 2-yard run from Dan Rohrer.

Catholic Central answered with a 16-play drive, and Kelly scored on a 1-yard plunge.

Shawnee took the lead on its first possession of the second half when Evan Storts scored on a 9-yard run.

The Irish had one final chance to tie it after stopping Shawnee on downs on the 10-yard line with 4:28 left. The drive ended as time ran out.

“(Shawnee) played a nice brand of smashmouth ball,” Catholic Central head coach Steve DeWitt said. “I like that stand we made at the end. We just left ourselves a little bit short.”

Shawnee’s Kris Hanaway rushed for a game-high 75 yards. Catholic Central’s Jake Aldridge had five catches for 74 yards.

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