Warriors tame Wildcats, 18-7 years ago
Peabody-Burns High School Warrior football team used strong defense to claim an 18-7 homecoming victory Friday against Moundridge.
The league match-up started with PBHS on defense. Micah Hilliard, Todd Woodruff, Nick Abramowich, Nathan Bishop, Eric Dutton, Trevor Hamm, and Ryan Johnson all made stops to put the ball in the hands of the Warrior offense.
Starting at their own 19-yard line, the Warriors' first offensive series included runs by Woodruff, Hamm, and also passes from Woodruff to Benson. The drive stalled at the Wildcat 34-yard line with a Warrior punt.
Each team had the ball once more in the first quarter, but neither team found the end zone, and the score was tied at zero when the whistle blew.
A muffed field goal attempt by the Wildcats set up the first scoring drive for the Warriors with five minutes left in the first half. A big first-down carry by Woodruff moved the ball from the Warrior 16-yard line to the Wildcat 47-yard line.
A completed pass from Woodruff to Benson moved the sticks to the Wildcat 25. On third-and-nine, Woodruff hooked up with Hilliard to put six on the board. The PAT failed and the Warriors took the lead 6-0 with 2:35 left in the half.
The Warrior defense held the Wildcats scoreless the rest of the way. Tackles in the first half were made by Woodruff, Hilliard, Dutton, Benson, Bishop, Abramowich, Johnson, William Pratt, Derrick Simmonds, Anthony Marple, Hamm, Anthony Jones, and Ben Eldridge.
The Wildcats put up their first and only score in the third quarter. A long pass put Moundridge on the board at 6-6. The extra point was good, and the Wildcats led by one with 4:18 left in the third quarter.
The Warriors came back in the fourth with a drive that started at their own 29-yard line. A pass to Hilliard earned a first down. Bishop and Woodruff carried the ball to move the sticks again. On third-and-five at the Wildcat 30, Woodruff hooked up with Benson for the touchdown. The conversion failed, but the Warriors took the lead for good at 12-7 with 9:53 left in the game.
The final score of the contest came with 3:52 remaining in the game. Starting at their own 25, Bishop and Woodruff ran for two first downs. On third-and-five, Woodruff passed to Hilliard and he sailed into the end zone for the score. The conversion failed again, but PBHS led 18-7.
The Warriors tried an on-sides kick and Abramowich came up with the football. PBHS took another three minutes off the clock before punting back to the Wildcats.
The defense held the rest of the way for the victory. Tackles for the second half were recorded by Bishop, Eldridge, Woodruff, Pratt, Simmonds, Hilliard, Mike Gfeller, Benson, Jones, and Hamm.
Woodruff was 11-22 for 239 yards and three touchdowns. Hilliard hauled in seven passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Benson had four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. On the ground Woodruff led the attack with 16 carries for 71 yards, Bishop ran for 42 yards, and Hamm 17 yards.
PBHS is now 3-1 and will travel Friday to play undefeated Canton-Galva.
