Buffaloes Stampede

Sherman claims title with win over Lions
November 7, 2010

By David Claybourn
Herald-Banner Sports Editor

SHERMAN -- Sherman's Bearcats wrapped up a perfect campaign in District 13-4A football with a 54-7 victory over the Greenville Lions on Friday night at Bearcat Stadium.

The 9-1 Bearcats, whose only loss was by a point to No. 5 state-ranked Highland Park, will head to the bi-district round of the playoffs to take on Marshall at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mesquite Memorial Stadium. The Bearcats were 6-0 in district play.

The Lions, hit hard this season by defections and injuries, finished at 0-10 and 0-6.

Sherman scored on two returns and on its first five offensive possessions to build a 47-7 halftime lead.

Ryan Reid returned Greenville's first punt 36 yards for a touchdown to give Sherman a 7-0 lead with 10:30 still left in the first quarter.

Sherman's defense forced a fumble recovered at the Greenville 12 by A.J. Swindell. Sherman needed only three plays to score as Zac Whitfield dashed in from the one for the touchdown.

Sherman scored its third touchdown on a two-play, 54-yard drive. Quarterback Thor Long connected with Whitfield on a 41-yard touchdown pass.

The Bearcats needed only one play to score on their third possession as Long fired a 49-yard touchdown pass to Nathan James.

Treylon Taylor's interception set up Sherman's next short scoring drive consisting of 28 yards and two plays. Whitfield raced 19 yards for the score as the Bearcats built a 34-0 lead in the first quarter.

Greenville countered with an 81-yard, 11-play touchdown drive that mixed the running of running back Alfred Champion and quarterback Jeffro Davis. Davis also fired a 29-yard completion to freshman wide receiver Oshay Carter on the drive. Davis topped the drive with a 4-yard run. Zakery Halverson's conversion made it 41-7 with 5:13 left before the half.

Carter, in at safety, stopped Sherman's next scoring threat with a diving interception at his 7-yard line.

After Sherman's defense forced a punt, the Bearcats tried to add to their 41-7 lead but a high snap prevented Eric Hosek from attempting a 45-yard field goal.

The Bearcats got back on the scoreboard with 9.3 seconds left before halftime as Jaron Davis returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown.

Sherman drove 60 yards in six plays with its second offense to add a final touchdown in the third quarter. Backup quarterback Tyler Liss capped the drive with a 1-yard run. Hosek added his sixth extra point.

Greenville's defense showed some heart in the fourth quarter, stopping the Bearcats on a drive from their 29 to the Greenville two. Marquist Davis, a 5-9, 170-pounder, stopped Sherman's 5-9, 245-poun Kuailon Taylor for a 2-yard loss on a fourth-and-one carry from the two with 3:28 remaining.

Sherman wound up outgaining the Lions 402-106 in total yardage as Long went 3-for-4 passing for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Liss was 4-of-9 for 102 yards and a third quarterback, Josh Parks, was 2-of-2 for six yards. Sherman spread the passes out among nine different receivers.

Davis was 3-of-9 passing for 44 yards for the Lions.

Champion led the Lion rushers with 28 yards on 15 carries and Carter, in at running back for the first time, added 22 yards on four carries.