On a brisk fall night in Mishawaka’s Steele Stadium, the Cavemen captured a sectional title in a 27-6 domination over South Bend Adams. The game started with high energy for the Mishawaka defense who forced four turnovers and gave up only six points in the Sectional title game. Forcing two Adams punts in the first two possessions, the defense gave the highly potent Cavemen offense the opportunity to march down the field and score early in the first quarter. With a quick pitch to junior halfback Vernon Daniels the Cavemen found themselves up 7-0. After another Eagle possession, Mishawaka was able to add to their lead making it 13-0. Adams would not quit as they scored a touchdown with under a minute to go in the half, making it 13-6. On the opening drive of the second half, senior fullback Peyton Marshall scampered for a 48 yard touchdown run through a huge hole opened by the “Crazed Dawgs”, Mishawaka’s offensive line, making the score 20-6. This is when the Cavemen “Lights Out Defense” stepped up their game. Interceptions by junior cornerback Devin Wakes and senior linebacker Adam Heatherly helped set up a game, therefore sealing a drive led by senior quarterback Darian Phillips. When asked what led to success offensively all night, Phillips said, “The offense as a whole really executed their assignments, chewed up the clock, and finished drives well.” After the game was over, fans and students stormed the field in celebration of the Cavemen win. Players chanting “Monday Mile” in sheer excitement that they get another week of football and a sectional trophy. “This victory feels amazing,” said senior fullback Peyton Marshall, “Especially since it was for a sectional championship. I just feel like our team deserved it and we went out there and got it done.”
The Cavemen will quickly put this win behind them as they focus in on their next opponent, Fort Wayne Snider. The Panthers are 10-1 on the season and host the regional title game on Friday, November 13th at 7:30. Snider, whom are a habitually good football team in Indiana, captured their 9th straight sectional title against Concord in a 47-21 win. When asked about this Friday, Marshall said,“Nobody is super hype about this because that’s just not us. Of course the excitement builds on Thursday and especially Friday but we really just show up and take care of business.” Phillips also added saying “The team is just excited to be playing November football. We’re anxious to get another opportunity to get one more Monday.” And that is what will happen Friday, an opportunity for the Cavemen to capture that elusive Monday practice.
Cavemen celebrate sectional title
Darian Phillips leads the Cavemen option attack
Junior Ryan Wroblewski gets the call from coach Bart Curtis
Senior Lawrence Kariuki and junior Kevin Banks make a stop