Owls top Bulldogs in Rivalry
Examiner photo by Carter Benton Zaccarius Haynes jets for a touchdown against in County Rival Iola. The Owls beat the Bulldogs 26-0. Haynes has had an exceptional season with video game numbers.
ANDERSON- Anderson-Shiro Owls continue their undefeated season with a 29-0 win against Grimes County rival, Iola Bulldogs.
For the majority of the first quarter, the Bulldogs (2-1) held the Owls scoreless but the Owls (3-0) broke the stand-still on a Zacarrius Haynes, 1-yard run, capitalizing on a Bulldog turnover. The extra point was blocked by Cale Gould to end the first quarter Anderson ahead 6-0.
Shortly into the second quarter, Haynes scores another Owl touchdown carrying the ball 5 yards into the endzone. The extra point by kicker, Chalon Pratt, was successful extending the lead by 13 points.
Quarterback, Cole Werner, who ended the game 5-of-10 passing for 82 yards and one touchdown, connected with receiver, Kreese Milligan, good for 35 yards for another Owl touchdown. “I feel like we did good,” said Werner. “Defense was amazing on that side of the ball getting stop after stop. And offense was able to pound it in and get something going.” The extra point was unsuccessful, ending the half 19-0, Owls in the lead.
The Iola defense controlled the third quarter, preventing the Owls from extending their lead, but were unable to put points on their side of the board. “[Anderson] is a good football team. They played well,” explained Iola head coach Kerry Bamburg, “I mean, you’ve got to give it to them. We played, we battled, but sometimes your school gets the better opponent and they were better tonight.”
Coming into the final quarter, the score was at a standstill with Anderson ahead 19-0, with three minutes remaining on the clock. Shyheim Jones punched it into the end-zone for the game’s final score. Pratt converted the extra point kick finalizing the score 26-0.
“You know, there’s a lot that goes into a game like this,” stated Anderson-Shiro head coach Bran Hodges, “The fans get into it and the players come out excited. To come out and put all those distractions behind us, do what we wanted to do, and come out victorious was a pretty good feeling.”
Anderson-Shiro (3-0) hosts Brazos Christian Friday at 7:30 p.m. Iola (2-1) hosts Milano Friday at 7:30 p.m.