HOWARD — Shadyside capitalized on a couple of opportunities with a relentless ground game and a stiff defense to defeat host East Knox, ending the Bulldogs’ quest to match their run of last season.
The Tigers bounced the Bulldogs from the Division VII, Region 27 tournament, defeating them 14-0 in a rain-soaked quarterfinal matchup at Chet Looney Stadium, on Friday night.
Shadyside had 233 yards on the ground with running back Wyatt Rieman accounting for 30 carries for 171 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown. Jacob Visnic (13 carries, 53 yards) accounted for the game’s other touchdown.
The Bulldogs, who were only able to muster 44 yards on the ground, took to the air. East Knox quarterback Peyton Lester was 9-of-12 for 88 yards passing in the first half. His only mistake in the first half came on the Bulldogs’ opening drive. Tigers’ defensive back Jordan Joseph intercepted Lester, stopping a Bulldogs’ drive.
The Tigers got the ball at the 12, taking it downfield on a drive that was highlighted by a 50-yard pass from Shadyside quarterback Rhys Francis (4-of-7, 79 yards and one interception) to teammate Mason VanNest. That set up Visnic’s 11-yard touchdown run. It was the only score the Bulldogs’ defense allowed in the first half.
“Our boys played their hearts out,” East Knox coach Cody Reese said. “I’m super proud of our boys. I couldn’t ask them to do more. They laid it all on the line and left it out on the field.”
The rains came and lightning struck at 7:56 p.m., just before the end of halftime. Play resumed on the wet field at 9:45 p.m. The Bulldogs’ defense stopped a Tigers’ drive on their own 32, midway through the third quarter, when East Knox defensive lineman Kyle Maharg tackled VanNest to stop the Tigers on fourth down.
“We played super hard to the end,” Maharg said. “We just didn’t have enough in the tank. We did a great job on defense, but we just couldn’t get anything on offense going.”
Then, the Tigers got another pick – this time by Francis. On the ensuing drive, Rieman took the ball the final 56 yards to score.
The end of this Bulldogs’ playoff run is the end of the road for a class of East Knox seniors that knew their full share of both frustration and triumph.
“You don’t know how fast it’s going to go, until you live it,” East Knox senior Weston Melick said. “Don’t take anything for granted. I gave everything I had to this football team and they gave everything back to me. I love them to death. I wouldn’t trade them for the world. They’re my family, now, for the rest of my life.”
Still, the Bulldogs may have another game left to play. They are expected to announce that they will add another game to their schedule, soon.
“I’m going to miss my seniors,” East Knox junior Shane Knepp said. “They helped us out. They were with us last year and stepped it up. Hopefully, we can get one more game this season, so our seniors can get a win.”
