(Shenandoah) Atlantic captured their fifth consecutive win this season with a 28-0 victory over Shenandoah on Friday night. Trojans earned their third straight shut-out, and move to (5-1) on the season, and (4-0), in Class 2A, District 9 play, with the regular-season finale against Red Oak at Atlantic’s newly renovated stadium next Friday night.
“It’s the same song and dance, and you can hit that tape recorder over and over again, but our defense played lights out,” said Atlantic Head Coach Mike McDermott.
Atlantic ended the contest with 281 yards of total offense, 202 rushing and 79 yards passing. Bodie Johnson led the Trojans rushing attack with 17 carries for 155 yards and three touchdowns.
“Bodie Johnson got it going, and he’s a tough-nosed kid,” said McDermott. “But you have to give credit to our offensive line; Gunner Kirchhoff, Drey Newell, Payton Fewson, Devin McKay, Hunter Weppler, and Brenden Casey. All of those guys got together in the second half and made things happen for us.”
Atlantic quarterback Garrett McLaren was 3-5 passing, including a 29-yard scoring strike to Colin Mullenix with 4:42 to play in the first quarter. The score held steady at 7-0 at the half.
Atlantic came out in the third quarter and got a big play from defensive end Colton Tasto. The senior picked off a Mustang pitch and returned it down to the Trojan three-yard line (a turning point in the game). Bodie Johnson scored on a two-yard run and added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter on runs of 25 and 24 yards to push the score to 28-0.
The win solidified a district championship despite what happens next week against Red Oak. “It’s been a long time since we won a district title, and the win might have solidified it,” said McDermott. “We’re going to enjoy this one and get ready for Red Oak next week. Winning a district title was our goal, and they accomplish that.”
Shenandoah ended the night with 159-yards of total offense, with 84-yards rushing and 75 yards passing. Zayne Zwickel was 9-26, passing for 75-yards. Blake Herold led the receiving corps with five catches for 58 yards, and Morgan Cotton led the team in rushing with 20 carries for 58-yards.
The Trojans had 21 first downs to the Mustangs 12.
“I can’t say enough about our kids and our coaching staff,” added McDermott. “I thought our assistant coaches did a great this week in getting our kids motivated and ready to play, and made some great adjustments at halftime.”
