NORTH VERNON – The Owls rolled into Jennings County on Friday night with something to prove.
Last time these neighboring opponents met, it was a close win for the Owls in a 21-14 victory over the Panthers. This time, it was the same result in a lot different way with Seymour winning 56-32.
Owls head coah Tyson Moore spoke about the win over the Panthers.
“It was ugly. I thought we did some great things,” Moore said. “The game was kept a lot closer than I would have liked. We did some uncharacteristic things. Giving up a kickoff touchdown was unacceptable. But I like the fight our guys showed.”
Jennings County started with the ball, quarterback Sophomore Nathan Harrison making his first start for the Panthers.
The opposition tried to establish the run early, but the Owls wouldn’t let it happen, sending the first two plays backwards before a huge sack by Seymour.
Bret Perry wasted no time on offense for Seymour, throwing a dart to Jack Pennington on a slant over the middle. Pennington easily shrugged off the defenders and scored. The Owls’ took the early 7-0 lead, giving the ball back to the Panthers but not for long as the defense held up again, forcing the punt. Jennings County only gathered 3 yards through its first two drives.
“Our defense made some plays early. It didn’t end as smoothly as I would have liked, but we got the win and we’re on to next week,” Moore said.
The Seymour offense started their second drive on a roll with Perry dialing up the Panthers defense. Perry rolled to his right on a huge third down, evading defenders, miraculously finding Logan Shelly wide open down the field for a 19-yard gain. Nicholas Wheeler then took a 19-yard touchdown to the house to extend the lead to 14.
After another quick Panthers drive, Seymour drove back down the field again with it leading to another touchdown. Perry dropped back to pass and the Panthers forgot all about Jaylan Johnson, allowing him to make the wide-open catch and touchdown. Seymour took complete control at 21-0.
Jennings County exploded for a 72-yard run to finally get some offense going, eventually getting a touchdown from Sam Burkman. The two-point attempt was not successful. The Owls immediately scored with a long 49-yard touchdown pass from Perry to Kyle Hileman before Jennings County took back the kickoff for a touchdown on the very next play.
Seymour then fumbled to give the Panthers the ball back and try to make it a one-possession game. The team responded on defense, getting Perry and the Owls’ offense back on the field.
They didn’t disappoint with Perry throwing a 52-yard passing touchdown to Shelly on fourth down to take a 35-14 lead. Jennings County would then march the length of the field, ending with a 35-yard passing touchdown to Branden Braun. After a wild first half, the Owls led 35-20.
Seymour began the second half with the ball, even with Jennings County attempting an onside kick. The Owls were then forced to punt before the Panthers marched to the 1-yard line. Seymour defended its end zone beautifully, forcing Jennings County to turn the ball over on downs. The Owls had a long drive going until Perry threw an interception to Reed Wilson. The third quarter went scoreless for both teams.
Perry then threw a dot to Johnson to open the fourth quarter, who snagged the catch of the year for the Owls, bringing it in one handed on the dive.
Moore spoke on the phenomenal catch from Johnson.
“That was the best catch I have seen a high school player make,” he said.
Perry then hit Pennington for another touchdown to extend the lead to 42-20. Jennings County responded with another touchdown from Branden Braun to cut the deficit to 16. Seymour then milked the clock, running the ball consistently. Perry then found Johnson for a critical first down to keep the drive going.
Seymour then scored with a Cameron Wheeler 8-yard rushing touchdown, sealing the deal for the Owls up 49-26. Braun added his third touchdown of the night, but it wouldn’t be enough to beat Seymour, as Wheeler then scored another touchdown on the first play to give the Owls 56 points.
The Owls now sit at 4-3 on the season and will host the New Albany Bulldogs next week at Bulleit Stadium at 7 p.m. Jennings County now travels to Floyd Central to face off with the Highlanders.
High School Football
Owls 56, Panthers 32
Seymour; (4-3); 14; 21; 0; 21
Jennings County (3-4); 0; 20; 0; 12;
Scoring Sheet:
First Quarter
S: Bret Perry 24 yard passing touchdown to Jack Pennington. (Pennington Kick) 9:03
S: Nicholas Wheeler 19 yard rushing touchdown. (Pennington Kick) 1:45
Second Quarter
S: Bret Perry 14 yard passing touchdown to Jaylan Johnson. (Pennington Kick) 8:08
JC: Sam Burkman 11 yard rushing touchdown. (2pt no good) 6:45
S: Bret Perry 49 yard passing touchdown to Kyle Hileman. (Pennington Kick) 5:53
JC: Blaine Eisen 90 yard kick-return touchdown. (2pt good) 5:40
S: Bret Perry 52 yard passing touchdown to Logan Shelly. (Pennington Kick) 2:36
JC: Parker Harrison 35 yard touchdown pass to Branden Braun.
Third Quarter
There were no scoring plays in the third quarter
Fourth Quarter
S: Bret Perry 10 yard passing touchdown to Jack Pennington. (Pennington Kick) 10:21
JC: Branden Braun 2 yard rushing touchdown. (2pt no good) 6:58
S: Cameron Wheeler 8 yard rushing touchdown. (Pennington Kick) 3:09
JC: Harrison 40 yard passing touchdown to Branden Braun. (2pt no good) 2:00
S: Cameron Wheeler 45 yard rushing touchdown. (Pennington Kick) 1:35
Individual Statistics:
Rushing: C. Wheeler, 11-85 N. Wheeler, 9-55. S. Rockey, 1-8. J. Johnson, 1-7.
Passing: B. Perry, 24-of-29 for 360 yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 Interception.
Recieving: L. Shelly, 7-100. J. Pennington, 7-76. J. Johnson, 6-67. K. Hileman, 2-66. C. Wheeler, 1-40. N. Wheeler, 1-11.