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Adena's quick start was one of the factors, along with their balanced offense and rush crushing defense in their 28-21 win over Unioto at Bostic Field in Frankfort.
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The Warriors scored on their first two possessions thanks to a poor punt that allowed Adena to go 41 yards in four plays and then a Jacob Dunn interception of an Isaac Little pass that gave the Warriors another short-field drive of 27 yards in two plays, to take a 12-0 lead. Adena was without field goal/extra point kicker Garrett Clark due to an injury, that left them going for two-point conversions all night, with their first two failing. That looked like it could turn into a factor of winning or losing, but ended with Adena converting on their final two TD's, including a "one hand catch" by Nate Throckmorton to secure a 28-21 lead fourth quarter.
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After grabbing the early 12-0 lead with TD passes of 35 yards from Preston Sykes to Logan Bennett and a 30 yard strike to Carson Long, Unioto answered with their first score on a 24 yard TD pass from Isaac Little to Bryd Green. Gage Stout's PAT kick made it 12-7 at 1:07 of the second half and held up for the halftime score.
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In Adena's opening second half drive, a fumble was recovered by Logan Stanton, which he returned 78 yards for the TD and the Shermans first lead of the night, 14-12 at 6:49 of the third period.
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The Warriors got the lead back with 25 seconds remaining in the third quarter, driving 67 yards in 10 plays when Nate Throckmorton scored on a 2 yard run. Dakota Cottrill's conversion run made it 20-14 Adena.
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The Tanks got the lead back at 21-20, when they traveled 70 yards in 4 plays on a Jamarcus Carroll 25 yard TD run at 11:28 left in the game. Adena would then drive 65 yards in 9 plays, with Throckmorton scoring on a 6 yard run, then making his "circus catch" for the two point conversion for a 28-21 lead.
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The Shermans had two more chances to score at the end of the game after deep drives into Adena territory. One of those chances was hampered when Adena's Logan Bennett blasted a 65 yard punt, forcing Unioto to start their drive on their own 7 yard line. But that drive and the following drive in the closing minutes of the game- each ended with the Warriors DB's Throckmorton and Sykes intercepting passes.
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Adena's defense held Unioto to only 73 rushing yards, while yielding 9/22 passing for 161 yards. That totals 225 yards- minus 9 yards for sacks. Isaac Little threw 6/14 for 92 yards, and freshman Mason Doughty came on in relief in the closing minutes to allow Little to become a receiver, where he pulled in a couple of big catches. Jamarcus Carroll was held to 44 yards rushing on 9 carries, scoring one TD. Unioto had only one possession in the third quarter, as Adena held the ball for most of the period.
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The Warriors offense accounted for 385 total yards, with Preston Sykes connecting on 11/15 passes for 173 yards and 2 TD passes. Dakota Cottrill rushed for 71 yards on 14 carries
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Unioto committed 3 turnovers and 5 penalties for 30 yards. Adena had one turnover and was flagged 6 times for 55 yards. Adena had 17 first downs and 10 for Unioto.
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Adena improves to (1-1/4-1) and Unioto stands at (1-1/3-2).