For the second straight season, South Medford saw Sheldon score 20 points in their first football game.
Only this year, the Irishman did not give the No.
Sheldon scored on all six of his first half possessions against the short-handed Panthers to build a 42-0 lead in fashion and run the clock for the second half.
“They started like that last year, but we didn’t do the job this year,” said South Medford head coach Bill Singler, whose team played without a few injured players. “We’re missing some pieces on this deal and in high school football when you lose a few bullets, it’s hard to replace them.”
Whatever the Irish wanted to do, they did.
Whatever South Medford tried was futile on the night as the two teams went 5-0 overall and 3-0 in SCFC play.
“They got off to a good start, credit to them,” said Singler, in his 25th season leading the Panthers. “They are a very good football team. This is as good of a Sheldon team as I’ve seen in a long time. “
Sensational senior quarterback Brock Thomas passed four and ran for two more to pave the way for Sheldon.
On the flip side, senior Deacon Edgar fought an uphill battle as he was under pressure from the rush and couldn’t find many windows to run or throw against South Medford.
Edgar was tackled by Nikko Klemm on the Panthers’ first pass, and later took over on a tip and then blocked a try by Luke Leighton and a diving attempt by Mana Tuioti.
“They killed quality and hurt us a lot on offense,” Singler said. “We don’t have any answers.”
North Medford’s offense was limited to 90 yards passing and 177 yards in the first half, while Sheldon racked up 285 yards passing and 59 yards on the ground — 45 courtesy of Thomas.
Edgar was 11-for-18 overall for 133 yards and held no touchdowns — rushing or passing — for the first time this season.
Ty Henry led South Medford with three catches for 68 yards, while Andrew Walker had two catches for 26 yards and a 22-yard run and Jacob Forrette had two catches for 27 yards in his first reception.
On the ground, Dylan Espinosa rushed for 38 yards on seven carries — most of which came in the first quarter — but Sheldon’s top defensive line, anchored by Oregon’s top-rated and Duck-bound senior Teitum Tuioti and fellow senior Josh Merriman, found their way. route in the backfield to prevent South from gaining ground.
Thomas opened the game with a 66-yard scoring strike to Isaac Peters and the Irish never looked back. Sheldon’s first interception led to an 11-yard touchdown pass to Luke Leighton and, after the Panthers turned the ball over, Thomas ran from six yards to make it 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Leighton’s interception on South’s next promising drive was appropriately capped by him pulling short of the ground and outracing everyone in the end zone for a 33-yard score.
Proof of how bad Sheldon’s night was, Thomas even completed a 1-yard pass to him after his first handoff was rejected by Espinosa but returned to the quick-action QB’s legs. The 6-foot, 175-pound Thomas capped the scoring drive with a 22-yard TD run.
Following a third down, Cade Welch caught a dive into the end zone for an 18-yard TD to make it a perfect 6-for-6 scoring drive in the first half for Sheldon.
“There weren’t a lot of answers on offense and defense,” Singler said. “We never protested much. They were very excited to play us because they haven’t played a game in three weeks (41-0 wins over Sprague, 62-6 over McNary and 56-0 against Roseburg). Their guys were very forward, they were playing to play us, and we didn’t care. “
Sheldon scored with four minutes to go as both teams had reserve players in the game.
At South Medford, Singler said it will all depend on how his team responds following its first loss after starting the season 5-0 for the first time since 2011.
“It’s a time of reflection for this team,” said the coach, whose team plays at Grants Pass next Friday. “What kind of team do you want to be at the end of the year? Will you let one game define you or will you rally and find character and resolve and finish this season strong. “
S – Peters 66 pass from Thomas (Graziano kick)
S – Leighton 11 pass from Thomas (Graziano kick)
S – Thomas 6 run (Graziano kick)
S – Leighton 33 pass from Thomas (Graziano kick)
S – Thomas 22 run (Graziano kick)
S – Welch 18 pass from Thomas (Graziano kick)
S – Parosa 8 run (Johnson kick)
Have an idea for a story? Reach sports editor Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, khenry@rosebudmedia.com or via Twitter @Kris_Henry
South Medford Deacon’s Edgar, featured in action during last week’s win over Sprague, found sailing against Sheldon’s stout defense entered Friday’s game having allowed the second-fewest points in the 6A division. [Andy Atkinson/Mail Tribune]
