Once Owensboro Catholic got going, they couldn’t be stopped in a one-sided 49-6 win over district opponent McLean County at home Friday.
The Aces (5-2, 2-0 District 2) started the scoring onslaught midway through the second quarter, but head coach Jason Morris said he was more impressed with ability to slow down a versatile Cougars’ attack.
“We felt like with our offense as dynamic as it is and clicking right now, we were going to score points,” he said. “I was a little bit worried about the McLean offense and them keeping the ball, but our defense played lights out.”
One of the bigger defensive highlights came when Chris Boarman scooped up a fumble and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown, and the following 2-point conversion was run in by Von Williams to start a running clock with a 42-6 lead late in the third quarter.
The only score for McLean County came late in the first half after a long drive. A 27-yard pass was nearly picked off but was tipped to the waiting receiver just past the goal line. The extra point was blocked.
Morris said it was important for the Aces to stay focused all week and get an important district victory. They can’t afford to slip up if they want to accomplish their goals.
“We know for us to reach our goals, which are very high, we have to come every single day with the right attitude,” Morris said. “I truly have a great group of seniors that know for us to reach the level we want, they can’t come unprepared.”
One senior, receiver Nick Mills, had three touchdowns on the night. The first came on the opening drive, when he caught a pass from Drew Hartz on 4th-and-18 from the 35-yard line. The two then connected again on the first play of the second quarter to double the lead.
Catholic was able to capitalize on a short field after forcing a fumble, and Williams got his first score of the night on a 5-yard run up the middle.
McLean answered with their touchdown then failed to recover a squib quick, setting the Aces up at midfield. Two plays later, Hartz found Sam Harrington for a 52-yard score with 53 seconds left in the half. The extra point was blocked, and the halftime score was 27-6.
The Cougars threatened on their opening possession of the second half, but Ya Ya Gray got an interception in the endzone to start another scoring drive. A heavy dose of Williams ended with him running for a 9-yard touchdown.
Hartz connected with Mills one more time on a 33-yard touchdown pass to finish off all scoring.
Morris said he and the team have reached a point where they are full of confidence, and they don’t care who the opponent is. They won’t look past any team, but winning will all come down to following their own gameplan.
“It isn’t even about our opponent at this point,” he said. “It’s about making sure we don’t beat ourselves. We’ve got a enough talent to compete with anybody.”
The Aces play their final road game of the season when they travel to Hancock County at 7 p.m. Friday.
