Defense Makes Timely Plays

A stingy second-half defensive effort allowed Shiloh Christian to hang on for a 49-48 victory over Greenwood on Friday night.

After allowing 37 points in the first half, the Saints (3-0 ) prevented an amped up Greenwood offense from scoring on five of the Bulldogs’ seven second-half possessions. That provided just enough breathing room for Saints quarterback Matt Simpson, who finished with 417 yards and 4 touchdowns passing, to guide Shiloh Christian to victory late in the game.

Adam Herring followed a first-quarter fumble recovery by sacking Greenwood’s Tyler Wilson twice in the second half. He hit Wilson for a 10-yard loss to force the Bulldogs (2-1 ) into a third-and-20 situation with 32 seconds left in the game.

“Herring made an unbelievable sack there,” Floyd said. “He made a great hit on their quarterback. I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Sacks by Brandon McBryde and sophomore Nick O’Quinn ended Greenwood’s first drive of the third quarter. The Bulldogs had first-and-goal at the Saints’ 4 early in the fourth quarter before Hadyn Thomas made a key tackle during a goal-line stand that helped limit Greenwood to a field goal. Austin Tucker intercepted Wilson and ran it back 31 yards to the Greenwood 9 on the first play of the final period. “Our defensive line and linebackers really stepped up in the last half,” Floyd said. “Those guys were the difference. They allowed the secondary to make plays.”

— Lane Kramer