OCT. 22, 2004 – SIDNEY
Piqua traveled to Sidney on Friday night for the 109th gridiron meeting between the Indians and Yellow Jackets.
The Indians retained the Battered Helmet at the new Sidney Memorial Stadium. The Indians pounded the Yellow Jackets to a final score of 48-27.
Sidney started things off with a bang. Jackets running back Tyler Tucker rumbled for a 43 yard run to the Piqua 29 yard line.
Piqua’s special teams proved to be special. On 4th and 12 at the Indians 21, Les Sprague attempted a 38 yard field goal. Piqua’s Jafe Pitcock muscled his way through the line and blocked the kick.
“This was a good game for our special teams,” Piqua head coach Bill Nees said. “We were able to capitalize on some mistakes.”
Piqua’s drive stalled after Brandon Saine and Kyle Blair fought for some tough yards. The Indians turned the ball over on downs with only a few minutes to play in the opening quarter.
Indians sophomore Taylor Abram dropped an interception on 2nd and 7 at the 26. However, on the very next play, Abram stepped in front of a Phil Girod pass and raced 40 yards for the touchdown. Joe Hudson added the extra point to make it 7-0.
“That was exciting,” Abram said. “At first I wasn’t sure what to do but I just took off towards the end zone and scored.”
The second quarter was all Piqua. After a Sidney punt, Piqua faced a fourth and 4th and 5 at the Sidney 35. Blair took the pitch around the left side and with great blocks from Hudson, Zach Pack and Saine, raced in for the touchdown. The extra point was blocked but with 11:07 to play in the half, it was 13-0.
“The offensive line did a great job,” Blair said. “I wouldn’t be able to score if it weren’t for such great blocking.”
Piqua’s defense forced the Jackets to punt again. The Piqua special teams stepped up again. This time, Dominic Allen fought through the line and blocked the punt.
“I just blew off the ball,” Allen said. “I avoided the blockers and got in there and made the block.”
Saine went untouched around the left side for a 15 yard TD run. The extra point made it 20-0.
After yet another Sidney punt, the Indians overcame some penalties and were facing 1st and goal at the Sidney 6. After two runs gained 3 yards, the Indians tried something different.
Following a timeout, quarterback Mike Coppock found a wide open Phil Collier on a 3 yard touchdown pass. With the extra point it was 27-0 with :36 in the half.
“Phil was out there doing jumping jacks,” Coppock said with a smile. “I had to get him the ball. The line did a great job and I didn’t face much pressure all night.”
Saine found some more running room early in the 3rd quarter. He scampered 54 yards after Coppock found Pack on the previous play to keep the drive alive. Hudson again nailed the extra point to make it 34-0.
“Everything was clicking tonight,” Saine said. “They (Sidney) were talking all game and I wanted to get them back for that.”
A roughing the kicker call (one of many on the night) had Piqua kicking off from the Sidney 45, Hudson kicked off.
The ball died on the 1 yard line and a big hit by Blair caused a fumble. Dusty Snyder scooped the ball up and ran it in from 2 yards out. It was 41-0 with 9:51 to play.
Piqua safety Kyle Bauman added an interception.
After runs by Blair and Saine, Saine scored from 3 yards out. It was 48-0 when the starters left the game.
“We played really well,” Nees said. “Everyone stepped up tonight and played great. The starters did a tremendous job and they built a 48-0 lead when they were in there.”
Sidney would add 27 points in the 4th quarter against the Piqua reserves.
Piqua improves to 3-6 on the season and will host Greenville next week to close the 2004 season. Kickoff is set for 7:30.
