Bulldog capture Apollo Conference title with shutout over Mattoon

By Fred Kroner

Mahomet-Seymour’s unbeaten football team used a career-best performance from senior Nolan Nierenhausen on Friday (Oct. 15) in an 18-0 shutout over Mattoon.

The victory enabled the Bulldogs to claim the Apollo Conference crown without a league loss.

Nierenhausen was the offensive workhorse. He was called upon 35 times and rushed for a game-high 155 yards. He also caught three passes for 58 more yards.

M-S coach Jon Adkins said that Nierenhausen exemplifies the kind of attitude he likes in his squad members.

A year ago, Nierenhausen earned all-conference honors in the secondary.

This year, he willingly shifted to offense and started the season as a slot receiver when the Bulldogs lined up with four receivers.

As the season has continued, his playing time was more limited until rushing leader Luke Johnson suffered a season-ending injury in Week 6. Nierenhausen has become the featured back.

“He’s a warrior and has battled through so many things,” Adkins said. “He remained positive and stayed that leader.

“That (effort against Mattoon) was one of the best individual performances I have ever seen. They were not flashy, but hard-earned yards because he continued to battle.”

In a game that was scoreless at halftime, Nierenhausen wound up with more than 60 percent of M-S’ total yards in a game played in almost constant rain.

Two third-quarter touchdown runs by Mitch Gallier got the Bulldogs on the board, and Nierenhausen ended the scoring with a 38-yard jaunt in the fourth stanza.

Adkins said there were chances to score earlier in the game.

“We’ve got to convert when we’re in the red zone,” Adkins said. “That will be a focus this week, red zone offense.

“We had two opportunities to score in the first half that ended in turnovers.”

The continual rain didn’t allow the Bulldogs to operate their game plan effectively.

“The weather conditions favored Mattoon’s style of play,” Adkins said. “We like to air it out.

“Defensively, we’re built around speed. We like to fly around, and the muddy field negates that speed.”

It wasn’t all bad as M-S was able to meet – and conquer – a new challenge.

“Going in 0-0 at halftime, we had never been in a situation like that,” Adkins said. “We made a couple of great adjustments and the kids came out and answered the call in the second half.

“We got into more of a traditional running package. Defensively, our DBs did a great job of adjusting to their rules and assignments.”

Despite the emphasis on running, M-S quarterback Wyatt Bohm had his eighth consecutive game of passing for at least 150 yards.

He completed 14 of 25 attempts for 154 yards. Nierenhausen, Dream Eagle, Braden Pagel and Quenton Rogers all had three receptions. Valient Walsh caught two passes.

Defensively, the team leaders were Jack Gallier and Kale Schweighart, with five tackles apiece. Ashton Heiser had three stops.

Mateo Casillas, Mitch Gallier, Nick Golden and Braden Houchin all wound up with two tackles.

The Bulldogs have shut out two of their last three opponents and in their last four games, the first-team defense has yielded just one touchdown and 10 total points.

“That’s an incredible stat,” Adkins said. “We ask the kids to do a lot.

“We put together a lengthy game plan. They have to memorize every formation, and we have had some really good games.

“Sometimes when you win, you get complacent. I’m proud of this group of kids. They continue to come to work every day. They continue to build and to get better.”

M-S (8-0) returns to action on Friday in its regular-season home finale against Bloomington (4-4), which needs a win to become playoff-eligible.

“We’re chasing history,” said Adkins, referring to the chance for the school’s first unbeaten regular season in 17 years, “but Bloomington has a lot to play for, too.

“There is no tomorrow for them. It will be a dogfight, and I’m glad we’ve got the Bulldogs. They know what the task at hand is.”

In the history of a football program at Mahomet that dates back to 1923, there have been only six unbeaten and untied regular seasons: 1959 (8-0), 1960 (8-0), 1961 (8-0), 1962 (8-0), 1977 (9-0) and 2004 (9-0).

The 1923 team ended 7-0-2.