By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
Defense had a field day on Friday in Mahomet-Seymour’s 41-0 football victory at Macomb.
The defense dominated from the opening minute of the first period until the final gun sounded.
In the game’s first minute, Carson Thomas intercepted a pass and returned it 17 yards for the touchdown that lifted the Bulldogs into a lead they never relinquished.
The defense not only maintained the shutout through the duration of the 48-minute contest, but limited the home team to 0 yards of total offense.
The breakdown for Macomb: 18 total yards passing and minus-18 yards rushing; net 0 yards for 42 offensive plays from scrimmage.
“Those kids (on defense) are playing awesome,” M-S coach Jon Adkins said, “from the defensive line shutting down the run to the defensive backs getting interceptions and turning them into points and the linebackers doing both.”
The game was the third consecutive one in which the defense registered a season-best performance for points allowed. In that span, M-S has allowed just four touchdowns and 25 total points.
“For the most part, since the Taylorville game (Week 2), we’ve continued to learn and grow in that defensive scheme,” Adkins said. “It doesn’t matter who has played the last few weeks.
“It seems that whoever is in that spot, performs very well.”
The defense – along with the special teams unit – accounted for three M-S touchdowns at Macomb. Nic Liagridonis returned the second interception 7 yards for a score before the first quarter ended.
In the third quarter, C.J. McKinney blocked a punt and Bulldog teammate Mitchell Gallier recovered in the end zone for the points that created a running clock for the game’s final 19 minutes, 19 seconds.
In between, quarterback Braden Finch passed for two touchdowns and ran 38 yards for another TD.
Finch amassed more than 200 yards of total offense, passing for 119 on five completions. He connected with Clay Hubble on a 52-yard scoring strike in the second quarter and teamed up with Cole Hubble on a 66-yard scoring play in the first 2 minutes of the second half.
Adkins emphasized that the offensive success was the result of teamwork.
“On Braden’s run, we had kids blocking downfield,” Adkins said.
Finch also rushed for a team-high 95 yards. Other rushing leaders for M-S were Peyton Myers (26 yards) Gallier (18 yards), and Clay Hubble (14 yards).
Clay Hubble hauled in three pass receptions. Gallier, Cole Hubble and Clayton Spencer each caught one pass.
The defense was sparked by Dallas Carnell, McKinney and Skyler Yancy, each with six tackles.
Finishing with four stops apiece were Costen Campion, Jack Koller, Caden Lovenguth and Zach Travis.
Nolan Nierenhausen also intercepted a pass.
Thomas converted 4 of 5 extra-point attempts and Nico Cosimini hit his lone extra-point kick.
The Bulldogs (3-5) return home on Friday to face Peoria Richwoods (also 3-5) for M-S’ Senior Night game.
Fifteen seniors will make their final appearance on Frank Dutton Field.
Adkins will send them off with a final memory.
One of the pre-game rituals this season has been a group walk around the field.
“After the game, the seniors and I will walk the field one last time together,” Adkins said.
As for the upcoming game against a foe from the Big 12 Conference, Adkins added, “it won’t be easy by any means, but we will try to send the seniors off right. We’ll play as hard as we can.”
