State-ranked Mahomet-Seymour picks up Apollo Conference win

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By Fred Kroner

After two high school football games, Mahomet-Seymour’s state-ranked squad is 2-0 with two dominating wins.

And, in position to get even better.

Coach Jon Adkins was satisfied with the outcome from the Friday (Sept. 2) game at Frank Dutton Field, a convincing 35-14 triumph over Effingham in the Apollo Conference opener.

But, he didn’t need to spend hours studying the game film to see areas that need improving.

M-S opened up a 28-0 lead before being outscored 14-7 during the final 12 minutes.

“We have to get the kids learning what finishing is, instead of letting off the gas,” Adkins said.

While the total yards amassed by the Bulldogs was impressive (457), Adkins sees plenty more opportunities.

M-S was penalized 11 times in the game – eight times while the offense was on the field – and ended with 97 yards in penalties.

Part of the coach’s thought process is tempered by the performance he witnessed in his team in the opener against Morton.

“I felt like we played flawlessly in Week 1,” Adkins said. “It’s hard to come back and be better than that.

“We did some things very well (against Effingham). I’m proud that we matched their physicality. The overall game went well, but we’ve got to fix those penalties.”

Quarterback Wyatt Bohm tossed four touchdown passes – two apiece to Quenton Rogers and Valient Walsh.

The team’s top two receivers had almost identical statistical totals. Rogers hauled in six passes for 140 yards. Walsh had six catches for 130 yards.

“It’s nice to have both of those weapons,” Adkins said. “It’s hard for defenses to focus on one when you have two of them.

“It’s not only Q and Valient. We have others that you have to respect, Adam (Dyer), Braden (Houchin), Trey (Peters) and Luke (Johnson), who has some of the best hands on the team.”

Bohm finished with 311 passing yards, completing 16 of 29 attempts. He was not intercepted.

Johnson was again the team’s workhorse out of the backfield. He got the call on 22 of the Bulldogs’ 29 running plays and gained 81 yards.

Rogers ran the ball twice for 69 yards and Brennan Houser carried three times for 6 yards and one TD.

It was Houser’s 1-yard run with 8 minutes and 32 seconds left in the third period that lifted M-S into a lead that became 28-0 after Kyle Walmer converted the fourth of his five extra points.

The M-S offense has multiple players with big-play potential despite working behind a relatively inexperienced line.

The O-Line veterans are senior left guard Mikane Didier – a three-year starter – and senior right guard Marshall Bachar, a two-year varsity regular.

“The two senior leaders are bringing the young bucks along,” Adkins said. “(Friday) night was the best game Bachar has played in his career, Marshall is a vocal leader for the offensive unit.”

The line newcomers are center Tyson Finch, left tackle Mitchell Gilbert and right tackle Kolton Metcalf-Poulos. Finch and Metcalf-Poulos are sophomores and Gilbert is a senior.

“There’s some inexperience, but I’m proud of them for working hard and getting better,” Adkins said.

Walmer was not only perfect on his placements, but punted once for 42 yards and averaged 51 yards on his six kickoffs.

With Houchin serving as the long-snapper and Dyer as the holder, the play of the kicking unit was a strength against the Hearts.

“I’m proud of those guys for getting the job done,” Adkins said. “That was a focus this week.”

The Bulldogs’ defense limited Effingham (0-2) to 168 total yards and just 57 yards rushing on 37 carries.

In the first half, Effingham was 0-for-7 on third-down conversions.

M-S (2-0) returns to action on Friday (Sept. 9) with its first road game, traveling to Mount Zion (2-0).

“This is probably for the conference championship,” Adkins said. “They have athletes left and right, and all over.

“They throw it and catch it, and defensively, they fly to the ball. What a great challenge and test it will be for our kids. We will have our hands full.”

It has been nearly a decade since M-S won a varsity football game at Mount Zion. The last win on the Braves’ field came on Aug. 30, 2013, a 41-14 Bulldog triumph.