Sidney turns attention to Piqua, GWOC North after 5-0 start

0

SIDNEY — With Sidney’s 42-0 win over West Carrollton on Friday, one goal is out of the way. The Yellow Jackets’ quest to achieve another goal started as soon as the last seconds ticked off the scoreboard at Sidney Memorial Stadium.

Sidney completed its first 5-0 start since 1996 with the victory against West Carrollton and will open Greater Western Ohio Conference American North Division play on the road against rival Piqua (3-2) on Friday night.

The Yellow Jackets looked to be among the contenders for the North title after 4-1 and 3-2 starts the last two seasons but went 2-3 and 1-4, respectively, in divisional play.

This season, though, Sidney looks to be the frontrunner for the league title, as the five other North teams enter divisional play with at least two losses each.

The Yellow Jackets lead the entire 20-team GWOC in yards per game and are second behind Trotwood in points per game. Isaiah Bowser leads the conference in total rushing and all-purpose offensive yards, and quarterback Andre Gordon is No. 6 among in GWOC quarterbacks in average offensive yards per game (203).

Defensively, Sidney is third in the North in both yards (392) and points (17.2) allowed per game.

“This was a goal,” Sidney coach Adam Doenges said. “Being 5-0 or 4-1 at this point is what we were hoping for. We talked to the kids about how we have two guaranteed seasons, a nonconference season and our division season. Being 5-0 is nice, but now we’re going to get those two extra numbers beside that. We asked the kids if they want to have a 1-0 next to that or an 0-1. To add special effect to it, it’s Piqua week.”

Doenges told the team in the postgame huddle on Friday that a league title will require as much or more focus in practice the next five weeks, especially leading up to the divisional opener against Piqua.

Piqua’s two losses were to two state-ranked teams in Trotwood-Madison and Franklin. The Indians lost 42-35 to Trotwood in Week 2 and 21-7 to Franklin in Week 3.

“We told them everything they do this week is going to have to be a little extra special,” Doenges said. “Even just walking down the hallway or paying attention in the classroom. Whether it’s stepping on the field or doing a drill, everything just seems a little extra special this week, because it’s Piqua week.”

Gordon, who completed 7-of-14 passing attempts for 165 yards and three touchdowns on Friday, said he thinks the team has the tools to win the North.

“We’ve got an amazing running back, and our line is doing great this year,” Gordon said after Friday’s win. “On defense, we’ve got to step up, but our defense knows what we’ve got to do. Everyone on our defense is athletic.”

Sidney hasn’t fared well recently in the Battered Helmet rivalry. The Indians have won 10 of the last 12 meetings, including a 33-13 victory last year.

“We’re about to go get 6-0,” Gordon said. “That’s our goal, bring that helmet back and get the seniors happier than ever.”

Bowser rushing watch: Bowser had 205 rushing yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns against West Carrollton. He’s on pace to gain nearly 3,000 yards this season after rushing for 1,448 through the first five games.

Bowser leads the GWOC with 1,773 all-purpose yards.

Sidney quarterback Andre Gordon throws with pressure from West Carrollton’s Jordan Shepard during a Greater Western Ohio Conference game on Friday night at Memorial Stadium. Gordon threw for three touchdowns in the 42-0 win.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/09/web1_DSC_0711-Edit-3.jpgSidney quarterback Andre Gordon throws with pressure from West Carrollton’s Jordan Shepard during a Greater Western Ohio Conference game on Friday night at Memorial Stadium. Gordon threw for three touchdowns in the 42-0 win. Bryant Billing | Sidney Daily News

By Bryant Billing

[email protected]

Contact Bryant Billing at (937) 538-4818, or follow @SidneyOHSports on Twitter.

No posts to display