Crawfordsville took the opening kickoff and marched 62-yards down to the Class 3A, No. 5, Danville 3-yard line. Unfortunately, the Athenians couldn’t capitalize with points on that drive. And things slowly unraveled from there in a 41-0 loss for the Athenians.
“There were a lot of encouraging signs there on that first drive,” said Athenian head coach Kurt Schlicher. “We talked for a couple weeks that we haven’t gotten off to a good start, and I thought tonight, our kids came out and executed, although we couldn’t quite finish that drive off.”
“But there were a lot of positives and something to build off of for sure,” he continued. “I think our kids found out that they can compete and compete against a good team at a high level.”
The Warriors would respond immediately going 95-yards in 9-plays to take a 7-0 lead. The Warrior offense was efficient in the first half scoring on four of their five first half possessions. Two of the four were via a short field thanks to Crawfordsville turnovers. One scoring drive was 23-yards and another of 32.
Danville also had a pick six as they raced out to a 35-0 halftime lead.
With a running clock in the second half, the Athenians kept the Warriors out of the endzone until 0:29 remaining in the fourth quarter for the 41-0 final.
Danville’s longest play from scrimmage was on their first drive, a 56-yard pass play for a TD. Crawfordsville made them earn every yard.
“I told them last week that I didn’t think we competed like we could,” Schlicher said. “I think tonight we competed like we could and showed ourselves well for all four quarters.”
“I think we showed some improvement tonight over last week, and that’s all you want as a coach is to see improvement,” he continued “I thought tonight they showed something, and I’m proud of them for that.”
Crawfordsville (0-4, 0-2 SAC) travels to County rival Southmont next Friday looking to earn County Chase Points and that elusive first win. Danville (3-1, 2-0 SAC) will travel to rival Class 3A, No. 4 Tri-West.
“We know they’re off to a great start, and they have some talented players,” Schlicher said of the Mounties. “I think we need to continue to focus on us. There’s added excitement. It starts tomorrow with film, and I’m sure they’ll come Monday ready to practice.”
