DOVER — The Western Boone football team had no problems in topping Southmont for a homecoming victory on Friday night.
But despite the 47-7 win over the Mounties, Western Boone head coach Justin Pelley knows the Stars have to be a little cleaner in all phases of the game if they want to get to their goals at the end of the season.
“We were sloppy in the second quarter, and if you are going to beat good people, you have to play four quarters,” Pelley said. “We didn’t do that tonight. We have to learn how to respond and play four quarters.”
Western Boone grabbed control of the game in the first quarter.
After the Mounties turned it over on downs on their opening possession, Western Boone went 62 yards in seven plays, scoring on a 28-yard pass from Elliott Young to Mitch Miller.
Then it was time for the WeBo defense to step up. On third and 10 on the ensuing drive, Ryan Taylor picked off a pass and returned if 45 yards for a touchdown.
Three plays later, it was another pick-6, this time from Austin Bowman, who jumped a route and returned it 35 yards for a score to make it 19-0 midway through the first quarter.
The interceptions were the first two all season by the WeBo defense.
“We had a couple of mistakes early in the game that cost us,” Southmont head coach Desson Hannum said. “Overall, we were able to move the ball, especially in the second quarter. Defensively, I didn’t think we played too bad this evening, but it was tough when we got down there early and had to fight our way back.”
Western Boone made it 26-0 when Elliott Young found Casey Baird for a 12-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
Southmont responded with its best drive of the game, going 54 yards on 14 plays, scoring on a 1-yard run by Carson Chadd.
The Mounties converted two fourth downs on the drive.
“We had pretty good momentum heading into the half there,” Hannum said. “We had a good drive, unfortunately we couldn’t capitalize on it in the second half.”
Western Boone scored on their first three drives of the second half to get a running clock for the rest of the game.
Miller had his second touchdown of the game, running it in from nine yards out, before Robby Taylor scored from 14 yards to make it 40-7.
Freshman Mason Tomes scored his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“We don’t have a JV game tomorrow, and the message at halftime was we kind of let those kids down because we stalled on a couple of drives,” Pelley said. “We wanted to get those kids in and we weren’t going to go somewhere else and play JV because of the bubble stuff. They did a good job.”
Taylor had 19 carries for 129 yards and a score. Young was 9 of 13 for 90 yards and two scores.
Isaiah McMasters had 50 yards on 17 carries to lead the Mounties.
Southmont hosts Lebanon next week.
Western Boone will host undefeated Danville, and former offensive coordinator Jayme Comer.
Pelley said the Stars have to be ready to go next Friday.
“We know what they are going to do offensively, it looks a lot like our offense,” Pelley joked. “They are doing a great job over there. They have some really good kids who can get off the ball. They really haven’t had to play a full game yet, and I hope we can challenge them. They are the team to beat in the conference, I don’t think that is a secret, but we will give them everything we have.”
