Golden Warriors Sink Pirates

Coming off their first loss of the season in Week 3, the Sterling Golden Warriors wanted to get off to a quick start in their NCIC Reagan opener at Ottawa. So, Co-Captain Joe Schneiderbauer took the matter into his own hands, racing 68 yards for a touchdown on Sterling's first play from scrimmage just 16 seconds into the game. Raciel Ocampo's PAT gave the Golden Warriors a 7-0 lead.

On Ottawa's ensuing drive, Sterling's defense forced a fumble which was recovered in Pirate territory by Nolan Anderson, who was making his first varsity start at linebacker. Three plays later, QB Cory Renner squirted through the line and broke free for a 30-yard TD run. Ocampo kicked the PAT to give Sterling a 14-0 lead at the 8:41 mark of the first quarter.

Later in the 1st, the Golden Warrior defense forced another Pirate turnover, this time getting an interception from Anderson. Schneiderbauer quickly scored his second TD of the game from six yards out and Ocampo's extra point was good, extending the Sterling advantage to 21-0 with 0:23 left in the opening quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Anderson picked off another Pirate pass and returned it to the Ottawa 16 yard line. Four plays later, Aaron Cooksey broke off a 19-yard TD run. The Sterling lead was 27-0 after the PAT was blocked.

Ottawa would score their only points of the contest on their next possession. The biggest play of the drive was a 51 yard completion from QB Ryan Schueller to Stener Ziel. Mark Collins eventually finished off Ottawa's seven-play, 70-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run. The PAT kick was no good, leaving the score 27-6.

The Golden Warriors had an answer to the Ottawa drive, marching 62 yards on 10 plays and culminating with a Renner TD pass to Michael Trobaugh from 19 yards out. Ocampo converted his fourth PAT kick to increase the Sterling advantage to 34-6 with 1:02 remaining in the second quarter.

Neither team would find the end zone in a relatively quick second half. Sterling had an opportunity to punch in a final score late in the game, but Coach Greg King instead elected to take a knee three times at Ottawa's 1-yard line with less than a mintue to play.

Led by the outstanding play of Sheldon Hubbard and Nolan Anderson, Sterling's defense was in fine form, limiting an Ottawa rushing attack that was averaging over 360 yards per game, to a paltry 43 yards on 31 carries. The Pirates' Drew Thomas, who came into the game with 518 yards in three games was held to just 21 yards on 12 carries. The Golden Warriors forced 4 turnovers to raise their season total to 13. Sterling has yet to turn the ball over themselves in four contests.

Schneiderbauer led the Sterling ground attack with 87 yards on 5 carries. Renner added 48 yards on 9 attempts. The Golden Warriors out-gained Ottawa 281 to 133 and had 16 first downs, compared to 7 for the Pirates.

The win improved Sterling's overall record to 3-1 and 1-0 in NCIC Reagan play. Ottawa fell to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the Reagan. Sterling has now defeated Ottawa 9 times in the last 10 seasons.

The Golden Warriors travel to Streator in Week 5, to take on the Bulldogs (1-3, 1-0).

Sterling at Ottawa Boxscore