Football Goes to 2-0 in Reagan

Many of the fans in attendance at the Sterling-Streator football game on Friday night expected an easy Golden Warrior victory. After all, Sterling had won 8 of the previous 9 match-ups with the Bulldogs and 21 of the last 24. And while Sterling ended up with a convincing 26-0 win, Streator’s defense kept the game close in the first half.

The Golden Warriors (4-1, 2-0) were able to move the ball to the tune of 180 total yards in the first half, but managed only seven points. Sterling’s first three possessions resulted in two punts and then a fumble inside the Streator 10, the first turnover of the season for the Golden Warriors. Sterling finally got on the scoreboard with 10:05 left in the second quarter as Cory Renner hit Aaron Cooksey with an 11-yard TD pass. Raciel Ocampo booted the PAT to put the Golden Warriors up 7-0. Renner also tossed a 50-yard TD pass to Kymin Hussong in the second quarter, but the play was called back because of holding.

Sterling’s defense was outstanding in the 1st half, holding Streator (1-3, 1-1) to just 40 yards, forcing 5 punts, and not allowing the Bulldogs to move the ball past mid-field.

Sterling’s offense finally got going in the 3rd quarter. After holding Streator to a “three and out” on the Bulldogs’ first possession of the quarter, the Golden Warriors took just four plays and 1:16 to hit paydirt. Mason Temiquel, who ran exceptionally hard all night long, powered into the end zone from 3 yards out to increase the Sterling lead to 13-0.

The Golden Warriors forced Streator to turn the ball over on downs on their next possession and took over at the Bulldog 40 yard line. On Sterling’s first play from scrimmage, Codtey Albright motored 40 yards for a score to put the Golden Warriors on top 19-0.

In the second half, Streator was again unable to move the ball against Sterling’s stout defense. The Golden Warriors forced five more punts and a turnover and the nearest the Bulldogs got to the end zone was the Sterling 35 yard line.

Renner put the game on ice with 6:31 left in the game as he scampered 80 yards for a touchdown. Ocampo booted the PAT for the final point of the game, giving Sterling a 26-0 win over Streator for the second year in a row.

Renner led the Golden Warrior rushing attack with 119 yards on 10 carries. Temiquel added 79 yards on 15 carries and Albright had 7 carries for 73 yards. As a team, Sterling rushed for a whopping 401 yards on 58 carries.

The Golden Warriors had 18 first downs on the night, while holding Streator to just 4. The Bulldogs managed just 100 yards on 43 plays for the game.

With the victory, Sterling moves to 2-0 in the NCIC Reagan. They will play host to Geneseo, also 2-0 in the Reagan, next Friday night at Roscoe Eades Stadium. The Maple Leafs come into the game at 5-0 overall and are currently ranked #3 in the state in Class 5A.

Sterling at Streator Boxscore