Football Routs Streator 40-0

The Sterling Golden Warriors (3-1, 1-0) started off NCIC Reagan Division play with a dominating 40-0 victory over the visiting Streator Bulldogs (1-3, 0-1). The win marked the third straight shutout for Sterling over Streator, the first time since 1974 that Sterling has shutout a conference opponent three straight years.

In what was their best performance of the season so far, the Golden Warriors rolled up nearly 400 yards in total offense while holding Streator to 88 yards and just 7 first downs. The Golden Warriors’ defense set the tone on Streator’s first possession by pushing the Bulldogs back on three consecutive plays and forcing a short punt.

On the ensuing possession, Sterling drove 34 yards for their first score of the night, a 1-yard run by junior Ben Minnick. Raciel Ocampo added the PAT and the Golden Warriors led 7-0 with 7:23 left in the first quarter.

Junior QB Niko Rivera bumped the Sterling lead to 13-0 with a nifty 6-yard run in the 2nd quarter. Ocampo’s kick made it 14-0 with 11:16 left in the first half.

Streator’s Dustin Moore returned the subsequent kickoff deep into Sterling territory at the 18-yard line but the Bulldogs could not capitalize, turning the ball back over to the Golden Warriors after four plays. Sterling struck quickly as, on the second play, senior Jake Hermes sprinted untouched 84 yards to bump the lead to 20-0. Hermes would add a 4-yard TD run late in the 2nd quarter and Sterling went into the break up 26-0.

Sterling added two more scores in the second half as Minnick ran 13 yards for a score and Jordan Rodriguez took it in from 1 yard out to account for the final points of the night.

Hermes finished with 141 yards and 2 TDs on 9 carries. Rivera added 5 carries for 50 yards and a TD, while Minnick (2 TDs) and Keaton Cervantes each had 42 yards on 7 carries. Rivera also connected on 6 of 9 passes for 49 yards, including 3 connections for 49 yards with Dustin Fritsch.

Sterling’s next game will be at Geneseo. The Maple Leafs (3-1, 1-0) are ranked #6 in Class 5A and are coming off a thrilling 17-14 overtime victory at Ottawa.

Sterling Vs. Streator Boxscore
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