Football:  Warriors Bouce Leafs, Take Conference Lead

Boxscore

With two weeks to go in the regular season, the SHS Football team has sole possession of first place in the NIB-12 West conference after a 35-21 win at Geneseo Friday.  Sterling is now 3-0 in conference play, with Geneseo and Ottawa both at 2-1.

Sterling (6-1, 3-0) took a 14-0 lead on a pair of one yard runs from Treyvon Solis and Marcus Robinson in the first quarter.

Geneseo (4-3, 2-1) scored a late second quarter touchdown to cut the lead in half, and had the ball first and goal at the Sterling seven yard line following a fumbled punt early in the second half.  Sterling’s defense held Geneseo to a field goal attempt, which Alejandro Rivera blocked and Mike Schneiderbauer recovered.

Nine plays after the blocked field goal, Robinson scored again on a two yard run, which was set up by Rivera’s 36 yard run on a third and five play from the Geneseo 40 yard line.

Up 21-7, Sterling’s defense forced a three-and-out, bring the Warrior offense back onto the field.  On the third play of the ensuing drive, Solis broke through the line and raced 51 yards to the end zone to make it 28-7.

Geneseo battled back and scored touchdowns on back-to-back possessions to pull within 28-21.  The first score was on a 42-yard pass on a fourth and six play.  Geneseo then recovered on on-side kick and scored again six plays later.

Geneseo tried a second on-side kick, but Solis fielded it cleanly and returned it to the Geneseo 48.  On the next play, Rivera broke free and darted 48 yards for the score to put Sterling back up by two touchdowns.

Geneseo’s next two drives ended with interceptions.  Jose Knox recorded the first pick, and Tanner Morse the second to secure Sterling’s sixth straight win, after a week one loss to Moline.

Rivera had another monster night for Sterling with 217 yards rushing on just 15 carries.  Solis rushed for 123 more on just 14 attempts.  As a team, Sterling rushed for 382 yards on just 43 carries – 8.9 yards/attempt.  Rivera has 493 yards rushing the last three games combined.

Sterling also won on the sophomore level 41-21.

Next Up:  Sterling can clinch at least a tie for its fourth straight conference championship with a win at Dixon (1-6, 0-3) October 14.