Sterling Rolls Past Ottawa In Conference Opener

The Sterling Golden Warriors opened NCIC Northeast play with a convincing 40-20 win over the visiting Ottawa Pirates at Roscoe Eades Stadium in Sterling.

Sterling wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as senior quarterback Sean Bright ripped off a 72-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage to give the Golden Warriors a 7-0 lead just 15 seconds into the contest.

Ottawa responded with a touchdown drive of their own to tie the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter, but after that it was all Sterling.

The Golden Warriors continued their second quarter dominance, tacking on 21 points and taking a 28-7 lead into halftime as Christian Temiquel, Graham Hall, and Bright scored on TD runs. The last two scores came in the final 2:11 of the half with Bright providing the back-breaker on a 42 yard scamper with just :28 seconds left in the half.

Ottawa came out in the third period and drove to the Sterling 15 on its first series. But on fourth down the Warriors' Colt Preston blitzed Pirate QB Jared Mundt, stripped him of the ball and recovered at the Sterling 39. A 33-yard run by Bright then set up a six-yard TD by Hall to widen the gap to 34-7.

Dan Megli wrapped up Sterling’s scoring with a five-yard run. Ottawa added two late TDs to make the score respectable.

Bright finished the game with six carries for 181 yards, Hall added 16 for 79 and wingbacks Temiquel and Brandon Rodriguez combined for 84 yards as Sterling rushed for 356 yards and 19 first downs, while limiting Ottawa to only 118 yards.

The victory proved costly for the Warriors (4-0/1-0). On his last carry of the game in the third quarter, Bright was tackled and landed on his right, non-throwing shoulder and suffered a broken collarbone. Junior quarterback Cory Renner took over for Bright and will be counted on to lead Sterling’s offense for the remainder of the regular season. Bright is expected back for the playoffs.

The Golden Warriors host the Streator Bulldogs next Friday on Homecoming night.