Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — In Matt Hoops’ first six seasons as Unioto’s head coach, the Shermans have had plenty of talent on the defensive side of the football.
But this year’s defense has separated itself from the rest.
The latest example came on Friday night when the Shermans threw up another donut against rival Zane Trace, powering the program to a 19-0 victory.
It marked the fourth shutout this season and the third straight. To further pound that point forward, Unioto has given up 21 points in total this fall.
“They’re really comfortable in it and they’ve committed to the weight room and the speed and agility program that makes us extremely fast, all over the field,” Hoops said. “When you’re fast, it’s hard to score on you. That’s especially true when you have a kicker that makes you drive 80 yards to do it. I just think they’re really comfortable with each other and they’re really good athletes.”
In Friday’s win, the Shermans (7-0, 4-0 SVC) surrendered just 166 yards of total offense.
Judah Zickafoose helped that effort while his brother, Jaxon, paced the team’s offensive efforts.
Judah tallied eight tackles and an interception in the red zone while Jaxon caught six passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns while also adding an interception on the defensive side.
“You can’t kill them,” Hoops said of the Zickafoose brothers. “They’re just great players and they’ve got a nose for the ball. They’re great athletes. They work hard and when all that comes together, it makes a really good football player. To be able to have two of them is awesome.”
PHOTOS: Images from Unioto’s win over Zane Trace
After Zane Trace (5-2, 3-1 SVC) turned the ball over on its first drive, the Pioneers embarked on a 21-play, 57-yard drive on their second possession.
But just when it seemed like they were destined to take a lead, a penalty inside the red zone backed the offense up and the drive eventually ended with a missed 32-yard field goal attempt.
It was an early shift of momentum that kept the Shermans afloat.
“Obviously, you want to be proud of your guys right then but you don’t want to let them know that [a score] might’ve sank the boat early,” Hoops said. “Zane Trace kept fighting, but so did our guys. We’re both good teams, which meant this game was going to be a good game. Finally, we got to play all four quarters. Our guys just kept fighting and we came out with a win.”
With 6:27 left in the second quarter, Unioto broke the scoring seal when Isaac Coy found Jaxon Zickafoose for a 28-yard touchdown toss that ended a 10-play, 80-yard drive, making it 7-0.
It came on a 3rd & 17 play after a pair of penalties had backed the Shermans behind the chains.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
“Anytime we’ve called upon Isaac to do something, he’s answered,” Hoops said. “He’s understanding that there’s more to the game than just throwing the ball all over the place. He just managed the game extremely well tonight and came up with huge plays when we needed him to. I’m just really proud of him tonight.”
The 7-0 score was intact at halftime and, right after the break, the Pioneers were given a gift. Unioto fumbled the second half kickoff and Hudson Williams pounced on it, setting up ZT’s offense at the Shermans’ 45-yard line.
But, once again, Unioto’s defense rose to the occasion, earning a stop on 4th and 1 from their own 23-yard line.
Coy and company thanked their counterparts’ efforts with another score. The junior found Zickafoose open once again, this time from 14 yards out on 4th & 5, to make it 13-0.
That, in a nut shell, was all she wrote. But Cody Braden purchased an insurance policy with 8:56 remaining, finding the end zone from 24 yards out to round out the final 19-0 tally.
Statistically, Coy finished the night 13-of-18 passing for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Braden had 19 carries for 104 yards and a score, and David Long followed Zickafoose’s receiving totals, catching two passes for 36 yards while adding a team-high 12 tackles.
Zane Trace was led by Brice Johnson, who had 18 carries for 57 yards. Gunnar McCullough was 4-of-12 passing for 66 yards and two interceptions while adding 10 carries for 30 yards. Grady Stewart led the receiving corps with two catches for 34 yards.
“We probably did some things that we don’t normally do, but I think some of that was because of what Zane Trace did,” Hoops said. “I’m just proud of our guys for answering the bell when they needed to.”
While the Pioneers attempt to get back in the win column next week at Southeastern, the Shermans will travel to Paint Valley.
After battling the Bearcats, Unioto will then make a trip to Southeastern before hosting Westfall to end the regular season slate. As of now, the Shermans hold the No. 3 seed in Division IV, Region 15, according to joeeitel.com.
That would mean they’d have a bye before hosting a postseason contest. But make no mistake about it, there’s a lot of football to be played before playoff seeds shake out for good.
“We have to be as healthy as we possibly can going into the playoffs,” Hoops said. “I think we have the right recipe to win [in the postseason]. You have to have a good defense and I think we do. And we can run the football with some really good playmakers on the outside. So I think we have a good shot. So we’ll see.”
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