NORTH VERNON — Floyd Central’s offense was near perfect.
Jennings County’s defense had no answer.
Nine times — the visiting Highlanders had the ball.
And nine times — the Floyd County team found the end zone in pummeling the host Panthers 62-27 in the opening round of Class 5A Sectional 8 on Friday night.
“Floyd Central executed very well,” Jennings County coach Scott Buening said. “Give them a lot of credit.”
The Highlanders (7-3) were on the rebound from a loss last week to previously winless New Albany.
“This time last week, it was down in the ‘Dumpsville’ for us,” Floyd Central coach Brian Glesing. “Our kids rebounded, had a good week of practice and put on a good show tonight.”
The offensive “show” included 481 yards in total offense and several outstanding performances.
Highlanders’ halfback Aaron Sparks gained 91 yards and scored five touchdowns.
Floyd quarterback Max Guenther rushed six times for 124 yards, scored once and passed for two touchdowns. Teammate Christian Stewart, a 6-foot-4 receiver headed to the University of Louisville on a baseball scholarship, caught five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown.
“We had to load up the box to try to stop the run,” Buening said. “We couldn’t stop everything. We tried to make them beat us left-handed and they did.”
Guenther may have provided the biggest headache for Jennings (3-7). In addition to completing 14-of-18 passes for 197 yards, the senior romped around left end three times for big gains. One was a 53-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
“Guenther is one heck of a player,” Buening said.
Guenther had help.
“Our pulling guard did a great job blocking their outside linebacker,” Glesing explained. “We knew we had to score tonight because we knew (Jennings running back Iyan) Bass can run it in from anywhere.”
Bass did not disappoint.
The sophomore scored three times to set a new school record for the most touchdowns (15) in a season. Bass rushed for 199 yards and scored on runs of 64, 22 and 2 yards.
“Iyan is a kid we have to lean on,” Buening said of Bass who played a lot on defense. “He has the physical and emotional maturity of one much older. And he is very passionate about his teammates. He wants to win very badly.”
Things looked bright for Jennings County at the start.
Receiving the opening kickoff, the Panthers took the lead on the fourth play of the game when Skylar Furgason hooked up with speedy wideout Tommy McDaniel on a 51-yard pass-and-run play.
Later in the opening half, Jennings County trailed only 21-14 and had apparently forced the Highlanders into a punting situation. But an illegal participation penalty gave the winners a first down. Floyd Central went on to score and the game was never again in doubt.
The Highlanders will host New Albany in the Sectional 8 semifinal next Friday.
FLOYD CENTRAL 14 21 21 7—62
JENNINGS COUNTY 7 7 7 6—27
1st quarter
J — McDaniel 51 pass from Furgason (Collett kick), 9:53.
F — Bramble 4 run (Lowe kick), 8:07.
F — Sparks 3 run (Lowe kick), 0:37.
2nd quarter
F — Allen 19 pass from Guenther (Lowe kick), 9:19.
J — Bass 2 run (Collett kick), 4:32.
F — Guenther 53 run (Lowe kick), 3:49.
F — Sparks 8 run (Lowe kick), 0:53.
3rd quarter
F — Sparks 1 run (Lowe kick), 10:56.
J — Bass 64 run (Collett kick), 9:22.
F — Thompson 10 pass from Guenther (Lowe kick), 4:51.
F — Sparks 3 run (Lowe kick), 2:38.
4th quarter
J — Bass 22 run (kick failed), 10:33.
F — Sparks 2 run (kick failed), 6:17.
Floyd County Sports
FOOTBALL: Floyd Central's near perfect offense no match for Jennings
- Floyd County Sports
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CLARK-FLOYD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Parkview wins eighth-grade title game; Highland Hills takes seventh-grade crown
Highland Hills’ seventh-grade boys and Parkview’s eighth-graders each won Clark-Floyd Tournament championships Thursday at Silver Creek Middle School.
The Highland Hills’ seventh-graders outscored Parkview 12-3 in the final 2:42 for a 34-31 victory. Parkview’s eighth-graders also earned a come-from-behind triumph with a 21-5 fourth quarter to avenge their only loss of the season, 63-50 over Silver Creek. -
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Jeff claims a share of HHC title at Jennings, 57-55
The Jeffersonville boys’ basketball team captured a piece of its first Hoosier Hills Conference championship since the 2005-06 season on Thursday night, winning at Jennings County 57-55.
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POOLSIDE: Local accomplishment the focus at state
The likelihood of a local girl bringing home a state championship at the IHSAA State Swimming Championship meet in Indianapolis this Friday and Saturday is incredibly slim.
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CLASS 4A SECTIONAL: Highlanders lose in double OT to Seymour; Jeff falls to BNL
It was a heartbreaking night for the Clark-Floyd area in the first round of the Class 4A Seymour Sectional.
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CLASS 2A SECTIONAL: Providence guts out win over Henryville, 40-31
The Providence girls’ basketball squad advanced to the Class 2A Eastern Sectional semifinal against Paoli with a gritty, 40-31 win over Henryville Tuesday.
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CLASS A SECTIONAL: Borden cruises through first round
Defending Class A Sectional champion Borden rode a fast start and stellar defense to a first-round, 47-21 sectional win over Christian Academy of Indiana Tuesday night.
- WRESTLING RUNDOWN: Feb. 8, 2012
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MIDDLE SCHOOL HOOPS: Highland Hills, Scribner top the Clark-Floyd Tournament
Highland Hills captured the eighth-grade tournament title and Scribner won the crown in the seventh-grade tournament in the finals of the Clark-Floyd Middle School Girls' Basketball Tournament at Highland Hills Middle School on Monday.
- SPORTS IN BRIEF: Feb. 7, 2012
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H.S. SWIMMING: Highlander girls win fifth straight sectional championship
Floyd Central won its fifth consecutive girls’ swimming sectional championship Saturday at Highland Hills Middle School.
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