Shiloh rips Alma, claims league title
5A-WEST
SHILOH CHRISTIAN 57, ALMA 21
ALMA — With a conference championship on the line, Shiloh Christian went to senior running back Bo Williams early and often. The school’s career rushing touchdown leader didn’t disappoint.
Williams set the tone early by rushing 17 times for 158 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half. That allowed Shiloh Christian to pull away for a 57-21 victory against Alma in the 5A-West Conference regular-season finale at Airedale Stadium. This win gave the Saints six consecutive conference crowns and 20 overall.
“We knew we needed to win this one,” Williams said. “The loss to Farmington [on Oct. 20] really cut deep. We knew we needed to step it up the rest of the season. I’ve been battling injuries, but this one was a big game. This is the best I’ve felt since Week 3, so I said, ‘Guys, let me work.’ The offensive line was so good for me.”
Shiloh Christian (8-2, 6-1) had its offense going from the opening drive. The Saints scored on every first-half possession to build a 51-14 halftime lead.
“We’ve worked hard,” Shiloh Christian first-year Coach Tucker Barnard said. “I didn’t know what to think because
Alma is a very good football team. They have had a great year.
We knew we’d need to work hard. We got a little more healthy in this game. Our offense was so good. I’m really pleased with the way we played on defense, too. There were a lot of guys playing well for us.”
Williams’ third rushing touchdown of the game helped the Saints build a 37-8 advantage in the second quarter. It was clear from the opening carry Williams looked a little more healthy than he has been for most of this season.
“He has worked so hard in his career,” Barnard said of
Williams. “I know his family, so I’ve seen him grow up. He is a stud. It’s all paying off for him now. He hasn’t been full speed and has been banged up. But he’s had an amazing season still. He has been a good one.”
With as much success as Williams had on the ground, Williams said he enjoyed the show freshman quarterback Cole Creighton and senior wide receiver Carter Holman put on.
Creighton finished 13-of15 passing for 199 yards and 3 touchdowns, all in the first half. His main target was Holman, who hauled in 8 catches for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns.
“It was exciting to see them play so well,” Williams said. “We knew Cole could sling it, but there was one pass during this game that opened my eyes. I didn’t know he could do that. He surprises me every day. He has a great work ethic. He is just a freshman and he is already a dog.”
Sophomore running back Griffin Mason started the scoring for Shiloh Christian with a 16-yard touchdown, and the Saints didn’t slow down after that on offense.
Defense and special teams were a key factor for Shiloh Christian, too. The defense finished with three takeaways that were punched in for points on all three extra possessions. Mason Howell came away with an interception, while Luke Morgan and Bowen Gillison both recovered fumbles. Austin Evans connected on field goals of 27 and 26 yards and didn’t miss an extra point.
Alma (7-3, 5-2) was guided by senior quarterback Jackson Daily. He finished with 179 yards of offense and two touchdowns. He had a 30yard touchdown rush and a 14-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Byron Standridge. Senior running back Carlos Gonzalez finished with 14 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown.
“I’m very proud of the way our guys played,” Alma Coach Rusty Bush said. “They’ve battled all year. We played a very, very good football team with plenty of playmakers. We are now excited to see what we can do in the playoffs. We are looking forward to that free football.”
“He has worked so hard in his career. I know his family, so I’ve seen him grow up. He is a stud. It’s all paying off for him now. He hasn’t been full speed and has been banged up. But he’s had an amazing season still. He has been a good one.” Shiloh Christian Coach Tucker Barnard on running back Bo Williams after Friday’s victory over Alma