Cloverdale's best season in years ended by Sheridan in Sectional 46 championship

A terrific turnaround football season came to an end for Cloverdale in Friday's 1A Sectional 46 championship game.

Sheridan scored 21 first quarter points to build a 14-point lead and went on to win a third consecutive sectional title, 42-14. The game was tied at 7-7 early on following a 64-yard touchdown pass by Landon Duncan to Tayt Jackson by Cloverdale.

But the Blackhawks soon recaptured a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Sheridan (7-5) was led by two 100-yard rushers. Jon Barnes rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Teammate Alex Cravens rushed for 106 yards as the host Blackhawks built a 28-7 lead.

Cloverdale's final score narrowed the gap to 28-14 on a long Levi Johnson touchdown run just before halftime.

Johnson finished with 82 yards rushing.

While the season ended for the Clovers there are notable streaks that ended that further emphasize the Clovers successful season beyond finishing with a .500 record at 5-5. The 2017 season was the last time Cloverdale won as as many as five games (5-6). Since 2017, the program was only 6-49 with two winless seasons.

It's the first time Cloverdale hasn't finished below.500 since a 7-3 record in 1996.

After a first round bye in this season's sectional, the Clovers semifinal victory over Tindley marked the program's first postseason victory since an opening round win over Riverton Parke in 2012. And, that win in 2012 was the only win of the season.

For Sheridan and legendary coach Bud Wright it's a 22nd program sectional title. The win earns the Blackhawks a trip to South Putnam for a 1A regional championship game. South Putnam (10-2) dominated the Sectional 45 championship by beating Riverton Parke, 44-6.