Early promise fades as Edgewood falls to Scottsburg in football sectional first round

On Friday, the Edgewood High School football team completed the program’s best season since 2019, with a 6-4 record. However, the final game left a sour taste for many Mustangs, as Edgewood fell 31-7 to Scottsburg in the first round of the Indiana High School Athletic Association Sectionals.

The Mustangs tied the game at 7-7 with over four minutes remaining in the first quarter. But that was the last time Edgewood produced any points. Giving up 24 unanswered points did not help the Mustangs, as the Warriors outgained them 345 yards to 175.

Edgewood could not get the offense going for most of the game. Junior quarterback Braylon Linerode finished the contest 8-of-20 for only 86 yards and an interception. Linerode also produced the Mustangs only touchdown of the game on a 18-yard pass to senior tight end Gunnar Perry (5 rec, 63 yds, 1 TD). Junior running back Braxton Carpenter was bottled up on the ground by the Scottsburg defense. He finished the game with 57 yards on 22 carries.

Edgewood’s defense came up with two interceptions off Scottsburg junior quarterback Nathan Byrd. However, the yards given up by the defense counteracted any momentum from the takeaways. Byrd only needed to go 7-of-11 on his attempts, finishing the game with 163 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Landon Shuck had 170 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.

The Warriors were able to gash the Edgewood defense from their first possession of the game. A 47-yard rush by Shuck moved Scottsburg into plus territory. On the next play, Byrd connected with senior wide receiver Garrett Boling (4 rec, 76 yds, 1 TD) for a 34-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the contest.

However, Edgewood was able to respond to Scottsburg’s opening score. A 10-play, 65-yard drive was the only time the Mustangs could effectively move the ball down the field. Linerode found Perry for 16 and 18 yards before finding him again from 18 yards out for the touchdown that tied the game at 7-7.

Edgewood did force a 3-and-out on the ensuing possession, but a muffed punt set Scottsburg up at the Mustangs’ 35-yard line. Byrd found Boling on the first play of the drive to move the Warriors into the red zone. However, Edgewood’s defense held firm. On a 3rd-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Byrd threw up a ball into the end zone and instead of one of his receivers catching it, it was Edgewood sophomore linebacker Rowan Heitink coming down with the interception.

Edgewood could not capitalize with the ball, as the Mustangs had to punt after a 3-and-out. On the ensuing possession, Scottsburg did not produce high yardage plays, but the Warriors kept on cutting away at Edgewood’s defense in smaller chunks. The Warriors biggest play came when Byrd found Boling for 10 yards. Byrd also connected with senior wide receiver Matt Wickey (2 rec, 16 yds) for 9 yards. The drive culminated in a 34-yard field goal by senior kicker Tucker Doriot to take a 10-7 lead.

After another punt from Edgewood, the big play ability for Scottsburg appeared. It only took one play on the drive for Byrd to connect with junior running back Matt Hamilton for a 71-yard touchdown.

The Mustangs defense was able to shift some momentum back towards Edgewood after an interception by junior defensive back Evan Enghauser. However, the offense could not gain enough yards with time running out in the first half.

To start the second half, Edgewood got the ball first and needed a score to get back into a 17-7 game. So the Mustangs tried to turn to their passing attack. Linerode targeted sophomore wide receiver William Hosey twice but he could not connect with him. After a punt by Edgewood, the hole got deeper.

Shuck ran for 35 yards to flip the field on the first play of the next drive. The Warriors offensive line was able to move the Edgewood defensive line and open up holes for their running back. Behind Shuck, Scottsburg made its way back into the end zone in a 7-play, 62-yard drive. The Warriors increased their lead to 24-7 with 7:39 remaining in the third quarter.

The bad for Edgewood went to worse on the ensuing drive. Linerode looked left and tried to find one of his receivers, however, Wickey intercepted the ball with nothing but green grass in front of him. Wickey cruised 85 yards into the end zone to increase Scottsburg’s lead.

Down by 24 points to start the fourth quarter, Edgewood’s offense still could not gain many yards. In the final quarter, the Mustangs had an 11-play, 44-yard drive and a 5-play, 2-yard possession. Scottsburg was able to run out the clock and end Edgewood’s season.

The Mustangs finished the season on a four-game on-the-field losing streak, even though they picked up a Week 9 win over Irvington Preparatory Academy after injuries forced the Ravens to forfeit the game.

For local schools, the IHSAA playoffs roll on next Friday with Bloomington South taking on Terre Haute South Vigo and Bloomington North playing Terre Haute North Vigo. Both games are at home for the Bloomington schools.