By Jeff Odom
Laker/Lutz News correspondent
Rain wasn’t the only thing pouring on Wiregrass Ranch’s homecoming parade — Steinbrenner junior halfback Kendall Pearcey’s touchdown total was too.
Pearcey’s six total touchdowns set a program record for a game and also led the Warriors (5-3) to a 56-0 road victory over the Bulls (0-8) on Oct. 28. The 56 points is also the most ever for the third-year program, breaking the previous mark of 53 set against Riverview earlier this season.
The night started out well for Wiregrass Ranch, as the running combination of quarterback Jake Day and freshman fullback Eli Galvin gave the Bulls good field position. But Day’s key mistake came on an attempted shovel pass to Galvin. Steinbrenner senior defensive back Andrew Feldhaus broke through the line and intercepted the ball, taking it 57 yards for a touchdown.
Even with a steady rain falling, Steinbrenner avoided mistakes and controlled the pace of the game from there. Pearcey received the brunt of the carries because of season-ending injuries to running backs Shaheem Barthel (dislocated elbow) and Jake Carroll (torn ACL), but the losses didn’t slow things down for the Warriors against the Bulls.
After Steinbrenner’s Kyle Bade intercepted a pass late in the first quarter, Pearcey would lead the charge downfield. Following a pair of two 11-yard gains, Pearcey found a gap and went 12 yards untouched for his first touchdown of the night.
In the second quarter, Feldhaus recorded his second interception return for a touchdown in the game off of a bad pass from Wiregrass Ranch senior Jamal Nunéz.
“Those were my first two interception returns of my career, it felt good,” said Feldhaus.
Bade picked off another pass late in the first half to set up Pearcey’s second touchdown, stretching the Warrior lead to 27-0 at halftime.
Wiregrass Ranch finally completed its first pass of the game in the second half, but would falter into another three and out.
Steinbrenner showed no mercy, as senior Zack Jones’ pair of 15-yard gains set up Pearcey’s third end zone appearance on the ensuing drive.
Pearcey would go on to return punts of 61 and 63 yards to the house and added one more rushing touchdowns to give him six on the night.
“Coach said I was going to get the ball tonight and I just did what I had to do,” said Pearcey, who finished with 115 of Steinbrenner’s 162 rushing yards in the contest.
Wiregrass Ranch coach Jeremy Shobe gave credit to the Warriors’ size and ability on defense.
“We got worn down in the second half a little bit,” Shobe said. “Momentum and things like that made it tough to come back from. … They got a good team over there and they’re doing a good job. We’re young and just trying to stay positive.”
Steinbrenner will travel to Chamberlain (1-7) on Friday, Nov. 4 in its final district game of the season, while the Bulls will look to get into the win column for the first time this year when they travel to Freedom (1-8). Both games start at 7:30 p.m.
