By Rick Knack
JEFFERSONVILLE — September 17, 2002 – For Sullivan West, the highlight of Saturday’s Section IX Class B football game was holding the James O’Neill offense on the Bulldogs’ 2-yard line for four downs.
That third quarter defensive stand was not enough to win the game, but it was a start.
O’Neill (2-0, 1-0 Class B) beat the Bulldogs, 18-0.
“Our defense showed a lot of character then,” SW Coach Ron Bauer said of the Bulldogs’ goal-line stand.
In its two games this season, O’Neill has not allowed a point. Conversely, SW (0-2, 0-1 Class B) has yet to put a point on the scoreboard. In Saturday’s game, however, the Bulldogs had a touchdown called back because of a clipping penalty.
The Bulldog defense was doing something positive, sacking O’Neill quarterback Mike Miller eight times on the afternoon.
Offensively, the Bulldogs only got five first downs and totaled 95 yards.
Bauer noted that losing two offensive starters to injuries in the first half forced his team to make some adjustments.
“Overall we played pretty well under the circumstances,” the veteran coach said.
O’Neill’s Matt Zielinski had two touchdowns and rushed for 164 yards. One of his touchdowns came on the second play of the game, giving the Raiders an early lead and momentum.
“We played better than last week,” Bauer said. “(We played) good defense throughout the game and keeping them on our two was great. We got it together and overall played a good game.”