Fred Stabbert III | Democrat Sullivan West defensive end Zach O’Connor was able to get his hands around Hunter Kolvenbach later in the game, dropping the junior quarterback for a loss. O’Connor would also earn the team’s player of the game honors for registering five sacks for losses.

SW recovers with easy win over Eldred

Story by Fred Stabbert III
ELDRED – September 24, 2013 — A week’s rest and the return of some key players from the taxi squad seemed to agree with the Sullivan West Bulldogs as they raced to a 40-6 victory over host Eldred on Friday night.
The non-league game upped the Bulldogs season record to 1-1 and showcased the team at full strength for the first time.
Eldred started the game on a high note, scoring the second time they had the ball. Tailback Julian Gottlieb broke off tackle and scampered 73 yards up the left sideline to put Eldred ahead 6-0 at the 5:17 mark of the first quarter.
Sullivan West responded with three touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 19-6 lead into the lockerroom.
The first score came on a 28-yard pass play from quarterback Rich Shevak to flanker Jared Meola to tie the score at 6.
On Eldred’s very next offensive play, Bulldog defensive end Cody Franskevicz broke upfield just as Eldred QB Hunter Kolvenbach was trying to hit Nick Warren on a flanker screen.
Franskevicz intercepted the pass and returned it all the way to the 20-yard line to set up Sullivan West’s next scoring drive. Tailback Andrew Stabbert took the ball down to the five-yard line on a 15-yard blast up the middle to set up a five-yard touchdown sweep by Eli Peters for a 12-6 lead.
The third touchdown of the second quarter came just three minutes later as Eldred was forced to punt and Meola returned the ball all the way to the 14 yard line.
Stabbert then ran up the middle to the five-yard line and went off tackle for the touchdown with 6:15 remaining. Michael Sedlack made the PAT for a 19-6 lead.
The second half was more of the same as Sullivan West’s defense tightened and its offense became more comfortable running the option.
Eldred head coach Mike Hoover said, “Sullivan West ran the option effectively tonight. Our kids never gave up and played right to the final whistle.”
Coming off a disappointing loss in the season opener again John S. Burke, Sullivan West Head Coach Ron Bauer was happy with the outcome.
“We improved a lot,” he said. “Our line picked up and, except for that one play by Gottlieb, our defense played well.
“We had some good hard running and our option reads were good, too,” Bauer said. “We got our people back and they are starting to play.”
Sullivan West’s final three scoring plays were a six-yard run by Richard Shevak at the 9:15 mark of the third quarter. A Sedlack PAT made it 25-6.
Shevak added another touchdown run five minutes later from the half yard line to make it 33-6 and the final touchdown came on a 70-yard quick pitch left to Meola who found paydirt with 5:40 left in game.
Sullivan West will travel to Millbrook this Friday for their first league game of the season at 7 p.m. while Eldred heads to Tri-Valley for a Friday night non-league at 8 p.m.

GAME STATISTICS
Sullivan West (1-1)
Rushing – Stabbert 11-97; Shevak 11-85; Meola 3-80
Passing – Shevak 5-9, 60 yds, 1 TD
Receiving – Meola 3-50
Tackles – Stabbert 16, Franskevicz 11; K. Hart 9, Mirch 9; S. Hart 6

Eldred (0-3)
Rushing – Gottlieb 20-140; N. Warren 10-46
Tackles – N. Warren 6; T. Warren 6; Gottlieb 6