The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The West Prairie-La Harpe Cyclones took the long ride down for the first time to new West Central Conference member Pleasant Plains and came away with a 48-6 victory over the host Cardinals. The win, though not always pretty, allowed the Cyclones to move their record up to 3-2 in the WCC and 4-2 overall.
The Cyclones were spearheaded on this night by a huge game by junior halfback Joel DeCounter. DeCounter accounted for 5 touchdowns and 249 yards from scrimmage on offense, while also adding 3 tackles and an interception on defense. His totals included 225 yards rushing on 13 carries and a touchdown reception for 24 yards.
The Cyclones were a little snake-bit at the games outset after the initial drive produced a 53 yard touchdown run by DeCounter. Junior place kicker Matt Woolam added the first of his 3 successful PAT kicks for a quick 7-0 Cyclone advantage.
Penalties and an inadvertent whistle by the officials combined to keep WP-LH out of the end zone for the games next 15 minutes. Fortunately the Cyclone defense was able to keep Pleasant Plains at bay while the Cyclone offense tried to get its act together.
Finally, DeCounter broke loose on a 45 yard counter over the left side to put WP-LH on the board again. A good double team block by tight end Randy Bray and left tackle, Ryan Mullenix, opened the initial hole for DeCounter. Nice trap blocks by right guard and tackle J. D. Hobby and James Markey secured the edge and sprang DeCounter to the perimeter where his speed did the rest.
The 2nd quarter saw WP-LH score twice more before the intermission. The first came on a 25 yard pass from senior quarterback Kevin Mershon to DeCounter. DeCounter followed that up later with a 32-yard run to give the Cyclone's some breathing room at the break. A conversion run by senior fullback Eric Swank made the halftime score 27-0 for the visitors.
WP-LH would score two more times the 3rd period. Mershon netted the first score with a 14 yard dash around the right end behind good blocks from halfback Brian Butterfield and tight end Tyler Sharpe. Woolam split the uprights on his PAT kick for a 34-0 edge.
The second score of the 3rd period was DeCounter's 5th touchdown. On his only touch of the 2nd half, DeCounter raced 58 yards down the left sideline. Woolam was again true on the place kick for a 41-0 advantage.
The Cyclones final score came on a nice drive by the teams 2nd unit offense. Senior halfback Jesse Palmer did the bulk of the damage with a 35 yard run set up by a nice block from senior tight end Justin Sparrow. Palmer then pounded it in for the final 3 yards and the score three plays later. Sophomore Dustin Derby added the PAT kick for the 48th Cyclone point.
Offensively the Cyclones picked up 489 total yards, with 447 of those on the ground. Ground gainers besides DeCounter included Swank (12 carries for 83), Mershon (7 for 50), Woolam (3 for 26), Butterfield (3 for 17), Palmer (5 for 49), Skyler Pence, Kylen Carpenter, Jason Coplan, and Derrick Daudelin.
Quarterback Kevin Mershon completed 2 of his 6 pass attempts for 42 yards and a score. Besides DeCounter's scoring grab, Swank caught the other completion on an 18 yard screen.
Defensively, the Cyclones tackle chart was topped by Swank (13 tackles), and Woolam (9 tackles). Also on the hit parade were Sharpe (5), Coplan (5), Justin Ward (5), Blake Harper (3), Brian Rodeffer (3), Kylen Carpenter (3), DeCounter (3), Dustin Derry (2), Palmer (2), Butterfield (2), Skyler Pence (2), Evan Wisely (2), Bryce James (2), Jeremy McCoy, Jacob Markey, and Randy Bray.
Ward, Coplan, Sharpe, Woolam, Carpenter, Swank, Derry, Wisely, James, and Harper all had tackles for loss in the contest. DeCounter and Pence each had interceptions, and Woolam and DeCounter also recovered Cardinal fumbles.
The Cyclones will return to action this week against West Hancock on Friday night. That game will be at La Harpe and will kick off at 7:00 p.m.