The loss results in Sheffield going winless for the year, but Sheffield head coach Mike Barr is not focusing as much on record, as he is on team goals and building for next season.

“We measure our little goals,” said Barr. “Colby (Barr) was able to read a couple things and make some changes. That’s a step in the right direction. We feel we could have scored a couple times in the first and second quarter. We’re transitioning more to a football team that has two coaches for defense and two coaches for offense, and we’re trusting in each other.”

Cherry, who topped 1,000 yards on his career during the game off of a run midway through the first quarter, racked up 158 yards and four touchdowns on the ground while also throwing for another on his only pass of the game, a 42-yard strike to tight end Joe Tettis early in the second quarter.

“Told the kids both times we have played them that he is the real deal,” said Barr of Cherry. “A true athlete. Such a great accomplishment.”

Times Observer Photo by Cody Elms Sheffield Junior Christopher Joblon makes a crucial tackle late in the fourth quarter to force a turnover on downs that set up the Wolverines lone score of the day in a 55-8 loss to visiting Elk County Catholic.

The Crusaders started out fast, with a 47-yard run by Cherry just a few minutes into the first. This was followed up by 6 and 8-yard touchdown runs by Charlie Geci and Ben Reynolds to give Elk County an early 20-0 lead. The Wolverines were able to force one turnover in the first, a fumble recovered by Matt Lobdell.

Following the Cherry passing score, the running back would run away with the game, scoring two more times before the half to give the Crusaders a 41-0 halftime lead.

The Wolverines’ lone score came late in the fourth quarter, down 48-0. On the Crusaders’ 38, Gage Mott-Macalush broke loose for a 21-yard run, and an Elk County penalty added another 15 to the play.

Quarterback Colby Barr hit Jeremiah Richardson for a 13-yard pass, which the two would follow up with an 11-yard connection for the score. Matt Lobdell, a Wolverine senior, run in the 2-point conversion around the right side for Sheffield. It was a bittersweet ending for the Wolverines’ four seniors, Lobdell, Mott-Macalush, Owen Cable and Mason Silvis.

“Owen Cable, that kid came in with determination this year that he was going to make a difference,” said Barr. “Coach Todd said it, the kid always has a smile on his face. Mason Silvis, what an addition. He is proof that one player can make a difference. Other kids look at him and say he did make a difference. Heart of gold. Matt Lobdell, that kid was the jack of all trades this year. He asked me in the offseason what he needed to do to run the ball, and I told him and he listened, followed everything in the offseason, but when it came down to brass tacks, second week, it was realized that he’s gotta go down to the line, he never complained, and that’s why we let him run the ball on the two-point conversion. Gage is the one that is just a true leader. He was like having another coach out there.”

Elk County 20 21 7 7 — 55

Sheffield 0 0 0 8 — 8

First Quarter

E–Noah Cherry run 47, (conversion failed), 9:49.

E–Charlie Geci run 6, (Cherry kick), 5:01.

E–Ben Reynolds run 8, (Cherry kick), 2:45.

Second Quarter

E–Joe Tettis 42 pass from Cherry, (Cherry kick), 11:47.

E–Cherry run 21, (Charlie Geci run), 6:17.

E–Cherry run 7, (kick failed), 4:11.

Third Quarter

E–Cherry run 10, (Cherry kick), 3:25.

Fourth Quarter

S–Jeremiah Richardson 11 pass from Colby Barr, (Matt Lobdell run), 2:19.

E–Reynolds 52 run, (Cherry kick), 1:10.

E S

Offensive plays 42 43

First downs 11 6

Total Net Yards 366 83

Rushes-yards 39-326 19-33

Passing 42 50

Comp-Att-Int 1-3-0 6-24-2

Fumbles-Lost 3-1 1-0

Penalties-Yards 7-75 5-38

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Elk County, Cherry 15-158-4TD, Reynolds 6-91-2TD, Frankie Smith 4-58, Charlie Geci 2-15-TD, Joe Toncich 7-6, Isaac Dellaquila 4-4, Shawn Geci 1-(-6); Sheffield, Gage Mott-Macalush 9-27, Barr 5-3, Richardson 1-3, Jarami Manning 4-0.

PASSING–Elk County, Cherry 1-1-42-TD, Charlie Geci 0-1-0, Reynolds 0-1-0; Sheffield Barr 6-24-50-TD-2INT.

RECEIVING–Elk County, Tettis 1-42-TD; Sheffield, Dylan Hardwick 2-30, Richardson 2-24-TD, Chase Kyler 1-(-4), Mason Silvis 1-0