Running Game Powers Worth County To District 4 Championship
Worth County’s running game produced over 450 yards rushing, and Dylan McIntyre picked off 3 passes during the night as Worth County defeated East Atchison 76-42 to win the 8-Man District 4 Championship at Matteson Field in Grant City Friday night.
Worth County started fast by getting a 3-and-out on defense and struck on their second offensive play from scrimmage. Quarterback Aydan Gladstone ran a counter option for 59 yards and a touchdown for a 6-0 lead 2:43 into the game. The Tigers then held East Atchison on a 4th-and-short on the Wolves 15 yard line and punched in a second quick touchdown for a 12-0 lead. The two teams then traded touchdowns over a 34 second span of game time when Kaylin Merriweather scored his first of 4 touchdowns on the night from 27 yards. Gladstone followed with another 35-yard run for the Tigers, but Jarrett Spinnato burst up the middle for a 53-yard run for East Atchison.
There were 3 more touchdowns in about a 1:40 stretch early in the 2nd quarter. Dylan McIntyre hauled in a 43-yard touchdown catch against excellent coverage. Kaylin Merriweather found the edge for a 65-yard touchdown run, and Aydan Gladstone reached 177 yards rushing with 9:12 still to play in the 2nd quarter with a 55-yard touchdown run for Worth County, and the Tigers led 32-22. Worth County’s Dylan McIntyre then intercepted a pass that led to the first of 5 Alex Rinehart touchdown runs. The Tigers then forced a punt, and Rinehart scored on a 43-yard jaunt as the Tigers extended to 48-22. Worth County would lead 48-28 at halftime.
Worth County dominated the 3rd quarter with 3 touchdowns, all scored by Rinehart, and led 70-28 at the end of the 3rd.
Tigers Football Coach Jon Adwell says early defense allowed the Tigers to get some separation and force East Atchison to chase.
East Atchison did respond with 4 first-half touchdowns, but the Tigers countered with quick scores themselves.
Alex Rinehart had runs of 22, 18, 44, 27, 22, and 34 and ran for 230 yards. Aydan Gladstone ran for 211. He also threw for 80 yards and a touchdown. East Atchison finishes the season 10-2. Worth County heads to North Shelby for the semi-finals with a record of 12-0.
Full Postgame Interview With Worth County Coach Jon Adwell
Other 8 man football scores
District 1- North Shelby 60 St Paul Lutheran 12
District 3-King City 42 LeBlond 28
District 4-Drexel 90 Archie 42