Linton-Stockton holds off Greencastle in thriller

Heading into Friday's Class 2A Sectional 39 championship, Greencastle head coach Dave Stephens predicted people would be surprised when the clock struck 10 p.m. and they looked at the score on John Harrell's website. 

After falling 46-14 on Sept. 28 to Linton-Stockton, Stephens believed his team had a chance to shock everyone by knocking off the Miners. 

And, he was almost right, as the Tiger Cubs (5-7) fell just short to Linton-Stockton (10-2) Friday, and had a chance. 

After falling behind 42-31 after a 64-yard touchdown catch by Greencastle wide receiver Trevin Long, the Tiger Cubs were able to add another score, as Anthony Adams reeled in a 63-yard touchdown pass and a successful two-point conversion cut the lead to 42-39 with 11 minutes left. 

Greencastle's defense stepped up and held Linton-Stockton on its next possession, giving the offense the ball and a chance to score a touchdown or kick a field goal. The Tiger Cubs would opt for a 50-yard field attempt from Ian Williamson and it just missed wide left, allowing the Miners a chance to run out the clock and begin celebrating a sectional title. 

"I couldn't be prouder of our kids. Sometimes, outcomes are outcomes but all you can worry about is the process, and I really genuinely believe that. Our kids showed as much resiliency as I have ever been around. They believed in doing things the right way. They worked hard, and it just didn't work out for them tonight. I love the way we played, the energy and effort. Sometimes things just don't go your way, and it is a hat tip to the other tip. They are a power house for a reason, and we are trying to build our program up to that point," Greencastle head coach Dave Stephens said. 

Greencastle struck first in the game, as Williamson drilled a 46-yard field goal to put the Tiger Cubs ahead 3-0. Linton-Stockton answered right back as Paul Oliver caught a pass from Braylon McBride and went 57 yards for a touchdown. A successful two point conversion put the Miners ahead 8-3. Moments later, the Miners would tack on another score as Cooper Smith scored from seven yards out to push the lead to 14-3. The lead would swell to 20-3 as Oliver caught another touchdown pass. 

Despite the deficit, Greencastle continued to battle back with a pair of touchdowns to trim the deficit. The first was an 80 yard touchdown run by Caiden Blodgett and three minutes later, Trevin Long was on the receiving end of a 30-yard pass from quarterback Cole Stephens, to cut the lead to 20-18. 

The Miners would use a personal foul penalty and a 22 yard run from Jesse Voigtschild to set up a three yard touchdown scamper from Smith to push the lead to 28-18 right before the half. 

The halftime break did little to slow down Greencastle, as the Tiger Cubs came out throwing early and often on its first possession in the third quarter, which ended with a two yard run by Brayden Monroe, trimming the lead to 28-24 after a failed two point conversion. 

Linton would respond with back to back touchdowns to push the lead to 42-24, setting the stage for the late heroics from Greencastle. 

The Tiger Cubs end the season at 5-7 and battled injuries and a rough start to the season. 

Stephens said the success the last month was a credit to his players and assistant coaches. 

"Nobody packed up or packed in. If anyone has watched us the last month, they can see just what kind of football team the Tiger Cubs are. I couldn't be prouder of our guys, no matter what that scoreboard says. We are champions because they stayed true to the process and believed," Stephens said. 

Greencastle quarterback Cole Stephens was 27-of-35 for 384 yards, while Long caught eight balls for 203 yards. Blodgett finished with 91 yards on four carries. 

Linton-Stockton quarterback Braylon McBride was 8-of-15 for 141 yards, while Paul Oliver caught four passes for 108 yards and Jesse Voigtschild rushed 18 times for 184 yards. 

The Miners will host Brownstown Central in the regional after Brownstown Central (12-0) defeated Tell City.