Woodlan wins the Sectional Title after winning the first three games the tournament. More pictures at westbendnews.net
WOODBURN – Senior quarterback Justin Durkes completed 10 of 14 passes and threw for 209 yards and four touchdown to lead the Woodlan Warriors to a 44-19 win over Central Noble in Class 2A sectional championship action in Woodburn Friday night.
Durkes completed scoring strikes of 12, 45, 55 and 14 yards as Woodlan improved to 10-2 overall on the season and will take on North Newton this coming Friday night. The Spartans are 8-4 on the season and are coming off of a 38-14 win at Boone Groove last week.
It was visiting Central Noble who actually struck first in Friday’s contest when Logan Pease picked off a Durkes pass and returned it for a touchdown to put the Cougars on top 7-0.
However, Woodlan quickly answered as Jack Rhoades capped a Warrior drive with a two yard plunge that put the Warrior on top 8-7 after one quarter. Rhoades would go on to finish the night with 149 yards on 23 carries for Woodlan.
The host Warriors extended the lead to 15-7 on a 12-yard scoring pass from Durkes to Amarion Hicks but Central Noble would respond.
Braxton Dial scored from one-yard out to get the Cougars within 15-13 midway through the quarter but that would be as close as Central Noble would get.
Rhoades again found the end zone for Woodlan, this time from five yards out as the Warriors extended the lead to 22-13 at halftime.
The Cougars started the second half scoring on a 37-yard touchdown toss from Nick Alwine to Trey Phillips, pulling within 22-19, but it was all Woodlan from that point forward. Rhoades was removed from the game and the next due to his somersault while catching the pass, the referree claimed he his foot kicked an opposing player when rolling over.
Durkes added touchdown passes of 45 and 55 yards to Ah’Lan Howard before finishing the scoring on a 14-yard scoring strike to Aaron Hahn.
Rhoades totaled 149 yards on the ground for Woodlan over 23 carries while Hahn and Howard each had three receptions for the Warriors.
The Warriors will travel to North Newton (Morocco, IN) on November 10. Woodlan is now 10-2 and the Spartans are 8-4. Woodlan may have the upperhand on record but the Spartans were considered to be in a tougher football region and they have the home field advantage. The Warriors will need to work hard to be prepared for this match!
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