By Evan Merrill
NKyTribune reporter
Ryle and senior running back Jacob Chisholm made a statement in a historic convincing 56-38 victory over the previously unbeaten Simon Kenton Pioneers on Friday night at Simon Kenton.
Chisholm asked for a drink of water prior to being interviewed – in the regard, that’s about as tired as Chisholm got, rushing 46 times for 450 yards and six touchdowns – all Ryle records.
Here come the Raiders (Photo by Lisa Smith)
“There’s no words for how good Jake Chisholm is,” Ryle coach Mike Engler said. “He’ll be successful in whatever he does.”
The two teams traded the ball much of the first quarter until Chisholm broke the game wide open – an 80-yard touchdown, one of his six touchdowns of the night.
The Pioneers followed with one of their few sustaining drives of the first half, but were forced to settle for a field goal.
Shortly after, Ryle senior quarterback Easton Pilyer tossed a 59-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Stefan Clarkson – immediately followed the next play by a pick-six by junior cornerback Jake Smith off Simon Kenton senior quarterback Matt Shearer, giving the Raiders a 21-3 lead.
As the Pioneers failed to muster offensive rhythm as the Raider defenders swarmed Shearer, Ryle quickly followed with an eight play, 81 yard drive, capped off by another Chisholm touchdown rush.
Jacob Chisholm goes for the touchdown
The Pioneers finally managed a sustainable drive, on a six play, 72 yard drive, off a 41-yard touchdown pass by Shearer to senior wide receiver Sam Murray – ending the half down 28-10.
The second half turned into a shootout, as the two teams scored 28 points in the second half. Due to Ryle and Chisholm repeatedly answering, the Pioneers failed to bring the gap closer than 11.
“I was just thinking after they scored, “We need to go down and get a score.”” Chisholm said. “We just have to keep this lead as best we can. We knew SK had the ability to score quick – they did against Highlands down nine with two minutes left, so we knew they had that ability and every time we had the ball we had to score and couldn’t let them come back.”
Although the game turned into a shootout, the Raiders relied heavily on their defense for the victory – intercepting Shearer twice, one for a touchdown, and sacking Shearer six times.
“Our defense came ready to play, unfortunately we had a few people banged up and they had to change a few things they did. . . .,” coach Engler said. “Hats off to Coach Marksberry, he made some adjustments at halftime and came out in the second half – they made us have to work for stuff in the second half.”
Ryle offense takes the field.
Shearer finished with 303 passing yards and three touchdowns for the Pioneers in the loss. Shearer and the Pioneer offense just failed to overcome the 25 point deficit despite the rally.
The Raiders move to 7-2 with the victory, winning their last three since the close loss to Indianapolis Cathedral.
“It’s just a great win for our team,” Chisholm said. “We needed this momentum heading into the playoffs, we need to continue the momentum against Dixie, and then just carry that through the playoffs and the state championship.”
Ryle 7 21 7 21
Simon Kenton 0 10 14 14
Ryle – Chisholm 80 run (Molique kick)
SK – Seger field goal
Ryle – Pilyer 59 pass to Clarkson (Molique kick)
Ryle – Smith 20 interception return (Molique kick)
Ryle – Chisholm 16 run (Molique kick)
SK – Shearer 41 pass to Murray (Seger kick)
SK – Shearer 21 pass to Murray (Seger kick)
Ryle – Chisholm 3 run (Molique kick)
SK – Hammack 24 run (Seger kick)
Ryle – Chisholm 20 run (Molique kick)
SK – Shearer 65 pass to Hayden (Seger kick)
Ryle – Chisholm 63 run (Molique kick)
SK – Sergent 1 run (Seger kick)
Ryle – Chisholm 7 run (Molique kick)
#9 Jake Smith and #3 Elijah Cusick on the tackle
