In what was really nothing more than a tuneup game before the Western Indiana Conference championship game next week, Indian Creek’s offense ran smoothly and consistently in a 41-0 win over Cloverdale.
The victory sets up the Braves’ title game at Class 4A No. 9 Northview next Friday.
The Braves rolled up 478 total yards against Cloverdale, with a balanced rushing and passing attack.
Seniors Avery Welch and Isaiah Lacey accounted for most of the yardage, and they only played in the first half. Welch ran for three 139 yards and three touchdowns. Lacey ran for 125 yards and a touchdown, and he also passed for 152 yards and two scores as the Braves roared out to a 41-0 halftime lead.
“Except for the first two times we had the ball, the offense kicked it in,” Indian Creek coach Brett Cooper said. “A good night for us.”
The win was Indian Creek’s third straight. Additionally, they ended the Clovers’ (2-6) modest two-game winning streak.
Except for a bit of a sputter on their first two possessions, the Braves were nearly flawless the rest of the way.
Lacey opened the scoring by tossing a 33-yard pass to Reid Crowell, and he then raced 85 yards virtually untouched to demoralize the Clovers.
Welch then ran for three straight scores.
Defensively, the Braves were pretty good too. Indian Creek held the Clovers to 145 total yards and forced a turnover.
“We did a pretty good job of stopping them,” Cooper said. “Defense did a good job.”
If Indian Creek had any problem, it was with penalties; the Braves were flagged eight times for 85 yards.
“We don’t teach (penalties),” Cooper said. “We were a bit undisciplined at times.”
Vinny Green wrapped the Braves’ scoring by hauling in a 7-yard pass from Lacey.
Indian Creek (5-3, 5-0) now turns its attention to unbeaten Northview.
“We’re 0-2 in those (WIC title) games,” Cooper said. “We’re going in there and hopefully come back with one for the East Division.”
