ALEDO – Noah Jilek rushed for 195 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Graham Steers (7-3) to a 35-14 bi-district win over Sanger Friday at Bearcat Stadium.
Jilke put the game away with a 52-yard TD run in the fourth quarter after Sanger had cut the lead to 28-14.
The Graham defense came up with two huge fourth down stops in the red zone to keep Sanger from keeping the game close. The Indians had 332 total yards, just 14 yards less than Graham’s 346 total yards, but twice failed to punch the ball into the end zone after driving inside Graham’s 5-yard line.
The first big stop came in the final minute of the first half with Graham leading 21-8. The Indians had driven to Graham’s 3, but the Steer defense sacked quarterback Rylan Smart on fourth down to end the threat. Smart threw for 264 yards in the game.
Sanger also drove to Graham’s 3-yard line in the fourth quarter before a Graham was able to come up with a stop with the help of a couple of penalties.
The Graham defense also got an interception from Colton Ligon and a fumble recovery that set up Jilek’s 52-yard TD to seal the game.
Graham will face Synder in the area round next week.
SCORING
G – Noah Jilek 1 run. (Jaron Noble kick) 7-0
G – Ty Thompson 1 run (Noble kick) 14-0
S – Steven Bush 36 pass from Rylan Smart. (Smart run) 14-8
G – Jilek 2 run. (Noble kick) 21-8
G – Lawson Weinniger 8 pass from Thompson. (Noble kick) 28-8
S – Colby Lewis 2 run (Run failed) 28-14
G – Jilek 52 run. (Noble kick) 35-14
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