Sophomore Football: Harrisburg gets back at West Frankfort

The Harrisburg High School sophomore football team took out some last season frustration on West Frankfort Monday night, beating the Redbirds 32-8.

Harrisburg head coach Kyle McGowan praised the Bulldog defense and said anytime you can hold an opponent to one score, you give yourself an opportunity to come away with a win.

"I thought our kids played a great game," McGowan said. "Our defense really played well from our defensive line to the linebackers through to the secondary. It was by far the best that our defense has played."

As good as the Harrisburg defense was, the offense also stepped up the to challenge.

Matt Upchurch got the scoring going in the second quarter with a seven-yard score, while Dalton Drone provided the extra point. After Peyton Jackson recovered a Redbird fumble on West Frankfort's next possession, Upchurch scored from three yards out with 2:49 left in the first half.

Xavier Doss scored from 38 yards out right before halftime as Harrisburg took a 19-0 lead into the locker room.

Doss opened up scoring in the second half with a 47-yard run, while Drone provided the PAT as Harrisburg built a 26-0 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Brandon Sherrod returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown with 9:44 to go in the game, making it a 32-0 ballgame.

West Frankfort's lone score came at the halfway mark of the final period.

"I thought our offensive line blocked well and that our backs had some nice runs," McGowan added.

The sophomore game with Massac County next Monday has been cancelled due to lack of numbers in the Patriot program. With the forfeit win, Harrisburg is now 3-2 on the year.