Switzerland County Athletics

GREENSBURG, Ind. — The Switzerland County Pacers traveled to Greensburg Friday night looking to find some consistency on the heels of a difficult stretch, but North Decatur controlled the game from the second quarter on, defeating the Pacers 42-6. The two teams played a scoreless opening quarter before North Decatur broke through in the second period. The Chargers scored three touchdowns, including an 11-yard run, a 35-yard touchdown pass and an interception return, to take a 22-0 lead into halftime. North Decatur continued to build its advantage in the third quarter, scoring on touchdown runs of one and two yards to push the lead to 36-0. Switzerland County finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter when Aiden Mosley scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. Mason Hempfling's extra-point attempt was unsuccessful. North Decatur answered with a 6-yard touchdown pass to finish the scoring at 42-6. The Chargers controlled the statistical battle, finishing with 393 yards of total offense, including 268 rushing yards and 125 passing yards. Switzerland County finished with 127 total yards — 64 rushing and 63 passing — and recorded eight first downs. Brackston Sullivan led the Pacers' rushing attack with 68 yards on 16 carries, while Mosley completed 5 of 10 passes for 63 yards. Masin Stroud continued to be a primary target, catching three passes for 58 yards, including a 47-yard reception to set up the Pacers lone touchdown. Mosley also rushed nine times for -12 yards and scored Switzerland County's lone touchdown. Defensively, three Pacers — Haiden Rohrbach, Brady Jones and Stroud — each recorded six tackles to lead the team. Peyton Stewart added four tackles, while Mason Hempfling recorded two tackles, an assist and an interception. Grayson Levell added two tackles and a tackle for loss. The Pacers also had a strong night from the punting game, with Drake Ketterer averaging 37 yards on four punts, including a long of 51 yards. Coach Ryan Jesop said the Pacers are still working to establish their identity as injuries have forced the team to adjust and rely on younger players in important roles. “We're still trying to find our identity as a football team right now. We've been hit with a series of key injuries, and that has forced some young guys into roles they weren't necessarily expecting to be in this early in their careers. That's part of football, and there's no excuse for it, but it does make the process of figuring out who we are and what we do well a little more difficult.” Jesop said the Pacers have to continue to focus on improving despite the adversity. “We're not going to feel sorry for ourselves. Injuries are part of the game, and the young guys who are getting opportunities have to take advantage of them. We have to continue to coach them, put them in positions where they can be successful and find the things we can hang our hat on. We're still fighting, and we're going to keep working to get this thing going in the right direction.” The Pacers finished the night with 43 offensive plays compared with 51 for North Decatur and committed two turnovers. North Decatur also turned the ball over twice, but the Chargers' ability to establish the run and create explosive plays allowed them to maintain control throughout the contest. Switzerland County will look to regroup and continue developing its young roster as the Pacers prepare to take on the Edinburgh Lancers and host the YPAC little leaguers for Youth Night, this coming Friday.