By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
NORTH VERNON – During an all-business road trip to start the postseason journey, Bedford North Lawrence’s defense got upgraded to first class.
Spending more time behind the enemy line than a spy on a covert operation, the Stars treated Jennings County’s diversionary offense like baggage handlers on the tarmac, throwing luggage around without regard to their destination. Flying BNL’s skies was not very friendly.
BNL punched its ticket to the second round of Class 4A Sectional 23 with an overwhelming performance, crushing the Panthers for the second time this season while posting a 50-0 triumph on Friday night. Brody Horton scored four touchdowns, and the Stars (7-3) recorded the second shutout in the program’s postseason history while advancing to battle Shelbyville in the semifinal.
From takeoff to landing, this was a smooth flight as BNL recorded a sectional win for the fourth straight year and for only the 15th time in 55 chances. The Stars scored during each of their first seven possessions, and the Panthers (2-8) crossed midfield only once. That’s complete dominance. Worried about a lack of respect for an overmatched opponent, after posting a 63-0 victory during the regular-season clash? BNL took this very seriously.
“Don’t take them lightly,” Horton said. “Get in and get out. It’s playoff time.”
BNL encountered no turbulence. The Stars scored fast and often, while the Panthers managed only two first downs in the first half. BNL triggered the running clock for the entire second half with another mercy-rule conquest of Jennings, beating the former Hoosier Hills Conference neighbor for the 11th straight time in the series.
“We were ready,” BNL senior lineman Brady Byers said. “We didn’t take anything for granted.”
The Stars roared down the runway for liftoff. The first drive – five plays to five different skill players – set the tone as Horton crashed home from 14 yards. Next possession, an explosive score as Dayton Kirby hit Malakai Goodman on a short swing pass, allowing Goodman to jet up the right sideline for a 40-yard, one-snap touchdown.
BNL’s next drive was set up by Driven Axson’s fumble recovery. Four plays later, Horton hammered over from 10 yards for a 21-0 lead. The Stars added three more touchdowns in the second quarter. Horton capped an eight-play march with a 3-yard dive, then Kirby connected with Parker Kern for another one-play eruption. Kern took a short pass and converted that into a 50-yard breakaway.
The final first-half drive was the longest, nine plays with Kirby hitting five straight passes. Kern caught two, including a 12-yard slant to the 1, and he finished it off with his own rare rushing touchdown for a 42-0 advantage at the half.
BNL finished the scoring on the first drive of the third quarter, with Horton exploding 57 yards past uninterested tacklers.
“On offense, our execution was almost flawless,” Tidd said. “We did a nice job. That’s what I want. Spread the ball around, get everybody going early and get in the end zone.”
Horton finished with a season-high 124 rushing yards (on only 10 carries). Kirby completed 12 of 14 passes for 149 yards and two scores. Not bad for basically a half’s work.
“We really reset the line of scrimmage every time,” Horton said. “Our line moved guys around, that’s what allowed me to have the game I had. It was the O-line.”
“Brody has really stepped it up, he’s been really good,” Tidd said. “But you can’t get there without the big boys up front. That’s one of the better games the big boys have played all year long. They’re playing good ball at the right time.”
On the other side, Jennings went without a first down on its first six possessions. Nine of its first 19 plays ended with no gain or negative yards. BNL’s only other tournament shutout was a 17-0 win over Floyd Central in 2015.
“That’s the side of the ball that brings all the juice,” Tidd said. “I’m very proud of those guys. That’s tough to do, especially in the postseason. We took care of business, did what we asked them to do. This could be the last game, you need to grow up to tell your family you gave everything you had.”
BNL will host Shelbyville in the semifinal next week. The Golden Bears (5-5) bounced Connersville 35-14 for their first sectional win since 2015.
“It’s amazing,” Horton said. “I can’t believe it’s happening.”
In the bottom half of the sectional bracket, Martinsville (4-6) rallied for a thrilling 35-31 win over Greenwood, while Charlestown (8-2) smacked Silver Creek 51-26. The Pirates will visit the Artesians in the semifinal.
Bedford NL 21 21 8 0 – 50
Jennings Co. 0 0 0 0 – 0
First quarter
BNL – Brody Horton, 14 run (Parker Beeson kick), 7:43; BNL – Malakai Goodman, 40 pass from Dayson Kirby (Beeson kick), 5:18; BNL – Horton, 10 run (Beeson kick), 3:14
Second quarter
BNL – Horton, 3 run (Beeson kick), 10:55; BNL – Parker Kern, 50 pass from Kirby (Beeson kick), 8:34; BNL – Kern, 1 run (Beeson kick)
Third quarter
BNL – Horton, 57 run (Luke Morris run), 10:22
Team statistics
BNL – First downs 13 (7 by run, 6 by pass); Rushing 26-200; Passing 12-15-0-149; Total yards 349; Fumbles 1 (lost 1); Penalties 5-50
JC – First downs 7 (6 by run, 1 by penalty); Rushing 31-72; Passing 5-11-0-7; Total yards 79; Fumbles 2 (lost 1); Penalties 5-55
Individual statistics
Rushing – (BNL) Horton 10-124, Goodman 1-19, Gilbert 103, Chastain 2-16, Kern 1-1, Restall 3-1, Hildum 5-27, Allender 3-9; (JC) Franks 12-14, Patterson 10-38, McCory 4-14, Lawson 4-5, Maschino 1-1
Passing – (BNL) Kirby 12-14-0-149, Chastain 0-1-0-0; (JC) Franks 5-11-0-7
Receiving – (BNL) Kern 4-74, Gates 3-22, Gilbert 3-28, Goodman 2-25; (JC) McCory 1-3, Harrison 2-6, Hernandez 1-(-1), Patterson 1-(-1)
