Western Boone Jr. - Sr. High School

In a preview of a future Monon Athletic Conference match-up, the Western Boone football team took care of business in the sectional opener against North Putnam. WeBo jumped out to a 21-0 lead with a scoring barrage in the second quarter, then kept the Cougars at an arm's length in a 56-27 win. "They are a tough team to prepare for," Western Boone head coach Justin Pelley said. "They have a dynamic quarterback, you are getting a lot of different formations and our defense did a heck of a job. We got touchdowns in all three phases, two in special teams and it was a hard fought victory. It was kind of a statement game for us, since they are coming into our conference next year - they will be good next year too." Special teams played a huge part in the Stars' victory. Leading 7-0 after a Jacob Smith touchdown, WeBo got prime field position when North Putnam snapped the ball over Christian Kramer's head. A play later Brandon Potter threw a touchdown to Marcus Fortner to make it 14-0. After North Putnam was forced to punt after its next drive, and Blake Wasson extended the lead with a long punt touchdown. "He is just that guy," Pelley said. "We ask him to do a lot. He's on kick return, on kick-off he is making tackles and then he's at safety - it's just getting him in the right spot. He is going to go 100 miles per hour wherever he's going, so we are trying to give him a few things and hopefully he does them well. He's a special kid." Wasson added a second punt return touchdown in the second half, maneuvering his way past Cougar tacklers to score. "Everybody did their job up front, all the way to the end zone," Wasson said. "I think the first one was a big momentum swing for the whole team." This is Wasson's first and only year at Western Boone after coming from Avon this summer. freestar While it could be tough to head into a new environment for your senior year, Wasson has embraced the WeBo culture and has been a key part to the success. "I love this team," Wasson said. "I have never had a team like this before, it's something special. I love it." The game-deciding play came early in the second half for the Stars. North Putnam cut the lead to 21-6 at halftime and got the ball to start the second half. The Cougars drove into Western Boone territory, and seemed poised to make it a long score game. But when the Stars needed a big play they got it from freshman Levi Adkins, who got a pick-6 to restore the three score lead. "That's all (defensive coordinator) Travis Brunes," Pelley said. "It's a play he knew was coming and we worked on it all week. It's called 'six' for a reason. Levi made a great play on that. They put you in some binds and they have some good kids, but our guys made some plays tonight too." The teams traded scores nearly the rest of the way. North Putnam scored three second half touchdowns, but the Stars got touchdowns runs from Smith, Fortner and Potter to keep at least a two score lead the entire way. Now 8-2 on the season, the Stars have a big challenge next Friday, traveling to unbeaten Lafayette Central Catholic, who topped Delphi 63-21. "We can't go three-and-out on offense," Pelley said. "We have to move the ball and do what we do. We did that in the first three quarters tonight, and we have to throw the ball a little more to keep them guessing and not be so one dimensional." Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on Twitter @Will_Willems.