Wright says Blackhawks still hungry for another title

Sheridan senior center Travis Paddack wants very badly to close out his high school football career with a fourth consecutive Class A state title.

"This seems the biggest one for me because this is the one that can give me bragging rights over my brother," Paddack said.

Cory Paddack, an offensive lineman who graduated in 2008, played on the other three state winners.

The Class A No. 3 Blackhawks (10-1) will host Clinton Central (8-3) at 7 p.m. today in the sectional final. The Bulldogs took a 6-0 lead after one quarter against host Sheridan before falling 26-6 on Sept. 12.

"We came out kind of flat so we weren't really ready to play in that one," Travis Paddack said. "They were really physical with us from the start."

Clinton Central has won seven in a row since that loss.

"They played well against us the first time around, and they'll come in with confidence," Sheridan coach Bud Wright said.

The Bulldogs have outscored opponents 116-0 in the two sectional games, beating Clinton Prairie 61-0 on Oct. 24 and Guerin Catholic 55-0 last week.

Sheridan advanced by beating host Lafayette Central Catholic 34-28 last week. Central Catholic finished 9-2.

Paddack returned to play last week after missing the previous three games with an injury.

"My knee didn't really bother me as much as everything else," Paddack said. "Everything else was really sore the next day. I could barely move."

Paddack, who also played on the defensive line before he was hurt, played only at center against Central Catholic. He will likely stick with offense tonight.

Wright said it helped to have both Paddack and running back/safety Ty Perkins return. Perkins, who had been suspended for three games, rushed for 102 yards on 13 carries.

Sheridan led Central Catholic 27-14 at halftime.

"We played the best half of football we've played all season long," Wright said. "They made some adjustments, and I didn't make the offensive adjustments that I needed. They got fired up and came back and made it a ball game."

However, Wright said his players showed they were still hungry for another title.

Paddack said holding on for a close victory will be a boost.

"It's good for the morale and the confidence of the team," he said.