SPRINGDALE - Dillon Sharp didn’t have much time to think about starting in the biggest game of his high school career.
He found out late Wednesday afternoon that he would be running Shiloh Christian’s offense after starter Daniel Shimer tore the ACL in his left knee in a noncontact practice drill.
Sharp, with basically one day to prepare for the start, completed 12 of 22 passes for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the Saints to a 42-25 victory over Greenbrier.
“Just a testament to Dillon Sharp,” Saints Coach Josh Floyd said. “We have tried to groom him for three years, but even from May until now he’s had a ton of reps. We’ve prepared for this moment. Obviously, you don’t ever want it to happen, but I think he came out here and played really well.”
The Saints (5-2-1, 4-1 5A-West) turned to a powerful running game behind Chandler Smith, Chris Cox and Matthew Solomon. That three combined for 345 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Sharp, a senior, completed 4 of 5 passes for 64 yards and threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Adler Goode on his opening drive to give the Saints a 7-0 lead. The teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter with the Saints holding a 14-12 lead.
Greenbrier (3-5, 2-3) trailed 21-12 late in the first half and was driving before quarterback Harold Ross was intercepted at the goal line with less than a minute left. Ross was replacing starter William Drewry, who was also out with a knee injury.
Shiloh Christian’s defense intercepted three passes, and the Saints held Greenbrier to just 97 yards rushing.
“Right before the half, that was a big turnover,” Greenbrier Coach Randy Tribble said. “I thought we left some things there, but they did a better job of executing than us. I thought we played with some passion, but we just didn’t execute well enough.”
Shiloh Christian put away the game late in the third quarter when Cox broke an 85-yard touchdown run to extend its lead to 35-12.
Ross completed 22 of 34 for 252 yards and threw 3 touchdown passes.
Sports, Pages 26 on 10/26/2013