Two teams will play their sixteenth game of this season in the 1-A state championship game. By beating the Warhorses, the Wolverines gave themselves a shot at a conference championship and improved their positioning for the upcoming playoffs.
Polk silenced the Warhorses’ thundering ground game with four rushing scores of its own, three by way of senior quarterback Jordan Ollis.
Owen came out of the gate with 11 consecutive running plays, moving the ball to the Polk 36 yard line. An unsuccessful fourth and 11 pass attempt gave the Wolverines their first possession.
After a long drive to the Owen 17, a problematic snap on a field goal attempt left the game scoreless, as it would be as the first quarter ended.
Owen aired it out from midfield on third and 29, completing a 46-yard pass which was followed immediately by a touchdown run.
Polk answered four minutes later. Tailback Andre Overholt was stopped just before the goalline after a 29-yard run, and Ollis snuck in on the next play. Senior kicker Tony Sciuva converted the PAT to even the score at 7-7.
Polk head coach Bruce Ollis challenged his team at halftime to score the first time they got the ball.
It didn’t take them long. The second half started with a huge kick return by senior Kamron Kerr. From the Owen 40, Ollis gained 32 yards on three rushes, the last being a 13-yard draw play that found paydirt to give the Wolverines a 14-7 lead.
The Polk defense made a big stop on fourth down later in the quarter which led to another quick score.
Overholt caught a short pass from Ollis and took it 38 yards upfield.
Each of them then reeled off long runs on the next two plays, with Ollis scoring another tackle-breaking touchdown to make it 21-7.
The Warhorses came back with a 13-play drive that brought them within seven points with 9:36 to play.
Landon Schlabach’s reception on fourth and two helped Polk shut the door on any comeback hopes. Overholt locked and deadbolted it as he scored eight plays later and intercepted a pass with two minutes to go.
Overholt finished with 78 yards on 9 carries. Ollis had 67 yards rushing and also threw for 98 yards, completing nine of 12 passes.
“Jordan’s a fullback playing quarterback. He gets that 225 pounds coming at you, and he’s a load to bring down,” coach Ollis said.
Next Friday the Wolverines will win a share of the Western Highlands Conference Championship if they can beat rival Hendersonville.