Adena Powers Past Pioneers for 2020 SVC Football Title

Presented by McDonald’s – I’m Lovin’ It!

After a 10 year absence and finishing second the last two seasons, the Adena Warriors are finally back atop the Scioto Valley Conference.

Adena blanked Zane Trace 46-0 to finish 6-0 in the COVID-19 shortened football season. The Warriors nearly matched their game average of 48 points per game to earn a Gold Ball for the undefeated SVC season.

Preston Sykes had a scoop and score just 11 seconds into the game and tacked on a 56-yard TD pass on the Warriors first offensive play to post an early 16-0 lead.

“I came on a blitz” said Sykes “I didn’t think I was gonna get there – then all of a sudden, linebacker Cole Williams, he smacked a guy and I saw the ball shootin’ out… my eyes got real big. I thought ‘Oh I can scoop this and score on this’.” And like that, it was 8-0 after Sykes scored on a two-point conversion.

After forcing the Pioneers to punt on their next series, Sykes connected with Tate Myers on a 56-yard pass for a touchdown. And like that, the Warriors were ahead 16-0 1:54 into the first quarter.

Cade McWhorter tacked on a 18 yard field goal for a 19-0 lead. Nate Throckmorton punched in a 5-yard run and with just 13 seconds before halftime, Sykes found Logan Bennett on an 8-yard pass to lift the Warriors to a 32-0 lead.

Sykes wasn’t finished, he broke into the open field and sprinted 67-yards for a score. Gabe Stark was on the receiving end of Sykes’ third TD pass to finish the scoring.

“Starting off fast was the key” said Adena’s John Penwell. “It’s a big deal. Especially when you have a team like Zane Trace, who’s talented, young… The ,kids came out and played well. “

Adena was awarded a first round bye for the playoffs and won’t play until they host on October 17th. Zane Trace travels to Coshocton next Friday as the playoff season begins.