By Chuck Reherman
Sports Editor
EMPIRE – The elements may not have been conducive for football, but that didn’t stop Southwest Covenant.
Despite the rain and a wet field, the Patriots only needed 24 minutes to decide the outcome.
SWCS scored four times in the first quarter and rolled to a 50-0 win over Empire Friday night in Empire,
The Patriots, 2-0, scored four different ways in winning their second game by a lopsided score.
“With the weather like it was, you never know how a game will go, but we came out and played well,” SWCS head coach Trey Cloud said. “The defense played really well and that led to scores by the offense. And, the defense scored and we scored on special teams.
“It was a good win for us, especially on the road,” he added. “We know we have some tough challenges ahead of us and these are good confidence builders for us.”
Special teams gave the Patriots their first score. Trevor Kelly returned a punt on Empire’s opening possession 65 yards for a touchdown. It was Kelly’s third punt return for a touchdown this season.
Ben Webb ran in the conversion to open an 8-0 lead.
The Patriots forced four Empire turnovers in the game that led to scores. The first came just minutes later. Webb picked off an Empire pass at the goal line and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. Webb ran in the conversion, opening a 16-0 lead.
Following a second Empire turnover, the Patriots put another quick score on the board. Webb completed a 32-yard scoring pass to Cole Shaw for the touchdown. Shaw ran in the conversion, opening a 24-0 lead.
SWCS added a fourth score in the quarter as Kelly scored on a 34-yard run in the closing seconds, opening a 30-0 lead.
The Patriots forced a third Bulldog turnover and Webb scored on a one-yard. The conversion failed and SWCS led 36-0.
Tyler Kelly scored the final two Patriot touchdowns on runs of two and 41 yards. The second came after the fourth Empire turnover. Peter Webb ran in the conversion that opened the 50-0 lead.
Ben Webb completed four of five passes on the night for 117 yards, three to Will Haas for 75 yards.
The Patriots had only 211 yards of total offense and less than 100 rushing. Tyler Kelly rushed for 43 yards on two carries and Trevor Kelly had 40 on three rushes.
The SWCS defense held Empire to 103 yards of offense.
Southwest Covenant will step up in competition this week as they make their third road trip of the season. The Patriots head to Bartlesville to play Wesleyan Christian School in a 7 p.m. game. Wesleyan, who is coached by Curt Cloud (Trey Cloud’s father) is 1-1 on the season having lost to Summit Christian 34-20 Friday night.
