PLAINFIELD — For the second time in three weeks, the Plainfield Quakers will take an extra day to get a result for a football game.
Plainfield (3-2) had its game postponed with 4:57 remaining in the first quarter in its game against Mid-State Conference foe Decatur Central (3-2) with the scored tied at 7-7.
“It can be extremely draining, I think,” Plainfield coach Brian Woodard said of the postponement. “I never experienced this as a player, so I can’t speak to it from that perspective. Unfortunately, as a coach, we have had to go through this quite a few times, obviously never twice in a year. I know that it’s hard on the kids. They were really disappointed. They wanted to play tonight and finish tonight. Unfortunately, that’s just not possible.”
With some action able to take place, the teams made the most of their time on the field as both scored on their only possessions.
Decatur Central benefitted from a lengthy kickoff return and some grinding runs to score on its drive. The 10-play, 51-yard drive ate up almost five minutes of clock. Dakota Sidwell rushed five times for 23 yards and a 2-yard touchdown plunge.
“I thought that (offensively) Decatur Central was as advertised,” Woodard said. “They were everything that we thought that they would be. They were big, strong, physical and we have to find a way to get them into situations where they want to throw the ball. Having a second-and-2 or third-and-1, those aren’t tough calls for those guys. They’re going to pick those up more often than not.”
Plainfield responded, going 80 yards on seven plays. Austin Blevins capped the drive, scoring on a 20-yard scamper. Blevins had 30 yards on three carries during the drive. In addition, senior quarterback Jacob Jay completed both of his attempts for 44 yards.
“(Defensively) I thought that (Decatur) was strong, athletic, and flew around the field,” Woodard said. “I credit our kids. I thought that we did some nice things as well. Hopefully, an 80-yard touchdown drive has our guys leaving tonight feeling pretty good about where we stack up, at least at this point in the game.”
The experience from the Roncalli game two weeks ago allows the Quakers an opportunity to prepare and feel more comfortable about this situation.
“It certainly can’t hurt any,” Woodard said. “I think that the more you do something, the better prepared that you should be for it. That was a good learning experience for our kids that they can get up and start at 11 a.m., and compete in a game. Unfortunately, that was a game that we lost. Obviously, this time we want to do a better job of finishing.”
Though Woodard realizes the rules prohibit either team from watching film from tonight’s game, he thinks that the experience will at least give them an opportunity to make adjustments going into Saturday.
“At least you have an idea now where they are,” he said. “It’s been one series and there is going to be a lot of adjustments between now and (Saturday) when this game finishes up.”
The Quakers and Hawks will continue the battle at 11 a.m. today.
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