For The Tribune
Seymour scored on its first four possessions of the game to defeat Evansville Harrison 40-20 in Mike Kelly’s first game as coach Friday night at Bulleit Stadium.
The win marked the first season-opening victory for the Owls since 2001.
The Owls got off to an excellent start by scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions.
Seymour received the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards on 12 plays with Devin Hill catching a 7-yard touchdown pass from Alan Perry. Scotty Nieves’ PAT kick made it 7-0 at 6:50.
The Owls stopped the Warriors on their first possession and forced a punting situation. The center snap to punter Nick Bennett was high. Bennett scrambled, was tackled by Alex Holt, fumbled and Hill recovered for the Owls.
Seymour took possession on Harrison’s 16-yard line and four plays later Perry scored from the 2-yard line with 3:07 on the clock.
Nathan O’Mara, who gained 51 yards rushing on seven carries in the first period, kept running hard in the second quarter with 49 yards on eight carries and scored on 1- and 2-yard runs.
In between those scores, the Warriors scored on a 50-yard pass from Trae Hales to Trey Whipple.
The Warriors scored with 37 seconds left on a 2-yard pass from Hales to Collin Hancock.
Kelly said the Owls’ fourth touchdown of the first half gave his team momentum going into half time.
“Those four turnovers were a big deal,” Kelly said. “Until we put the second team in, we played team football and did what we wanted to do.”
The Owls had 16 first downs in the first half to four for the Warriors. The Owls finished with 21 first downs and did not punt until the final two minutes of the game.
The Owls only had two 5-yard penalties, and Kelly said, “We pride ourselves on doing the things the right way. I am proud of the boys; they worked hard, and they deserve the win.”
On Harrison’s possession of the third quarter Hales fumbled and Branson Self recovered for the Owls. Seymour took advantage of the turnover and scored on a 5-yard pass from Perry to Hill to give the Owls a 34-12 lead.
Nieves recovered a Harrison fumble on the visitor’s next possession. The Owls again took advantage of the turnover and marched 81 yards in three plays. After O’Mara gained 20 yards on two rushes, Perry teamed up with Jack Roberts for a 61-yard touchdown pass.
Perry completed 11 of 18 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Bullard caught 4 passes for 93 yards and Hill had 4 catches for 33 yards.
“Our offensive line was on them,” Kelly said. “We preached to them that the line had to get the job done and, I think we did a great job this week. I think they worked really hard in practice this week, and it was a good team win. A lot of good, positive things came out of this win tonight.”
The Owls will open their Hoosier Hills Conference schedule Friday night at Jeffersonville.