Team Members: (Pictured Above)

First Row L-R: Cheerleaders; Lauren Oakley, Lori Shipman, Natalie Manship, Rebecca Cooper, Amber Cupp, Kelley Monroe, Sarah Stevens, Kylee Gilliatt.


Second Row L-R: Cheerleaders: Ashley Padgett, Sammi Elliott, Dana Cook, Brittany Young, Jana Baechle, Lindsey Manship, Johnni Collins.


Third Row L-R: Managers: Adrienne Hinshaw & Sarah Hutson Derek Daugherty, Mark Sutherlin, Darin Patton, Josh Stevens, Lucas Saltsgaver, Josh Flick, Managers: Missy Gilliatt & Emme Whiteman.


Fourth Row L-R: Caleb Singleton, Bill Holland, Adam Thornton, Corey Dunn, Ricky Snelling, Derek Calvert, Jeremy Hinton, Joe Fullen.


Fifth Row L-R: Charlie Daugherty, Charlie McIntosh, Chad Tate, Andy Tuell, Derek Mauermann, Wes Whitfield, Josh Jennings, Alex King, Bryan Blevins.


Sixth Row L-R: Sam Hawkins, Chase Kimmel, Seth Welty, Danny Staggs, Chris Boone, Josh Rojahn, Tyler Phillips, Jerrod Hammes.


Seventh Row L-R: Ben Wilson, Michael Nice, Ben Flick, Zach Moore, Chris Wilson, Tyler White, Aaron Kemple, Cody Ash, Nick Fedyszyn.


Eighth Row L-R: Assistant Coaches Stan Nice, Travis Heavin, Barry Sutherlin, Mike Smith, Head Coach Mike Eshbach, Assistant Coaches Doug Horton, Darek Newkirk, Billy Vincent and Matt Hinshaw.



2000 Record: 3-7 2nd in P.L.A.C


Team Leaders:
Passing: Josh Stevens 17/56 231 yds. 5 TD
Rushing: Josh Stevens 85 att. 351 yds. 1 TD
Receiving: Joe Fullen 10 rec. 1 TD


2000 Game Results:

Game 1 at. Southridge: Southridge 39 Paoli: 12
Game 2 vs. Mitchell: Paoli: 24 Mitchell: 23
Game 3 at. Springs Valley: Paoli: 7 Springs Valley: 0 (1 OT)
Game 4 at. North Harrison: North Harrison: 32 Paoli: 12
Game 5 vs. West Washington: West Washington: 26 Paoli: 6
Game 6 vs. Corydon: Paoli 10 Corydon: 0
Game 7 vs. Salem: Salem: 37 Paoli: 0
Game 8 at. Brownstown: Brownstown: 49 Paoli: 0
Game 9 vs. Perry Central: Perry Central: 34 Paoli: 6
Game 10 at. Evansville Mater Dei: Evansville Matr Dei: 70 Paoli: 8


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

2000 GAME RECAPS


****STEVENS PUTS ON A SHOW AS PAOLI DEFEATS MITCHELL 24-23****

PAOLI - Mitchell came in with a defense that had surrendered just 10 points to Class 2A's seventh-ranked Brownstown a week ago. Paoli came in with an offense that managed just 12 points a week ago and was now missing its top weapon in tailback Charlie McIntosh, who is gone for the season because of a severe knee injury.

So Friday night's PLAC opener at Paoli was a mismatch right? The Rams had no business being on the football field with the Bluejackets, right? Paoli wouldn't be able to do anything against Mitchell's defense.

Well, by gosh, and by Josh, the Rams got it done.

Senior quarterback Josh Stevens turned in a memorable individual performance by accounting for four touchdowns to lead Paoli's 24-23 triumph at Cook Field. It was the first head coaching victory of Mike Eshbach's career.

"A lot of people counted us out of this game because of how we'd played last week, and with Charlie getting injured," said Eshbach, who was awarded the game ball by his jubilant players. "I challenged our kids to make at least five plays that would make the difference, and we had a lot of people step up and make plays."

Stevens made most of them. He fired a pair of first-half scores to wideout Adam Thornton, then zipped 98 yards for a rushing touchdown and returned a punt 90 yards for a score in the third stanza. He also had an 83-yard TD run called back because of a penalty.

"We were playing this one for Charlie," said an exhausted Stevens, who also started at cornerback. "And we wanted it for ourselves, too. It was a loss and we suffered when he went down, but we wanted to prove we could step up."

The Bluejackets buried themselves with turnovers and mistakes. Mitchell quarterback Kirk Page hit just 7 of 21 passes and was picked off three times, while the backfield coughed up three fumbles. The Rams scored immediately after three of those turnovers, which accounts largely for how they were able to win despite registering just two first downs.

"It's been the same thing in both of our games, turning the ball over and making costly penalties," said Mitchell coach Darrin Russell. "We just can't seem to take care of the ball, and we've got too many guys not giving us much effort out there. There are going to be some changes made. We will not settle for this level of play."

The Bluejackets came out impressively on their first possession, marching 55 yards in seven plays, keyed by a 43-yard strike from Page to Travis Reynolds. Page connected with wide receiver Sam Edwards on a 13-yard scoring pass at 7:06 of the first period, and David Bentley's PAT kick made it 7-0.

"We looked real good when we came out, but I think it may have come too easily," said Russell. "Our kids tend to get real confident when they score early, and I just don't know why they have that attitude."

The Jackets threatened to score again at outset of the second period, but Page lost a fumble at the Ram 13. Two possessions later, cornerback Derek Calvert picked Page at the Mitchell 31, and Stevens made it hurt when he hit Thornton on a streak pattern down the left sideline, drawing the Rams within 7-6.

On Mitchell's next possession, Aaron Powell lost an option pitch and Paoli defensive end Jeremy Hinton hopped on it at the Mitchell 35. On second down, Stevens lofted again for Thornton, this time down the right side. The ball skidded through defensive back Nathan Slaughter's fingers, off his helmet, and into Thornton's hands as he tumbled into the end zone to give Paoli a 12-7 edge.

Momentum, that treacherous traitor, had clearly jumped camp on Mitchell, but on Paoli's last possession Stevens took a big hit and needed a momentary break. Eshbach summoned sophomore southpaw Wes Whitfield, but rather than sit on the ball and go into the half with a lead, Whitfield went for the gusto with a pass over the middle.

Unfortunately for the Rams, Bentley read it all the way from his free safety spot and picked it off in stride. He sailed untouched 65 yards for a TD with :33.7 showing. Page passed to Ben Porter for a two-point conversion that gave Mitchell a 15-12 halftime edge.

"We went for the home run ball there," said Eshbach. "The only problem was that the play came in wrong. When I saw the receiver go the wrong way and saw where the ball was going I knew we were in trouble."

The Jackets fully reclaimed command starting the second half. Page hit Matt Miller for 37 yards on a chair pattern, and Miller closed a five-play, 67-yard scoring drive by scoring on a 12-yard sweep right. Powell ran the conversion to make it 23-12 at 10:20 of the third period.

Mitchell forced a punt and threatened to ice the deal after Page turned in a superhuman effort on the next possession. Facing 3rd-and-21 at the Mitchell 31, Page was nearly sacked in the backfield before eluding two tacklers and embarking down the left sideline. He plowed through linebacker Bryan Blevins at midfield and rumbled 57 yards to the Paoli 12. Alas, two plays later fullback Ryan Neff fumbled it away at the 2.

"Kirk showed he had some desire and showed he could turn the corner a little," said Russell. "Then we give it right back to them. We could've put the game away right there."

Instead, Paoli planted itself right back into contention on the ensuing play. Stevens faked a dive inside and kept it on the option right. He found a huge seam, cut back up the middle and set sail. None of Mitchell's defensive backs could catch him as he completed his 98-yard scoring scamper.

"We ran the option and the defensive end bit on the dive," said Stevens. "What can I say, it was wide open."

Paoli completed the rally with 31 seconds left in the third period. David Smith sailed a punt to the Paoli 10. Stevens gathered it in, found his wall set up on the left and ran behind it untouched until easily shedding Smith at midfield before finishing his 90-yard scoring jaunt that turned out to be the game-winning TD.

"Josh did a great job, but he has to give the other 10 guys credit on that one," said Eshbach. "We set that return up perfectly and they did a great job of blocking. He only had one guy to beat."

It was up to the defense from there and it came up with two more interceptions as Lucas Saltsgaver and Sutherlin each came up with picks to thwart drives.

The Jackets got one last golden opportunity on 4th-and-10 from the Mitchell 49 with less than 1:30 to play when Page found Reynolds on a post pattern. Reynolds was wide open 10 yards behind the defense at the Paoli 15, but the wet pigskin slipped through his fingers.

Russell defended his receiver, if not his team.

"That's the play people will remember, but it shouldn't have come down to that play," he said. "We should've had it wrapped up before that ever came around. How we can come in here and not be ready to play in a game that has such conference ramifications is beyond me. Paoli played hard and we didn't, and some things are going to change."

Page finished with 57 yards rushing and 144 yards passing for the Bluejackets (0-2), who host Washington Friday night.

Stevens wound up with 130 yards rushing on 12 carries for the Rams (1-1)

Mitchell 7 8 8 0-23

Paoli 0 12 12 0-24

First Quarter

M - Kirk Page, 13 yard touchdown pass to Sam Edwards (David Bentley kick), 7:06. Mitchell 7, Paoli 0.

Second Quarter

P - Josh Stevens, 31-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thornton (Kick failed), 6:59. Mitchell 7, Paoli 6.

P - Josh Stevens, 35-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thornton (Pass failed), 5:58. Paoli 12, Mitchell 7.

M - David Bentley, 65-yard interception return (Ben Porter pass from Page), :33. Mitchell 15, Paoli 12.

Third Quarter

M - Matt Miller, 12-yard run (Aaron Powell run), 10:20. Mitchell 23, Paoli 12.

P - Josh Stevens, 98-yard touchdown run (Run failed), 4:40. Mitchell 23, Paoli 18.

P - Josh Stevens, 90-yard punt return for a touchdown (Kick failed), :14. Paoli 24, Mitchell 23.

Team Statistics

M - First Downs 10 (4 by run, 4 by pass, 2 by penalty); Rushing 36-161; Passing 7-21-3-144; Total Yards 305; Fumbles 5 (Lost 3); Penalties 6-60.

P - First Downs 2 (2 by run); Rushing 30-172; Passing 3-8-1-69; Total Yards 241; Fumbles 1 (Lost 0); Penalties 6-75.

Individual Statistics

Rushing - (M) Page 7--57, Miller 9-42, Powell 13-31, Neff 7-31; (P) Josh Stevens 12-130, Caleb Singleton 7-21, Mark Sutherlin 7-17, Darin Patton 3-4, Wes Whitfield 1-0.

Passing - (M) Page 7-21-3-144; (P) Josh Stevens 3-7-0-69, Wes Whitfield 0-1-1-0.

Receiving - (M) Reynolds 2-50, Miller 1-37, Edwards 2-40, Neff 2-17; (P) Adam Thornton 2-66, Lucas Saltsgaver 1-3.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------