Peterson’s arm leads E. Palestine to rout of Clippers

By Tom Williams

EAST PALESTINE — With Shane Peterson’s steady arm and Corey Barnhouse’s speedy legs, the East Palestine High football team has the quick-strike offense that’s the envy of the Inter Tri-County League Tier One.

Against unbeaten Columbiana on Friday, Peterson’s five pass completions to wide receiver Austin Cope included a touchdown and helped open up the Bulldogs’ offense in a 41-7 rout of the Clippers.

The senior quarterback also hit Shane Egresi with a 24-yard scoring toss one play after Egresi pounced on a Clippers’ fumble. That score gave the Bulldogs (4-0, 1-0) a 20-0 lead in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Barnhouse’s speed carried him to touchdown runs of 69 and 59 yards.

“They are an excellent football team,” Columbiana (3-1, 0-1) coach Bob Spaite said. “They’re going to make a nice run. Somebody is going to have to be real good to beat them.”

Cope’s receptions covered 98 yards and included a 33-yard touchdown.

“It’s absolutely huge,” Cope said of the win and the chance to go unbeaten in the league. “We’ve been dreaming about this since we were little.”

Peterson said he’s never felt so good after a win.

“Never, ever, ever, ever,” the quarterback said. “I’ve never felt anything like this before.

“The rivalry is amazing,” sad Peterson after the Bulldogs were awarded the Columbiana-East Palestine trophy. “We haven’t beaten them in something like seven years. To beat them like this means so much. They’re a good team — it’s not like they are a slouch.”

The Bulldogs seized control of the game on their first possession as Peterson’s toss to Cope gained 24 yards into Clippers territory. Ryan Dilworth’s 7-yard score was the first of six touchdowns.

The game seesawed until midway through the second quarter when the Bulldogs produced a 98-yard drive keyed by a 29-yard Dilworth run and two Cope receptions totaling 30 yards. Peterson capped the march with a 10-yard run for a 14-0 lead.

On the Clippers’ next play, Egresi recovered the fumble that proved to be a backbreaker.

“We were hoping that we could hold them and just get good field position,” East Palestine coach Jeff Sharkey said. “When we ended up getting the turnover, that was even better. Egresi made a real nice catch over in the corner.”

Trailing 20-0, the Clippers marched inside the 10. After an illegal procedure call, Jared Harold tried a 27-yard field goal attempt that was wide left.

“I’m glad for Coach Sharkey. I really am,” Spaite said. “I thought he got a raw deal down at United. He’s got these guys hitting on all cylinders.”

In recent seasons, big games have been rare for the Bulldogs.

“Nerves weren’t much of a factor,” Peterson said. “I knew they were good so I knew we had to play well ... and we’d have a good shot.”

Barnhouse’s third-quarter scores put the game out of reach.

“Actually, he has a little more speed than I thought he did,” Sharkey said of the football newcomer. “Matt Thomas got hurt and so he’s kind of had to pull the load. We’ve slowly given him more carries each week. He kind of showed tonight that he might get even more carries.”

The Bulldogs also showed they are a force, even if they disagree.

“Having a target [on our backs] is nice but I still like to think we’re under the radar,” Peterson said. “Nobody is a real favorite. You can’t count out Crestview and South Range — they’re always going to be good.”

Sharkey said his team has to not look ahead.

“The first thing I said is it’s just one victory in the league,” Sharkey said. “It’s no better than anyone else who’s 1-0 in the league.”

williams@vindy.com