SENIOR LEADS THE WAY...Arcanum Senior Quarterback Kyler Fledderjohn established a new single-game rushing record at Arcanum with 308 yards, breaking the previous record held by Benji Miller.

Story by Dale Barger
The Cross County Conference has been a revolving door for coaches over the last few years and this one was no different. Twin Valley South welcomed back one of it’s own Cross County Conference Coaches Jason Schondelmyer who many will recall had a successful run at Arcanum then a brief stint at Versailles but now is back. This time Coach Schondo will be on the opposite sidelines facing his old team.

Twin Valley South in the first week dropped a 49-7 loss to the Dixie Greyhounds and was hoping to get on track against Arcanum in week 2.

For Arcanum leading the way is first year head coach Jason Stephan. Stephan is the protégé to Coach Schondelmyer as an assistant coach over the last few years. He takes over a program that is fairly young with 5 seniors and only 27 players out for the team.

Coming off a 69-0 shellacking to the Carlisle Indians last week Arcanum will be looking to improve weekly to try and rebuild Trojan success of the recent past established by none the less his mentor Coach Schondelmyer.

Arcanum won the coin toss elected to receive the football and marched down the field but stalled with 8:50 to play in the quarter around the 11-yard line. Senior Matt Woods was called on to attempt a field goal as was good from 28 yards out to put Arcanum on the board 3-0.

South was unable to move the ball on their first possession and then traded punts with the home team. On their next possession South was able to move the ball into field goal territory. Only their attempt went wide left and they ended the first quarter down 3-0.

Arcanum started another drive just like they did to open the game only this time they were able to cap it off with a 2 yard run by senior quarterback Kyle Fledderjohn with 8:07 to play in the second quarter. The extra point was good by Woods and Arcanum went up 10-0.

In the next series Twin Valley South appeared to fumble the ball on a lateral in Arcanum territory and the Trojans recovered and looked like they could break the game wide open. However, the officials ruled the pitch was forward and South retained the ball. One play later Quarterback Miles McCollum hit speedy sophomore Steve Balthis over the middle who raced in for a 65 yard TD and within a blink the Panthers were in the game. The extra point was good and with 7:40 to play trailed just 10-7 going into the half.

In the third quarter Arcanum would strike first with 5:29 to go as Fledderjohn once again took another one in from 2 yards out. Another Woods extra point and the Trojans led 17-7.

Arcanum struck again this time a Fledderjohn pass to freshman Kody Smith on a 35 yard scoring strike. Woods again was good for the PAT and at 2:23 Arcanum looked like they were blowing the game open leading 24-7.

South, however, wasn’t rolling over and was able to shake loose for a 34 yard TD run with just seconds left to play in the third quarter and now trailed 24-13.

Arcanum responded like they had done all game long and put together another long drive this time it was senior A.J. Aikman plunging in from one yard out. This time Woods’ extra point attempt sailed wide and Arcanum led 30-13 with 8:44 to play.

Twin Valley South refused to quit… another quick strike McCollum scoring pass from 30 yards out and now it was 30-20 with 5:43 to play.

TVS held tough on the next series and again went to the quick strike offense with the duo of McCollum to Balthis this time they hooked up on a 62 yard aerial and with 2:49 South had closed the margin to just 3, trailing 30-27.

The Panthers tried their second onside kick attempt and a nice recovery by freshman Chey Kramer put the ball back in Arcanum’s hands. A minute later Arcanum was facing a 3rd down with 7 yards to go… a crucial time in the game. Senior QB Kyle Fledderjohn refused to go down as he willed his was to a first down shaking off a couple of tacklers.

As he did all game long Fledderjohn led the way rushing with at least 4 carries over 30 yards. Fledderjohn rushed for 308 yards, breaking Benji Miller's school record for rushing yards in a game.

Arcanum then was able to run out the clock and fight back the furious late game comeback by the Panthers to give Coach Stephan his first coaching victory with the student taking one over his mentor/teacher in their first meeting.