Of all the big numbers Polk Middle generated Thursday, the smallest of the lot proved the most unlikely.
The Wolverines ran one offensive play in the second half of their home opener against Madison.
And still won by 30.
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That one play, granted, was an 85-yard touchdown run by Matthew Sokil, putting an exclamation point on Polk Middle’s 30-0 victory over the the Patriots in a Blue Ridge Conference matchup at Utz Field.
Sokil had four touchdowns and 246 yards rushing on 10 carries. He had three scores in a first half that Polk Middle (1-1) dominated, holding Madison (0-2) without a first down and scoring on its first three possessions.
“My game plan going in was that we’re going to go four yards, waste 30 seconds, four yards, waste 30 seconds and so on,” said Polk Middle head coach Ethan Edwards. “We broke more than we didn’t, so I’m not disappointed in that.
“I was happy with the way we had a push up front. I felt like we did a really good job there.”
As much as the effort pleased Edwards, it proved especially satisfying after an opening-week loss at Smoky Mountain Middle.
“I feel like we had a complete 180 from last week, mentally,” he said. “We had a really short preseason. They only gave us 13 possible days to practice. Our scrimmage was canceled. Out of our 13, we had about five days with thunderstorms. So we’re going inside and practicing in the hallways.
“Last week, I knew I had talent, but I’ve never felt as unprepared as I was when we got out there, and kids were too. So I’m proud of them. We had a short week this week, two days of practice, but both days were good. Good turnout and good work ethic. I feel like they responded, which makes me happy.”
Sokil raced 59 yards for his first score on the second play of the game. Following a Madison punt, the Wolverines put together a nine-play, 56-yard drive, with either Jax Gosnell and Sokil carrying on every play. Sokil found the end zone from 14 yards out, putting Polk up 14-0 with 5:55 left in the half.
Sokil then recovered his own onside kick, and Gosnell’s 15-yard scamper helped set up Sokil’s 18-yard scoring with with 3:51 remaining in the half, giving the Wolverines a 22-0 bulge.
Madison took the opening kickoff of the second half and held the ball for what seemed forever. The Patriots held the ball for 16 plays and more than 13 minutes of game time, finally failing to convert a fourth-and-goal at the 19.
Polk took possession at the 15, and Sokil took a handoff, swept around left end and motored down the Polk sideline to the end zone. Gosnell added the 2-point conversion before an approaching thunderstorm ended the game with 2:18 remaining.
“I give Madison a lot of credit,” Edwards said. “They got beat last week by Brevard in a tough situation similar to us. They’re low on numbers like we are, but they kept fighting. And they were working hard.
“I’m just hoping that if we have this much improvement next week and the week after, then we’re in good shape.”
Polk Middle travels next Thursday to Brevard Middle for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff.
