SHERBURNE – Sherburne-Earlville did what many would believe unthinkable: It held Section III’s highest scoring Class C team without a point.

The Marauders finally put to rest the memory of 2011’s heart-breaking loss to Frankfort-Schuyler with a 14-0 shutout victory Friday night. It was the third shutout in four games, and if not for one defensive breakdown last week, S-E would remain unscored on.

“I think a lot of people will be surprised by what we did tonight,” said S-E senior all-state linebacker Austin Jasper.

Considering how swiftly – and easily – the Maroon Knights moved down the field on their opening drive, who would have expected the visitors would fail to break the S-E goal line? Taking the ball nearly 70 yards to S-E’s six-yard line, a bad handoff exchange led to a fumble recovery by the Marauders’ Damian McGregor. It was the first of five Maroon Knights turnovers as J.P. Osborne and Cody Marshall had fumble recoveries, while Brady Sopchak and Cody Marango intercepted passes. Four of those turnovers occurred inside the S-E 25 yard line.

“We gave them some great field position, and I think in years past we might have given up some points,” said Marauders fourth-year head coach, Mike Jasper. “They’re a great team that takes advantage of opportunities, and I think they are used to getting the ball in the endzone. We just dug in and kept fighting.”