Western Boone breaks loose after halftime, beats North Putnam 45–10

Stars outscore Cougars 35–3 in second half to turn a close game into a decisive victory

Staff Report

THORNTOWN, Ind. — Western Boone entered halftime with a three-point lead and a game still very much in doubt. Two quarters later, the Stars had put 35 more points on the scoreboard and pulled away from North Putnam.

A 21-point third quarter sparked Western Boone’s second-half surge Friday, Oct. 9, carrying the Stars to a 45–10 conference football victory over the visiting Cougars.

Western Boone improved to 6–2, while North Putnam fell to 5–3.

The Stars struck first with seven points in the opening quarter, keeping North Putnam scoreless to establish an early advantage.

The Cougars tightened the game in the second period, scoring seven points while limiting Western Boone to three. That left the Stars ahead just 10–7 at halftime, with little separating the teams on the scoreboard.

The third quarter changed the game.

Western Boone scored 21 points in the period, while North Putnam managed only a field goal. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Stars’ three-point halftime edge had grown to a commanding 31–10 lead.

Western Boone finished the job with 14 unanswered points in the final period. North Putnam could not add to its total, and the Stars completed a second half in which they outscored the Cougars 35–3.

Jack Mallory led Western Boone’s rushing attack with 115 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, averaging 7.7 yards per attempt. He also caught two passes for 30 yards, finishing with 145 yards from scrimmage.

Nathan Thompson contributed 90 yards from scrimmage. His only carry produced a 45-yard touchdown, and he added two receptions for another 45 yards.

Carson Nicley supplied a rushing touchdown among his six carries for 22 yards. He also completed both of his passes for 38 yards and intercepted a pass on defense, returning it 35 yards.

Western Boone’s posted offensive totals included 213 rushing yards and 115 passing yards for 328 yards overall.

Levi Adkins paced the Stars’ defense with 13 tackles, including one for loss. Maddox Amich added 10 tackles and a forced fumble, while Nicley recorded eight tackles.

After allowing seven first-half points, Western Boone held North Putnam to three after the break, pairing its defensive finish with the scoring burst that decided the game.

Scoring by quarter