By SCOTTY NICHOLS

Special to the Times

The IAHS Indians carried a 5-0 record into their homecoming game against division foe Center Hill Friday night, and the Mustangs became another casualty as the Indians walked away with a 37-14 victory.

The Indians, who have tasted defeat only once in their last 18 contests, jumped on Center Hill early and didn't look back.

IAHS tailback Deshawn McGaughy continued his dominance on the ground, took a toss around the left side and raced 67 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the game from scrimmage. The Indians had a little trouble on special teams, as Glynn Brown's extra point attempt was blocked to leave the score at 6-0.

With the Center Hill offense pinned deep in their own territory, the Indian defense led by William Shumpert forced a Mustang punt after only three plays.

The Indians started at the Mustang 26 and only needed three plays to find the end zone. Shumpert ran 16 yards on the first play, followed by McGaughy with two 5-yard runs, the last of which resulted in a touchdown. The 2 point conversion was no good, and the Indians were on top 12-0.

The defense stood strong on the ensuing drive, forcing a turnover on downs in Mustang territory.

Quarterback Maikhail Miller hooked up with Kevin Marks for a 22-yard pass; then McGaughy found paydirt for the third time with an 8-yard touchdown run. The 2-point conversion failed once again, and the Indians were up 18-0.

The stingy IAHS defense only allowed one yard on the next drive to force yet another Mustang punt. This time, the Indians took the ball at their own 47-yard line and used seven plays before reaching the end zone again.

Shumpert and McGaughy picked up rushing yards, and Miller hit Asian Ruff on a screen pass to set up a 3-yard touchdown run by McGaughy. The point after woes continued, as Brown couldn't connect on the extra point attempt.

The Indians were ahead 24-0, but a Mustang kick returner turned on the jets and sliced through the IAHS kickoff team for a 90-yard touchdown return to put Center Hill on the scoreboard. The extra point brought the score to 24-7 as the first quarter came to a close.

After both teams exchanged possessions on a fumble and a punt, the Indians put together a seven play 53-yard drive for a touchdown.

McGaughy, Shumpert and Devoris Taylor all had carries for the Indians; then McGaughy broke loose for a 31-yard run that resulted in his fifth touchdown of the night. The kick was off the mark, and IAHS led 30-7.

Shumpert pulled double-duty early in the second half. He helped force a punt and recorded a quarterback sack. On offense, he bulldozed his way into the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown run to cap off a six play, 60-yard drive. Brown settled down and drilled the extra point attempt to give the Indians a 37-7 lead.

Neither team could get anything going until midway through the fourth quarter when Ruff picked off a Center Hill pass attempt.

The Indian offense couldn't advance the ball and punted right back to the Mustangs. On their first play of the possession, the Mustang tailback found daylight and scored on a 74-yard touchdown run. The extra point brought the final score to 37-14.

The Indians improved to 6-0 overall, and 3-0 in division play. IAHS will take a week off from division action next week as they travel to Heidelberg to take on the Oilers, a team the Indians beat 39-18 at Fulton last year. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.