SENECA -- In terms of overall excitement and intensity you couldn't have scripted a better high school football game than the one that took place in Seneca on Friday evening.

As the dew started to settle in on the soft turf, both the Sandwich Indians and host Fighting Irish were embarking in what was a classic battle between two teams. In the end, Sandwich would prevail 42-35 after four scintillating quarters, and two thrilling overtime periods that saw each club lay everything on the line in regards to physical and mental effort.

"It was quite a night of football," said Sandwich coach Derek Avery. "We knew we were in for a battle coming down here. Seneca is well-coached, they play hard, and they're quick. Fortunately, we were able to come away with a big win in the end. I give a lot of credit to (Seneca coach Don) Brown and his kids. It was a great battle."

The Indians (2-1) capitalized on a huge effort rushing the ball as they racked up 339 yards on the ground to overcome the big play output of the Irish.

Seneca (0-3) drew first blood. Senior quarterback Jaret Trager's 63-yard pass to senior Seth Hobbs on the first play from scrimmage set up a 14-yard touchdown run by senior Mike Maierhofer. Senior Chad Humphreys' point-after kick was good and the Irish were up 7-0.

But Sandwich started to assert its dominance on the ground on the very next series. A seven-play, 58-yard drive culminated in a four-yard touchdown run by senior Alan Ritchie that tied the score at seven after junior John Hutchison's extra-point kick.

The second period was only 35 seconds old before Sandwich senior running back Gil Buttels scored on an eight-yard scamper to give the Indians a 14-7 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Maierhofer grabbed the ball and rambled 85 yards to even the score at 14 apiece. It would be Maierhofer's first of a game-high four touchdowns on the night.

"Mike did an excellent job for us this evening," said Brown. "I couldn't have asked for a more complete effort from him. He really came up big for us when we needed him."

Sandwich would counter immediately on the next series as Buttels reeled off an impressive 37-yard touchdown run to give the Indians a 21-14 advantage with 6:52 left to go in the half.

"Our line did a great job for me tonight, especially in the first half when we seemed to dominate play," Buttels said. "Without their two big plays on the opening series and the kickoff return, I thought we really dominated."

Seneca dominated the third quarter. Maierhofer tallied his third touchdown on a 12-yard run at 6:51. Humphreys' kick missed, but senior running back Nick Ugolini plunged home on a one-yard dive with :56 left to give the Irish a 28-21 lead after Trager hit Hobbs with a two-point conversion pass. Seneca seemed in command going into the fourth period for the third straight week with a lead. But just like in week's one and two versus Herscher and Manteno, the Irish were unable to seal the deal.

Ritchie's second touchdown of the game for Sandwich came at 3:25 of the final period and tied the score at 28. Seneca was unable to make any headway during the final three plus minutes, and the two clubs headed into the spine-tingling extra sessions.

Sandwich won the coin flip and elected to defend the four-down-or-bust IHSA scenario that starts at the 10-yard line in overtime. One play was all that Seneca needed to grab the early overtime advantage as Trager hit Maierhofer for his fourth touchdown of the game and a 35-28 Irish advantage.

Sandwich countered right back as junior quarterback Jimmy Fowler bootlegged in on an eight-yard scamper to tie the score at 35 after the first overtime.

Seneca elected to defend in the second overtime, only to see Buttels score his third touchdown on a five-yard bruising effort to the goal. With Sandwich up 42-35 the stage was set for the Indians victory in this classic.

On fourth-and-goal from the two for the Irish, Trager handed to Hobbs, who was stopped by Indian senior Justin Mager at the half-yard line.

"We're not an 0-3 team at all," Brown said. "Our kids left it all on the field again. They deserved a better fate tonight, they really did. "They did everything we asked them to do tonight and more."

Buttels led Sandwich with 137 yards rushing on 15 carries and three touchdowns, while senior teammate Futrell added 95 yards on 17 carries. Ritchie pounded out 77 yards on 14 totes as the Indians dominated the ground game.

"I know coach Brown and his kids are hurting tonight, but they really played their hearts out and I give them all the credit in the world," Avery said. "They gave us fits and everything we could handle. A game like this is just great for our confidence and shows that every team is competitive in our league. I'm certainly glad we came out on top and I am proud to be a part of such a great high school football game."

Sandwich (2-1) 7 14 0 7 7 7 -- 42

Seneca (0-3) 7 7 14 0 7 0 -- 35

First Quarter

SE -- Maierhofer 14 run (kick good), 10:52, 0-7.

SA -- Ritchie 6 run (kick good), 6:41, 7-7.

Second Quarter

SA -- Buttels 8 run (kick good), 11:25, 14-7.

SE -- Maierhofer 85 kickoff return (kick good), 11:12, 14-14.

SA -- Buttels 37 run (kick good), 6:52, 21-14.

Third Quarter

SE -- Maierhofer 12 run (kick failed), 6:51, 21-20.

SE -- Ugolini 1 run (run good), 0:56, 21-28.

Fourth Quarter

SA -- Ritchie 4 run (kick good), 3:25, 28-28.

First OT

SE -- Maierhofer 10 pass from Trager (kick good), 28-35.

SA -- Fowler 8 run (kick good), 35-35.

Second OT

SA -- Buttels 5 run (kick good), 42-35.

-- -- --

SA SE

First Downs 19 12

Rushes-yards 55-337 31-135

Passing 59 138

Total Offense 396 271

Comp-Att-Int 3-7-0 7-15-0

Fumbles-Lost 3-1 0-0

Penalties-Yards 3-35 7-70

-- -- --

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Sandwich: Buttels 15-137. Futrell 17-95, Ritchie 14-77, Fowler 9-28. Seneca: Maierhofer 14-72, Ugolini 12-57, Hobbs 7-23, Callahan 1-12, Trager 4-(-29).

PASSING (Comp-Att-INT-Yds.-TD) -- Sandwich: Fowler 3-7-0-59, 0 TD. Seneca: Trager 7-15-0-136, 1 TD

RECEIVING -- Sandwich: White 1-25, Mager 1-23, Hutchinson 1-11. Seneca: Callahan 4-60, Hobbs 2-69, Maierhofer 1-10.