The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Scott Dillard, Southern Head Coach
Well, the season has finally started. As most of the parents can tell you, all the kids are very happy that the two-a-days and early morning practices are gone!
Saturday, August 30th started off the season, and what a start!
Trenton Wesclin got on the board first with a 26 yard pass, but the Rebels marched right back down the field and scored on a nice effort by Garrett Lenz on a shovel pass. The extra point was no good, and at the end of the 1st quarter, the score was tied at 6-6.
The Rebel defense did a great job in the 2nd quarter and held Wesclin deep in their own territory forcing a punt.
Jerry Morris blocked the punt with a great effort, and after what seemed like 5 minutes from the coach's box and some scrambling at the end zone, Garrett Lenz dived on the ball for a Rebel touchdown. The two point conversion was good giving the Rebels a 14-6 halftime lead.
The 2nd half started off fast with a Wesclin touchdown pass at 8:19 in the 3rd quarter. The Rebels fumbled the next kick-off and Wesclin scored on a pass play 16 seconds later. It resulted in a score of Wesclin 18, Rebels 14.
Then came the big play of the game - a boot pass to Ben Jacob for 51 yards which got us out of the hole.
Southern then scored on an option play right to Matt McIntire who scored on a nice run. The two-point play was good making the score 22-18 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
At 9:21 in the 4th quarter, again McIntire made a nice 10 yard run to make the score 28-18 in favor of the Rebels.
The Rebels relaxed a little and with 3:38 left, Wesclin scored with a 15 yard pass (extra point good) shortening the Rebel lead to 28-25.
It was "nervous time" - the Rebels just needed to run out the clock.
Two running plays got us nothing and then a pass is intercepted, giving Wesclin the ball.
Wesclin moved the ball to the Rebel 18 yard line where they were stopped. A nice boneman defense stand held them inches short of a first down. With the Rebs 3 yards out and 10 seconds left, they are forced to punt. Wesclin is called for roughing the punter with 3 seconds left.
We turned down the penalty - which was my mistake, not the kids' - we should have taken the ball back and run out the clock.
But instead, and hold your breath, we had one last play.
Wesclin tried the "hook and ladder" (which we're very used to) and fumbled on the play. Matt Kane fell on it and the Rebels win!
The kids did a great job for their first game under a new coach.
The Rebels have a big game on Friday night at home against Orion which is their only night game.
The Fresh/Soph game is at 5:30 p.m. with the Varsity following. Hope to see all you great Rebel fans there.
Southern Stats:
Reb Scoring: Garrett Lenz 9 pass from Matt Kane (kick blocked).
Lenz recovered blocked punt in end zone (Matt McIntire run)
McIntire 4 run (Kane pas to Ben Jacob)
McIntire 10 run (pass failed)
SHS Ind. Rushing: McIntire 12-37; Chase Heap 9-22, Darick Clark 3-20, Lenz 11-12, Travis Winters 1-(-1); Kane 3-(-5).
Passing: Kane 7-14-1-164
Matt McIntire #11 sprints in for a Rebel touchdown.
Garrett Lenz-21 blocks the way as Darick Clark-24 sweeps the ball thru the pass. (-photo by Dessa Rodeffer)
Jerry Morris-83 blocks the kick which resulted in a touchdown for the Rebs after Garrett Lenz dives on the loose ball in the end zone.. (-photo by Dessa Rodeffer)
Southern Cheerleaders are Paige Lafary, Casey Gibb, Robin Guile, Courtney Fox, Kayla Coffey, Symone Robinson. Varsity: Mallory McCollum, Kim Plath, Rachael Bundy, Laur Hershmann, JoHanna Livermre and Megan McCollum