Final

Sorry...system logged me out before I could submit...I'll try to shorten...

 

TREMENDOUSLY EXCITING GAME TO START THE SEASON!!!!!

 

South's Michael Gray ran 23 times for 138 yards, and South's defense slammed the door on Woodford late (just 13 yards of offense in the fourth quarter and OT, including 0 for 8 passing with one INT) as South wins their 2010 opener...

 

Both teams with first-year coaches, trying to erase last year's disappointments (South was 3-8; Woodford started 2009 5-2, but lost their last four).

 

14-14 tie after one period as the two teams kept the scoreboard busy. South had 150 yards total offense (127 rushing) in the first period alone; Woodford took advantage of a South turnover and got a big play to keep pace.

 

Woodford up 7-0 after South fumbled the opening KO on their own 20. Three plays later, on 3rd and 10 from the 20, Ryan Garrahan was hit as he threw, but still managed to get a wounded duck pass into the hands of Kendrick Brown in the EZ.

 

South responded on their next possession, going 75 yards on 9 plays - all on the ground. Gray went over from 6 to tie the game at 7.

 

South scored again on their next possession, going 50 yards on just four plays. Jake Nichter went around the left end from 7 yards out, diving in for the score to make it 14-7.

 

Woodford tied it with a big play with 1:10 left in the 1Q; Matt Couch threw a bubble screen to Brown, who went 66 yards for the tying score.

 

The game suddenly became "blue collar" after the first period as both teams settled in. Woodford had a chance to go up before the half, but the kicker missed a short field goal.

 

Woodford got a TD early in the third; Couch threw to Ian Smarr from 8 yards out to give WC a 21-14 lead.

 

It stayed that way until midway in the fourth, when Couch - from inside his own 10 - threw a pass that was picked by South linebacker Reid Gilson, who ran it back to the two. Cody Kollenberg ultimately took the ball in from the one on a QB sneak to tie the game at 21 with 6:47 left in the game.

 

Both teams' offenses struggled in the fourth. Woodford had just 13 yards of total offense in the fourth period and in OT, and went 0-8-1 passing during that time. South had just 9 yards rushing in the fourth and 4 yards passing (1 of 3 passing). But in OT, South had enough gas to get the biggest play.

 

Woodford got the ball first, and after gaining no yards on three plays, settled for a 27 yard FG. 24-21, Woodford.

 

On first down, Gray lost a yard for South, but on second down, Nichter took a pitch to the right and went around the end, untouched, into the end zone from 11 yards out to give SOHS the win, 27-24.

 

Both teams had missed chances: Woodford missed a short field goal late in the first half; South fumbled the ball away inside the Woodford 5 yard line, and later just missed on a "home run" play on a halfback option pass when the pass was just barely too long for a wide-open receiver.

 

Unofficial stats:

Rushing: South 49 carries - 227 yards Woodford 19 carries - 17 yards

Passing: South 3-9-0 0 TD 44 yards Woodford 13 - 37 - 2 3 TDs 218 yards

Turnovers: South 3 (3 fumbles) Woodford 2 (2 interceptions)

 

Good luck to both teams the rest of the season!

Congrats to South, I bet they feel great this morning.

Very emotional moment for the kids and the fans, I think. Coach Reed truly has something to build on....