SAWMILLS, NC (October 10, 2016)…With the potential of Hurricane Matthew coming through the area, the Homecoming game at South Caldwell featured a Thursday Night edition where both the Spartans and the Red Tornadoes (not to be confused with hurricanes mind you) were seeking their first win of the season. Aside from the weather conditions and the Homecoming gala, playoff games are achieved by winning conference games. Given the current state playoff pod system, neither squad is officially eliminated.
While the Spartans outgained the Red Tornadoes in total offense yards, crucial mistakes such as interceptions, fumbles along with missed assignments on defense enabled Hickory to get into the win column by the count of 40-28.
The Red Tornadoes were led by quarterback Darrien Phillips, who accounted for 269 of the team’s 310 total yards. Phillips erased South’s 21-19 halftime lead on the first play of the third frame as he ran through the Spartan defense forty-one yards to the house. After a Spartan turnover on the very first play of their next series, Hickory scored another touchdown in ten plays to increase their lead to 33-21.
As long as Tyler Goins is in your backfield, never count this team out. Switching to a wildcat formation, Goins, along with utility man Karson Hilton, drove the football well into their opponent’s territory while beginning the drive at their own 3. Quarterback Jesse Connor, returning from an early season injury, fortified this fourteen play, 97-yard drive with a 43-yard strike to Hilton. Three plays later, Goins smashed through the Hickory defense from the 1, cutting the score to 33-28 with 10:50 left in regulation.
The Spartans had another five-minute drive with 7:38 left in the game, but two incomplete passes stalled resulting in turning the football over on downs with 2:51 left. Five plays later, Phillips ran down the left side for 57 yards to the end zone, sealing the Red Tornadoes victory, leaving South at 0-7 and still seeking their first win.
Goins led the Spartans offensive charge with 188 yards on 37 carries along with Hilton’s 78 and 48 yards rushing and receiving. Connor looked sharp overall in his return to the lineup, completing eight passes for 93 yards with one touchdown strike to Hilton midway through the second period.
South Caldwell will be at home again this Friday evening to face the Freedom Patriots, a team Hickory took to the mat before falling 42-35. Given that the Spartans could have very well won this game; know they are capable of pulling off the stunner. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm, i.e. unless another hurricane or tornado sneaks up on us.
Sights and sounds from Jack Clarke field:
Congratulations to Alex Knight on being crowned Homecoming Queen for 2016 and Jordan Alley as Maid of Honor. Everyone looked so elegant out there during the pageantry. There was also the aesthetic side the crowd saw in Lacey Annas, one of the attendants for Homecoming. Do not be deceived however, for this young lady can wreak much havoc in the middle on the basketball court and she will make life miserable for opposing 4 and 5’s when basketball season officially sets in.
The Spartan Regiment was sharp, as they always are, not only with their marching prowess but even more with being on pitch with playing their musical instruments. Years ago, I recall some marching bands who did their marching routines very proficiently however, they sounded like dying farm animals when playing their instruments. Kudos to the outstanding leadership of Mr. Childers!
Have to say, excellent turnout even with the game being moved to Thursday. Even though it has been a difficult season thus far, Spartan Nation does an excellent job in getting behind their student body.
Scoring Summary
SC- Goins 9 run, Maysonet kick, 7:59 1st
HKY- Phillips 9 run, Boston kick, 4:53 1st
HKY- Staton 24 pass from Phillips, run failed, 2:15 1st
SC- Hilton 8 pass from Connor, Maysonet kick, 7:57 2nd
SC- Connor 2 run, Maysonet kick, 2:28 2nd
HKY- Shuford 27 pass from Phillips, Boston kick, 0:34 2nd
HKY- Phillips 41 run, Boston kick, 11:44 3rd
HKY- Staton 27 pass from Phillips, Boston kick, 8:00 3rd
SC- Goins 1 run, Maysonet kick, 10:50 4th
HKY- Phillips 57 run, Boston kick, 0:49 4th
Yardstick
SC HKY
First Downs 17 9
Rushes/Yards 55-263 29-225
C-A-I 9-19-1 7-14-0
Passing Yards 89 105
Total Yards 353 310
3rd Down Conv 6-15 5-11
4th Down conv 3-4 1-2
Penalties-Yards 7-55 9-45
Time of Poss 25:19 22:41
Individual Stats
SC: Rushing- Goins 37-188, 2 TD, Hilton 9-78, Monroe 1-4, Raynor 1-8, Martin 1-2, Piercy 1-0, Connor 5- -17;
Passing- Connor 8-17-1 93, TD, Goins 1-1-0 -3, Hilton 0-1-0; Receiving- Hilton 3-48,TD, Martin 2-9, Raynor 2-6,
Goins 2-13, Summer 1-14
HKY: Rushing- Phillips 12-164, 3TD, McCluney 13-62, Shuford 2- -3, Carlton 2- 1, Staton 1-1; Passing- Phillips 7-14-0 105, 3TD,
Receiving- Staton 3-59,2TD, Shuford 3-49,TD, McCluney 1- -3