Spartans Fall on Saint Ninety Yard Drive by Dan O’Neal

HICKORY, NC (November 1, 2019) — For forty-five minutes and forty seconds, South Caldwell was in the lead in their conference matchup at Saint Stephens. South even had a fourteen point lead up until the 4:04 mark of the fourth period. That is when the Indians scored on a Connor Williams two-yard run and placekicker Chance Yang adding the extra point, placing the Indians down by seven.

On the Spartans next drive, the Indians stalled their drive forcing a punting situation at their thirty-nine. On fourth and six, Spartans punter Alex Reaves blasted a beautiful fifty-one-yard punt where the special teams downed the football at the Saint ten-yard line; assuredly not ideal field position for any squad with only 2:20 left in regulation.

From there, it was all Williams, who completed five of nine passes and had a huge impact rush for twenty yards. Basically, it was like a two-minute drill, completing passes on slant routes ran efficiently by the Saint wideouts. What it looked like was Williams being a highlight reel on that ninety-yard drive. What it resulted in was a four-yard touchdown strike to Zac McPherson with thirty-five tics left on the game clock, cutting into the Spartans lead at 28-27.

Now it was the moment of the extra point. Instead of kicking, Williams culminated the long yardage drive with a run of his own, making good on the two-point conversion. After receiving the kickoff and time running out, South fumbled on a first and ten which was recovered by the Indians and preserving the 29-28 come from behind win.

On the evening, South Caldwell gained a total of 312 yards from the line of scrimmage. At the onset of the contest, Isaiah Kirby heaved a spectacular halfback pass to a wide-open Austin Raynor, who sprinted eighty yards to the house. Quarterback Avery Raynor accounted for three of the Spartans scores on the night gaining 105 yards on the ground while Kirby gained 115 yards on twenty touches.

It can be assured stated that the Spartans have been most competitive in every game during the 2019 season. That competitive edge will be most pivotal as they close out the regular season against longtime conference rival Alexander Central.

This meeting will have absolutely nothing to do with the Cougars being coached by former head coach Butch Carter; that subject matter is very much old news. Rather, it is more relative to South hosting a first-round playoff matchup. Also, with the season finale being at home, those seniors with the heart of a Spartan have great desire to finish “Spartan strong.” Game time is the usual 7:30pm (weather permitting as always)