By Coach Brad Lord, South Lake High School
The Eagles scored a major victory on senior night defeating South Sumter High school 24-20. It was a very physical game and the Eagles put together their best performance of the year dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The Raiders scored first after the Eagles did not convert on a 4th down from their own 40 yard line early in the second quarter. The defense for the Eagles after that score really picked it up flipping field position and getting the Eagle offense back on the field at the end of the second quarter. Sam Wood would explode off the left side for a 17 yard touchdown run behind some great blocking from Mark Elder, Landon Coning, Andrew Carter and Brian Bedingfield. The half would end tied 7-7.
To start the third quarter Wood and Jaylen Parmley would have some big runs getting the Eagles inside the South Sumter forty yard line. Freshman quarterback Walker Motley would hook up with senior wide receiver Willie Dixon on a 35 yard touchdown pass giving the Eagles a 14-7 lead early in the third quarter.
The Eagle Defense would own the line of scrimmage in the third quarter constantly putting the Raiders behind the chains. Quoy Nelson, Anthony Johnson, Ronnie Rousse, Ky- mani Gardner, PJ Davis, and Jayden Kaley were constantly in the backfield in the Raider backfield. Tj Cummings, JD Lovelace, Ahvioume Scott, Joseph Robinson, Malcolm Jones, Sam Amarista , and Jariah Powe were securing the back end shutting down the Raider passing attack. The Eagles would score again midway in the third quarter on a 22 yard run by Parmley giving the Eagles a 21-7 lead. South Sumter would score narrowing the game to 21-14. The Eagle offense would have to punt and senior Zaide Nance hit a great one pinning the Raiders deep into their own territory as the third quarter winded down. South Sumter would then throw a pass on the next play and senior linebacker TJ Cummings would pick it off to end the third quarter setting the Eagles up inside the South Sumter Red Zone. The Eagles offense would not get the first down and with three minutes left in the game Marcelo Velez- Cortes would come on and drill a 27 yard field goal to put the Eagles ahead 24-14 with 3:45 left to go. South Sumter was not finished as they drove the ball right down the field and scored with 45 seconds left on the clock aided by some costly penalties against the Eagles. The Raider extra point would fail and South Lake stayed ahead 24-20 with 38 seconds left in the game. South Sumter attempted an on side kick and senior Kyson Cleveland went up high and got the ball securing the Eagle victory.
“ I am so excited for this senior class and football team. We had the 8th hardest schedule in the state this season. We had some big time season ending injuries to big time players that we had to overcome. Our student body watches films on resiliency at our school monthly. This team is resilient. The players could of quit when they went through some rough stretches but the players never did. They believed in one another. The players kept showing up to practice daily putting the work in. Our coaches kept showing up daily coaching our players up every practice. I am honored and blessed to witness how this Eagle Football team put it together for senior night beating a very good South Sumter Football Team. Hard work pays off what a great night. These seniors have had a great run and have been a lot of fun to coach. “
Date of next opponent; TBA
