Southmont vs North Montgomery on the gridiron. Not much else needs to be said. A season ago the two county rivals were unable to play one another as the Chargers dealt with COVID-19. But this season the two will face off once again at Southmont with county and Sagamore Conference implications. What makes the rivalry even better this season is that both teams are 2-0 and one will get the luxury of dealing the other their first loss of the season.
North Montgomery comes into the game after victories over North Putnam and Hamilton Heights in their first two games of the season. The Charger defense has been stout allowing just 14 total points in their first two games of the season. Charger coach Josh Thompson knows that it’ll will take another strong performance on both sides of the ball if his Chargers are to take down their county rival.
“Our kids don’t need any extra motivation to get up for this game one bit,” Thompson said. “They understand what’s on the line and what’s at stake for the rest of our season. We’re excited especially after not getting to play the game last year. Our focus is always to have a great week of practice then come out and play our best on Friday night. We’re prepared now we just have to go out there and execute.”
Southmont comes in with wins over Fountain Central and North Putnam. Back in 2020, the last time the two county rivals squared off, it was all Chargers as they dominated the Mounties 28-6. This time around the Mounties and coach Desson Hannum will be out to prove that they are not going to be run over again.
“We expect the level of intensity to be high,” Hannum said. “There’s going to be a great crowd and this is a game I think it will be a ‘this is the kind of reason you play football’ type games. With both of us being 2-0 both sides will be excited to come out and play. We expect them to bring the pressure against on the defensive side and force the action. They’re defense is good and we know that’s what they’re going to lean their hat on.”
Southmont showed the ability a week ago to be able take whatever the opposing defense gives them as quarterback Nick Scott threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns in the win against the Cougars. That ability to be multi-dimensional will be key for both teams as they both try to stay undefeated.
“The expectation for us is that we continue to improve each game,” Thompson said. “I thought we improved from week two to week one and that’s our focus again this week. Defensively we have to know our responsibilities, read our keys and pursue to the ball. On the offensive side we have to sustain our blocks and know our assignments. The game will probably be determined up front but I know our kids are ready to go.”
Southmont started last season winning their first five games and Hannum notes how if his team is able to pull out a county win, they could set themselves up to do the same thing and start to really build momentum as they get into conference play.
“The importance of this game can’t be overstated,” he said. “Every single one of our guys will have to come ready to play. This game sets the tone for how the rest of the conference schedule will go. It’s one of those big early season games that have a ton of implications moving forward for both teams.”
The Mounties and Chargers will get things going at Mountie Stadium at 7 p.m. You can catch a live broadcast of the game with Bob Cox and Billy Rubenstein on WCDQ 106.3 beginning at 6:30.
