Southmont football arguably has the toughest task in the Sagamore Conference the final four weeks every season. Taking on Danville, WeBo, Lebanon, and Tri-West in four straight games in never an easy task. The Mounties competed well in those four games, but do enter the opening round of the Class 2A Sectional 37 on a four-game skid. South finished the regular season at 4-5 and is set to host the 5-4 Sullivan Golden Arrows when the two teams open sectional play on Friday.
The rugged schedule that the Mounties have faced in the SAC has always prepared them well for when they compete in the 2A Sectional. Southmont coach Desson Hannum knows his team has been through the wars of the last few weeks and is more than ready for the post-season.
“We know that when we get through that four week stretch, we’re going to be battle tested,” he said. “Playing through the gauntlet really shows us what we are as a team in all aspects. It challenges us mentally, physically and emotionally and as a coach is shows us what we’re made of. We’ve had our opportunities in those games, but have just come up short. This week it’s about making up that small difference between winning and losing.”
The Golden Arrows come into post-season play with a 48-0 win over West Vigo a week ago and winners of three of their last four. They’re led out by sophomore QB Blake Fraker who during the regular season completed 101-169 (59.8%) of his passes for 1,369 yards and 12 TD’s to go along with five interceptions. Sullivan doesn’t run the ball that well, only with 573 total rushing yards on the season and 2.8 yards per carry. Junior Laytin Huff is their leading rusher with 78 carries for 299 yards and three TD’s. The Golden Arrows feature three different receivers who have 300+ yards on the year. Senior Seth Pirtle has 19 catches for 345 yards and four scores, junior DJ Gaines also has 345 yards on 29 catches and Ethan Garrett has racked up 323 yards on 16 catches.
“Their stats show that they like to put the ball in the air,” Hannum said of their opponent. “There’s going to be some 50/50 balls in the air that we’ve got to come down with. Our defense has to make plays to get our offense out there hopefully in good field position.”
Senior QB for the Mounties Nolan Boyer has put together a solid season in his first year at the helm. Boyer is 70-140 (50%) for 1,097 yards and 11 TD’s. He’s also added 477 rushing yards on the year. Senior fullback and linebacker Wyatt Woodall has had himself quite the last two weeks. Two weeks ago he became the 5th person in county history to run for 3,000 yards in a career and last Friday Woodall cemented his name as the all-time tackles leader for the Mounties. On the year Woodall is 101 yards away from 1,000 with 899 yards and 16 TD’s on the season. He’s added 118 tackles which puts him 15th in the state. Kyler McCandless leads South with 537 yards and six TD’s receiving.
South has won their sectional opener each of the last two seasons and looks to continue that trend.
“We have a lot of guys that have played a lot of games for us including some four-year starters,” Hannum said of his teams experience entering the post-season. “Those guys know what to expect when they get ready for the sectional and they’re going to lead our younger guys. I expect us to come out and play well and get a win.”
Kickoff between the Golden Arrows and Mounties is set for 7 p.m. and you can catch a live broadcast of the game on 106.3 WCDQ beginning at 6:30 as Jared McMurry and Brett Cating will have the call.
