NEW MARKET -— Southmont went on the road and got back to their winning ways with a 21-7 win over Cascade last week in the sectional opener. Now, coming home, the challenges looms larger as Southmont (6-4) will welcome the three-time defending Class A state champion Lafayette Central Catholic (6-4) as they make the move up to Class 2A.
This will only be the second meeting ever between the Mounties and the Knights. Central Catholic defeated South Vermillion 53-20 last Friday night. Southmont football coach Desson Hannum knows nothing is guaranteed at this point in the season and his team has earned themselves one more week of football.
“Playing this week is a bonus for us,” Hannum said. “At this point you are trying to do everything in your power to extend your season one more week and that what we’re trying to do. It will all come down to how well we play on Friday night.”
The Knights come in with a high powered offense that averages 35 points per game. Clark Barrett mans the quarterback position and has thrown for 2,575 yards on the year with 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Baylor Smith provides the Knights with great balance in the run game with 189 carries for 1,075 yards and ten scores. The top two pass catchers include Ty Buche and Evan Dienhart. Buche leads the team with nine touchdowns while putting up 703 yards receiving. Dienhart leads the team in yards with 799 and has scored six touchdowns.
“They’re a very good team with lots of tradition,” Hannum said. “They’ve played some good competition and they’re one of the better teams in our class right now. We have to up for the task because all-around they are a solid football team.”
Last week against the Cadets the Mounties did commit two turnovers, one of which resulted in a 100-yard interception return for the Cadets which was their only points of the game. Hannum knows his team will have to limit those kind of mistakes if they want to keep pace with the Knights.
“We want to make sure that we are better in that area he said. We did address those mistakes this week in practice so it’s just a matter of going out there and executing at a high level.”
Offensively last week for the Mounties they were able to get back to their style of football as they rushed for 292 yards on the ground. Wyatt Woodall ended the game with 27 carries for 190 yards and a touchdown. If the Mounties want to keep the high-powered Knights offense off the field, they will have to have another good performance on the ground.
“We’ll have to move the chains and pick up first downs when we can,” Hannum said. “Most importantly we’ve got to be able to punch the ball in the end zone when we have a chance. Anytime you can keep their offense off the field you’re better off.”
The winner between the Mounties and Knights will take on the winner of Monrovia and Speedway next Friday night for the sectional championship.
