GREENCASTLE — Friday’s game between Southmont and Greencastle was billed as a classic meeting between a passing-heavy team vs. a ground-heavy team. In the end it was the passing team that won a 35-28 win, but it was Greencastle’s ability to run that proved to be the difference.
The Tiger Cubs (4-5, 4-3) actually used its ground game to ice the game away in the second half after taking a 28-14 halftime lead. In the second half, Greencastle had more running plays (12) than passing plays (9) and they milked the clock for the win.
Greencastle senior quarterback Cole Stephens, who came into the game needing just 616 yards to break the state’s all-time career passing yardage, had a solid first half completing 13 of 22 passes for 154 yards and three touchdown passes to give the home team the halftime lead.
However, as Southmont (4-5, 3-4) is known for, it came out after the break and took the opening drive of the second half right down the field behind the running of sophomore Kasen Bushong who scored his third touchdown of the game to cut the lead to 28-21 midway through the quarter.
Both teams scored on their next possessions and the Mounties had a chance to try to tie the game after Greencastle missed a 27-yard field goal with 1:57 to play in the game. However, after taking over at the 20, a bad snap on the first play resulted in a loss of 14 yards and put the Mounties back at their own 6. Four plays later the Mounties turned the ball over on downs and Greencastle took two knees to close out the game.
“We did some things well,” Southmont coach Desson Hannum said. “Give credit to Greencastle. They played well. We tried to give their QB some different looks because if you don’t he will pick you apart. We just made a few mistakes and they cost us. We played hard, but we made a lot of uncharacteristic penalties that hurt and we will learn from them and get ready for Monrovia.”
Those mistakes Hannum referred to were a fumble in the first half that led to a Greencastle touchdown and the 12 penalties (for 115 yards). Three of the penalties were unsportsmanlike conducts and one resulted in the ejection of a Southmont player late in the fourth quarter.
The loss overshadowed a great game by the Mounties’ offense on the ground as it rushed for 314 yards. Bushong led the way with a career-high 238 yards (his second 200-yard game of the season) and all four Southmont touchdowns, including a 65-yarder on the Mounties’ first play of the game. His effort pushed him past the 1,000 yard mark for the season.
Stevens ended the game with 229 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air, and added 129 yards on the ground and a score. That included 60 yards on the ground in the second half as Greencastle had a season-high 26 rushes in the game.
Southmont will entertain Monrovia while Greencastle will travel to South Vermillion this week as sectional play begins.
