NEW MARKET — Two teams that were tied atop the Sagamore Conference standings squared off on Friday when the 5-2 (4-1 SAC) Lebanon Tigers traveled to take on the 6-1 (4-1 SAC) Southmont Mounties. The game proved to a be a close one between two evenly matched teams and at the half just a single touchdown had been scored as Tiger signal caller Landon Fouts scored on a six yard touchdown run. The Mounties trailing 20-13 had the ball and were driving for the potential game-tying score. The play of the game came on a 4th & 1 with the Mounties inside the Tiger 30. Wyatt Woodall got the carry and was able to recover his own fumble, but when the officials came out for a measurement, they ruled him short of the line to gain and Lebanon was able to squeak out a 20-13 win.
“What Southmont does offensively, if you let them control the clock, they could hold it for an entire quarter,” Lebanon coach Jeff Smock said. “We weren’t good in some of our spots that led to their scores but a win is a win at the end of the day. We’re right where we want to be with a big opportunity next week.”
The Mounties out-gained the Tigers in yardage 296-159 but key plays throughout the game allowed the Tigers to seize momentum. Southmont got on the board late in the third quarter on a one yard score by Woodall. On the first play of the next drive for the Tigers, Carson Toole carried up the Lebanon side-line for a nice gain before putting the ball on the ground. Thankfully for Lebanon it bounced right into the hands of Kaden Lark who out-raced the entire Mountie defense into the end zone to make it 20-6.
The goal for Southmont coach Desson Hannum these last few games of the season has been for his team to compete with upper-echelon of the SAC. His team did just that on Friday and he was proud of their effort.
“You can’t question that part of the game. They played hard for a full 48 minutes and battled the entire game giving everything they had,” Hannum said. “As a coach you really can’t ask for much more than that. Going forward I hope this is something we can build off of as we look to next week.”
As close as the game was between the two SAC rivals it simply came down to a few plays here and there that ultimately proved the difference. Lark’s fumble recover TD, Woodall falling short on 4th & 1 were just a few examples.
“We did what we were supposed to do and made a play on defense, unfortunately the ball bounced right into the hands of probably their best player,” Hannum said. “It didn’t matter what the scoreboard said though tonight. We overcame adversity multiple times tonight and I couldn’t be prouder of that.”
Lebanon improves to 6-2 (5-1 SAC) with the win. The Tigers will get rival Western Boone (7-1, 5-1 SAC) at home next Friday with a chance to clinch the out-right SAC title. A rivalry game with the ultimate prize at stake is something that Smock and his team are definitely looking forward to.
“Last year’s game was tight to say the least and it’s always a battle when we play Western Boone,” he said. “When you play them it’s always going to be a crazy game. They’re obviously really well coached and have phenomenal players. We’re just happy we’ll be at home with it being senior night. It’ll be fun to see how our seniors step up in an environment like that.”
Before the game the Mounties recognized their eight seniors in Carson Chadd, Kion Cornelius, Nick Scott, EJ, Brewer, Seth Tolliver, Sam Line, Kellen Kaelin, and Skyler Wood. Those eight seniors have built the foundation for the success this Mountie team has had the last two seasons and Hannum knows their impact has been felt and they’ve left their mark on the Southmont program.
“Those guys have meant a lot to me as a coach and to this program.” he said of his eight seniors. “This group has been nothing but solid and have put in the time, effort, work and commitment to this team. It makes you proud as a coach to be able to coach a group like this.”
Southmont will conclude the regular season next Friday when they travel to Tri-West.
