DANVILLE — Southmont football knew that their season would get a lot tougher beginning this week as they put their 5-0 record on the line taking on Danville who is ranked No. 4 in Class 3A. From the get go, the Warriors offense clicked, scoring touchdowns on their first three drives of the game. Southmont had little to no answers to stop the high-powered Danville squad and they suffered their first loss of the season 43-0.
Senior running back Andrew Poppa got the scoring started with a 27-yard touchdown pass from fellow senior, quarterback Kale Payne.
Even though the scoreboard said 43-0, Southmont coach Desson Hannum saw the game a little differently.
“Despite what the score might say, this might be the best game we have played all year,” Hannum said. I was very proud of the way our guys continued to compete until the end. We have tough kids on this team and I hope people take that away and the heart and passion we played with, and not just look at the score.”
Southmont (5-1 ,2-1 SAC) had their chances to put points on the board, however key penalties stalled a drive in Danville territory and also gave the Warriors a free first down on third down. A third and five for Southmont turned into a 3rd and 15 and the Mounties were forced to punt.
“All of the little things matter against a team like Danville,” Hannum said. “That’s what we tried to tell the guys this week. We knew that we’d have to play an almost perfect game to win. They (Danville) are one of the top teams in the state for a reason.”
One highlight of the night for the Mounties came when junior quarterback Nick Scott dumped a screen pass off to Sophomore fullback Wyatt Woodall who took it 54 yards inside the Warrior 20 yard-line in the final minute of the first half. Unfortunately, the Mounties turned it over on downs as the Warrior took a knee to go into the locker room up 28-0. Woodall along with that 54-yard catch also carried the ball 17 times for 62 yards to tally a total of 116 yards in the game.
“We executed the right call at the right time,” Hannum said of the screen pass. “Wyatt just did what we know he can and that’s make guys miss and bounce off guys. He did his job of getting us in position to score. Going forward, we just have to capitalize off situations like that.”
Payne ended the game for the Warriors 13-19 for 187 yards and three touchdowns. Braxton Fulwider (22 yards) and Tyler Dostin (11 yards) both found the endzone along with Poppa. The experience factor played a role on all three touchdowns as the seniors showed off their chemistry.
Even going up against a talented and experienced offensive unit that the Warriors possess, the Mountie defense held their own for most of the game and didn’t allow many big plays. They forced the Warriors to methodically move down the field and that’s what ended up happening.
“We were in positions to make a play on the ball many times tonight,” Hannum said. “If a few of those go our way, who knows how the game might have turned out.”
Next up for the Mounties, they will welcome the three-time state champion Western Boone Stars (4-2, 2-1 SAC) to Mountie Stadium. Hannum and the rest of his team knows that his team can compete with the top teams in the conference.
“After tonight, I feel like our kids can take away that we can compete with the top teams in the conference,” he said. “They belong on that field with those teams and hopefully we can carry that with us these next few weeks.”
