CHS homecoming spoiled by South Putnam

Saturday, September 27, 2014
South's Jimmy Rutter (24) out-jumped Artie Lewis (45) for the touchdown on Friday in the first half. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

CLOVERDALE--An early score by Cloverdale and a fierce running game spearheaded by Ethan Boyd, could not stop South Putnam from gaining a victory against its rival Friday night.

The Eagles ran behind Kyle Shaffer for most of the game and came away with the big win 21-12

"I'm proud of the effort," South Putnam coach Nathan Aker said. "We've had a really rough week. Our kids bounced back. We knew what we were getting into with Cloverdale. They want that (Putnam County) bucket. They wanted to get after us. It's the kind of game where everybody was getting after it. Coach Duff has got a great team."

Ethan Boyd knock Jimmy Rutter out of bounds. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

The adversity didn't end with Joey Masters, who is one of the team's top linemen and was out with an injury. RJ Speedy broke his ankle during practice this week and is likely out for the rest of the season.

"We showed a lot of emotion," Shaffer said. "I like that because we really can get a lot of turnovers. With people stepping in like Josh Bills and Cody Wyatt I could really say the whole team did a great job. I appreciate even playing with the boys."

The Eagles, however, stepped up after being down early when Freddie Fislar scored a big touchdown early to make the game 6-0. The extra point was an interception by Jimmy Rutter.

With the lead in hand Cloverdale managed to get the ball back into the redzone but was unable to come away with points.

"Probably the most critical point in the game was we were up 6-0 and we had played so great," CHS coach Jarrod Duff said. "We completed a pass down to the five-yard-line and once again we don't get it into the end zone from inside the 10."

The first half evolved into a stalemate before the Eagle team was able to get the ball rolling with less than a minute before halftime.

With a few seconds to go, the Eagles ran a halfback pass in which Shaffer threw to Rutter who out-jumped Artie Lewis for the catch making the score 7-6.

After halftime Cloverdale had the ball stripped from Boyd by Shaffer who then turned a four-play drive, into a 7-yard touchdown run to give the Eagles a 14-6 lead.

On the next South drive Lucas Lorian was the workhorse, running behind the offensive line before Shaffer was able to score on a 2-yard run making the score 21-6.

Duff said that while the team faced adversity in practice and on the field he was proud of the way his fought and the effort that the Clovers showed all game.

"I thought that the thing that worked best was our team's mental toughness," Duff said. "We have had so much adversity this year with so many things that we have had to overcome. The fact that these kids can believe in what we are telling them and believing that if they keep getting after it and working that they will be rewarded. I'm just proud of them. They are playing there hearts out for them. It had more to do with the heart that they showed tonight."

Kyle Shaffer making a move to the outside for a big gain against the Clovers. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

That heart allowed the Green Machine to push the Eagles backward on a drive with Jackson Szczerbik forcing a fumble in the backfield during the third quarter and gain possession after a bad punt.

Fislar then took a reverse down the sideline for a 55-yard touchdown run that was called back due to a controversial holding call. This killed the drive but the Clover defense held strong.

"I thought our kids played well," Duff said For most of the game I thought we outplayed South Putnam. We had a few more critical mistakes again. We work on it in practice. We work on those situations and we aren't getting it done. I need top do a better job as a coach in just figuring out what we need to do."

After gaining possession in the fourth quarter Boyd broke multiple tackles and scampered to a 50-yard touchdown run for Cloverdale. The failed extra point made the score 21-12 Eagles with three minutes to play.

Duff said that during the upcoming week in practice Cloverdale will be focused on building the talent and continuing to improve each day.

"Just getting better every day," Duff said. "The same things that we have been preaching to them all along. We haven't really changed anything we've done since the first day of practice this year. We work on fundamental and we work on team stuff. I keep telling them that if we keep working hard they are going to be rewarded for it."

Ethan Boyd breaking tackles for the big touchdown run. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

The Eagles pushed the ball down the field for one more Lorian score for good measure before missing the extra point to end the game at 27-12.

"Everybody did their part. We just stepped up," Shaffer said. "The line did great blocking and they didn't give up. The defense tired them out and we played South Putnam ball. The offense opened up the holes and the running backs ran through the holes. It's that simple."


At Cloverdale High School

South Putnam 0 7 14 6--27

Cloverdale 6 0 0 6--12

Team Stats

SP C

Total Yards 395369

First Downs 16 14

Penalties 10-95 4-35
Fumbles 2 2
Turnovers 1 2


Statistics

South Putnam

Passing (C-ATT YDS): McHugh (3-6) 41, INT Shaffer 1-1 20 TD

Receiving (C-YDS): Rutter 2-30 TD, Yon 1-11.

Rushing (ATT-YDS): Shaffer 15-185, Lorian 26-163, McHugh 2-(-12).

Cloverdale

Passing (C-ATT YDS): Hughes (3-10) 41 INT.

Receiving (C-YDS): Fislar 1-30, Jackson 2-11.

Rushing (ATT-YDS): Boyd 28-176, Jackson 6-35, Fislar 2-31.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: