Eagles get back on winning track with huge victory

Senior Dalton Scott ran for 97 yards and three touchdowns against Owen Valley on Friday night.

Banner Graphic file photo/JARED JERNAGAN

The South Putnam Eagles snapped a six-game losing streak with a dominating 42-0 victory over the Owen Valley Patriots on Friday night. The Eagles took 11th place in the Western Indiana Conference by winning the crossover game.

“We really needed this. We needed to get some confidence back,” South Putnam head coach Nathan Aker said. “We talk a lot about overcoming obstacles and that path. You have to enjoy the path. The kids really bought into it.”

The Eagles dominated in all phases of the game. South held the Patriots to just two, yes two, total yards of offense, including negative five yards rushing on the night and only three first downs.

The Eagles racked up 253 yards on the ground offensively as well as efficiently picking up 86 yards in the air.

“The offensive line, defensive line really controlled the game and dominated tonight,” Aker said.

Dalton Scott capped off the 63-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Scott then caught Riley Stone’s pass for the two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead.

The Eagles didn’t slow down as they took over near midfield on their second possession and Connor Cain exploded for a 38-yard touchdown run and the Eagles led 14-0 just halfway through the first quarter.

“We’ve got our eyes on bigger things (sectional title), but to come out, start fast and play well was good to see,” Aker said.

South kept up the pressure as it scored early in the second quarter. The Eagles put a seven-play, 54-yard drive together as Devin Cashion went around left end for a 17-yard score. Another Stone to Scott two-point conversion pass gave South a 22-0 lead.

The Eagles picked up their final touchdown of the first half through the air. Stone found Steven Schnepp for a 32-yard strike. Kole Bemish added the PAT kick and South led 29-0 at the half.

“Wow, what a night for Steven Schnepp. Great catches laying out and he got an interception,” Aker said of the junior receiver.

The Patriots still couldn’t muster any offense in the second half and the Eagles put the game away as Schnepp’s 30-yard catch set up another one-yard touchdown plunge by Scott and a 36-0 lead.

Scott added his third score a few minutes later, this one a five-yard run and the final margin was set at 42-0.

The fourth quarter was played with a running clock and featured liberal substitutions by both squads. Neither team scored in the final period, but it was helpful to the Eagles, according to Aker.

“We were able to string together four quarters and get everybody in the game,” the coach said. “We got some people back and healthy on the field.”

The Eagle defense was spearheaded by Scott, who was given the game ball by Aker as he went over 400 career tackles on the night.

Cain led the way with 104 yards rushing and Scott added another 97 yards on the ground. The Eagles were able to move the ball in the air as well as Stone was an efficient 5-of-10 passing for 86 yards.

The Eagles will host Indianapolis Shortridge next Friday in the opening round of Class A Sectional 45 play.

1st Qtr

SP – Dalton Scott 1 run (Scott from Riley Stone) 8-0, 9:20.

SP– Connor Cain 38 run (run failed), 14-0, 5.44.

2nd Qtr

SP -- Devin Cashion 17 run (Scott from Stone), 22-0, 11:14.

SP – Steven Schnepp 32 pass from Stone (Kole Bemish kick), 29-0, 3:46.

3rd Qtr

SP – Scott 1 run (Bemish kick), 36-0, 3:24.

SP – Scott 5 run (kick failed) 42-0, 1:14.

Individual statistics

Rushing – Owen Valley: Noah Cook 12-12, Mason Abney 2-0, Glen Hinshaw 1-(-3), Skylor Adams 1-(-4), Bryce Bault 3-(-2), Gavin Stephens 2-0, Jerry McBee 2-(-8). South Putnam: Conner Cain 12-104, Dalton Scott 20-97, Devin Cashion 3-22, Andrew Gilliland 5-21, Layton Workman 5-9.

Passing – Owen Valley: Skylor Adams 1-13-1 7. South Putnam: Riley Stone 5-10-0 86.

Receiving – Owen Valley: Mitchell Walden 1-7. South Putnam: Steven Schnepp 2-62, Hayden Switzer 2-10, Kain Gregory 1-14.

Next game: South Putnam (3-6) opens sectional play as they host Indianapolis Shortridge (2-7) next Friday.