Gibson rushes for 234 yards in Eagles' 42-18 win

MONROVIA--Rob Gibson used his power and speed to run for 234 yards and four touchdowns and quarterback Seth Hammond skillfully mixed in key pass completions to lead South Putnam past Monrovia 42-18 in a West Central Conference football game at Gordon Hadley Field.

Gibson's 24 carries included scoring runs of 23, 4, 31 and 49 yards. He also caught two passes for 28 yards from Hammond that kept two touchdown drives alive.

Hammond completed 6-of-6 for 96 yards. Fullback Wade Custis had four receptions for 68 yards.

Running back Zach Smith also had a productive game with 64 yards on 13 carries including touchdown runs of 1 and 12 yards.

The Eagles (6-2, 3-1 WCC) appear to be peaking at the right time, with its sectional two weeks away.

"You always hope you're playing your best at this time of the year and we feel like we're making strides," South Putnam coach Troy Burgess said. "But we've got some things to clean up."

The Eagles lost the ball three times on fumbles and also committed some penalties that allowed Monrovia to keep its touchdown drives alive.

"Fumbles and penalties will kill you come tournament time," Burgess said. "We need to take care of the football better and cut down on mistakes."

The turnovers and penalties didn't put the Eagles in any jeopardy against Monrovia (2-6, 2-3 WCC), which lost its fifth straight.

Gibson, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior, didn't do it alone, of course. South Putnam's offensive line gave him holes, some bigger than others. Gibson superior speed and strength turned small gains into big gains.

"Rob will be the first to tell you it all starts up front," Burgess said. "The other players were doing their jobs, creating holes and all he has to do is run. But he's got good speed and good power for a player with his speed. He can break tackles."

South Putnam doesn't throw often, but the 6-foot-2 Hammond was accurate when he does.

"Seth has done a great job all year converting," Burgess said.

South Putnam had 324 yards rushing and 420 in total offense.

At Monrovia

South Putnam 14 14 7 7 -- 42

Monrovia 0 12 0 6 -- 18

First quarter

SP -- Gibson 23 run (Yon kick) at 7:22

SP -- Z. Smith 1 run (Yon kick) at 1:26

Second quarter

SP -- Gibson 4 run (Yon kick) at 11:15

M -- Roberts 14 run (kick failed) at 7:13

SP -- Gibson 31 run (Yon kick) at 6:57

M -- Sichting 2 run (kick failed) at 2:18

Third quarter

SP -- Z. Smith 12 run (Yon kick) at 2:57

Fourth quarter

M---Dillon 2 run (pass failed) at 7:50

SP -- Gibson 49 ruin (Yon kick) at :43.1

Team statistics

Rushing: SP--Gibson 24-234, Z. Smith 13-64, Custis 3-12, Lorian 3-12, Hammond 2-2; M--Dillon 21-134, Bejnamin 11-79, Ty. Ellis 5-27, Roberts 3-19, Fairfield 1-(-3), Sichting 6-(-5).

Passing: SP--Hammond 6-6-0 96; M--Sichting 3-13-2 39.

Receiving: SP--Custis 4-68, Gibson 2-28; M--Fite 1-25, Stevens 1-12, Roberts 1-2.