South Putnam runs over Monrovia for 33-6 win

The South Putnam football team slip, slid and dove its way to a dominant victory against Monrovia on Friday, 33-6.

Sophomore running back Lucas Lorian led the way for the Eagles (6-2, 3-1), carrying the ball 30 times for 205 yards and two touchdowns, including a bulldozing 48-yard run in the third quarter.

SPHS coach Troy Burgess said his team handled the cold weather well by sticking to its game plan.

"I thought our kids did a tremendous job handling the weather," Burgess said. "These games, a lot of times, are won or lost on who can handle the weather; handle the conditions. (The players) came out focused from the get-go."

Steady rain, strong winds and cold weather forced both teams to adjust offensively, focusing the majority of their runs up the middle on safe handoffs.

The Eagles attempted only two passes, including a 30-yard touchdown from junior quarterback Sawyer Arnold to senior Codey Snow to open the scoring at 8:09 in the first quarter.

When Monrovia (3-5, 2-3) attempted to pass, things didn't go nearly as well.

In his six drop backs, Bulldogs quarterback Luke Judson completed only one pass, was sacked once and threw an interception.

Monrovia's triple-option run game was only marginally more successful.

"Our kids, our defensive staff, coach (Nathan) Aker, did a great job this week," Burgess said. "We put a great defensive plain in this week and the kids followed it.

"That's a big key against Monrovia. You've got to play assignment football."

The Eagles second touchdown came on a 21-yard run by junior Wes Riner at 10:41 in the second quarter, which completed an eight-play, 75-yard drive.

Riner finished with 39 yards on six carries.

Arnold added a two-yard touchdown run to make the score 21-0 at halftime.

SPHS opened the second half with a 12-play drive in which Lorian carried the ball eight times, including a three-yard touchdown.

"I feel like we're playing our best football right now, and that's important," Burgess said. "Our big guys up front are continuing to get stronger. Our backs are running hard. We're ready to go."

In addition their physical domination, the Eagles took care of the mental parts of the game.

They had only five penalties for 35 yards, compared to nine for 61 yards by Monrovia.

Monrovia also turned the ball over twice, a lost fumble and a 30-yard interception by Riner.

The Eagles lone turnover came on a fumble by junior varsity quarterback Noah Taylor late in the fourth quarter after the game had been decided.

It was the first SPHS lost fumble of the season, Burgess said.

Monrovia's lone score was a 30-yard touchdown run by senior Tyler Ellis with 30 seconds left in the third quarter.

South Putnam will play at Cascade next week in its regular season finale. They will learn their playoff fate on Sunday evening when sectional match-ups are drawn.

At South Putnam

Individual Stats
Rushing
Monrovia -- Ellis 12 rush, 74 yd, 1 TD, 0 Fum.; Fairfield 12, 34, 0, 0; Bucks 4, 19, 0, 0; Edmondson 1, 7, 0, 0; Benjamin 2, 1, 0, 0; Judson 2, -7, 0, 1
South Putnam -- Lorian 30, 205, 2, 0; Arnold 9, 57, 1, 2; Riner 6, 39, 1, 0; Wiggs 2, 15, 0, 0; Smith 1, 10, 0, 0; Bunten 1, 3, 0, 0; Cutshaw 1, 0, 0, 0; Taylor 2, -2, 0, 1.
Passing
Monrovia -- Judson 1/5, 34 yards, 0 TD, INT
South Putnam -- Arnold 2/2, 22, 1, 0
Receiving
Monrovia -- Adams 1 rec., 34 yds., 0 TD.
South Putnam -- Snow 1, 15, 1; Bumgardner 1, 7, 0.