South Putnam finds big plays from unheralded players

South Putnam senior Sawyer Arnold steps up in the pocket. Arnold stepped up metaphorically against Greencastle, throwing three touchdowns. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

After a grueling game, South Putnam had the ball fourth-and-goal from the Greencastle one-yard line. The Eagles handed it to their workhorse back, Lucas Lorian, who punched it in for his second score to ice the game.

It happened just as the roadmap to beating Greencastle describes. Except that it didn't. The Tiger Cubs defense came prepared to stop the run, and for most of the game they did.

But on a rainy night when the ball slipped around the field and the safe route to success was to pound it between the tackles, the Eagles went against the grain, spread the field with an empty backfield and let senior quarterback Sawyer Arnold lead the way through the air.

"We've got some kids that can make some plays," SPHS coach Troy Burgess said.

Arnold had three touchdown passes against GHS, surpassing the two total he had in the first four games of the year. Two of them went to the Eagles' starting wingback, senior Wes Riner.

Zane Yon (5) catches a touchdown pass down the middle of the field during the second quarter on Friday. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

Riner finished with seven catches for 171 yards. Arnold, after adding another 31-yard touchdown to tight end Zane Yon, finished 10-for-17 with 219 yards.

After the game Arnold said even he was surprised by the play-calling of the typically ground-centric Eagles.

"Not with Burge," he said. "It just kind of threw me for a loop when we went into (the spread offense)."

While Arnold put the team on his back offensively, he also took up a big challenge on defense. He lined up at cornerback opposite Greencastle senior Seth Brown, a tall speedster who has been dominant all season.

Brown came into the game with 465 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Arnold kept him to just two catches, even battling for position against his much-taller opponent to steal an interception in the second quarter.

"It was good just playing against him, but it's always good to have the upper hand," Arnold, who at 5-foot-7 gives up eight inches to Brown, said. "I like the challenge."

The players on the two rival schools know each other well, making the game that much more heated, but despite the mud it was a remarkably clean game.

That comes from having kids and coaches who know and respect each other, Burgess said.

Arnold echoed that sentiment. He grew up with Brown, who's grandmother babysat Arnold and his brother Tayler as kids, and Greencastle quarterback Tyler Scott.

"It's just fun playing with your friends," he said. "Brown is probably the best receiver we'll face all year. He's quick, tall and has the best hands of anyone around ... Except Jimmy Rutter."

Rutter, a sophomore for the Eagles, had four catches on Friday a big game last week.

Add him to the list of now-established playmakers the Eagles have, including Friday's stars Arnold, Riner, Yon, Klayton Vittetow and Lorian.

With that group, South Putnam could have a harder time figuring out how to give everyone the ball than their opponents have figuring out who to stop.