Lucas Lorian gets 5000 yards, Aker gets first win

Saturday, September 13, 2014
Lucas Lorian passed 5000 yards and ran for more than 250 yards on Friday. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

It was a big football game for both the Cougars and the Eagles as both teams were trying to gain an early advantage in the county standings. The Cougars were looking for their second win of the season while the Eagles were hoping to win for their homecoming crowd.

South Putnam didn't disappoint as a big game from running back Lucas Lorian helped the Eagles win 42-18.

"My team played well," Lorian said. "The whole team bought into playing well and ignoring the noise and really focusing on the game. We still had fun and enjoyed homecoming but we all bought in. They game was really important tonight."

Jonah Sanders and Josh Tubbs of South Putnam take down Blake Everts in the backfield Friday. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

Shortly into the first quarter Lorian and the offensive game opened with a ground assault and Lorian passed the 5000-yard mark fro his career at South Putnam.

"It feels really good," Lorian said. "It's a big reflection on South Putnam, and how well the line has been and how the team has been. It's a good feeling overall."

Lorian and the Eagles struck first when, after a 36-yard run the team punched it in from 8 yards out.

Jimmy Rutler and John Thibodeau try to stop North Putnam's Bradley Hodges from crossing the end-zone. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

"That's a kid that's special," Eagle coach Nathan Aker said of Lorian. "He does everything right and he's a team first guy."

The Cougars struck back when quarterback Bradley Hodges found some space in the defense and scampered to a 32-yard gain getting the team into scoring position. North Putnam took advantage of a goal line opportunity with running back Jake Riggen picking up the score. The kick was missed leaving the visitors down 7-6.

"I thought we did a good job at mixing up our offense tonight," Cougar coach Greg Barrett said. "We just had some mental breaks that hurt us."

South Putnam slipped up on the next drive when a pass completion by quarterback Grady McHugh turned into a fumble recovery by the Cougars.

North Putnam couldn't capitalize but the Eagles did o their next possession.

They went to a no-huddle and eventually Kyle Shaffer made it into the end zone and making the score 14-6.

"(Lorian) said it very well," Aker said. "It was the entire team. We talked about tackling through the whistle and blocking through the whistle. Those are team things. That's exactly what we did tonight."

After halftime the visitors continued to see a heavy dose of Lorian as the Eagles forced Cougars to chase Lorian all over the field. He eventually got into the endzone for his second score of the night. they led 21-6.

"Lucas Lorian is a tough running back," Barrett said. "He has great leg drive and he doesn't come down easy. We knew that. We were there making plays and we were just bouncing off him."

The Cougar effort wasn't lacking but the Eagles were flexing their muscles as the game wore on. McHugh hit Jimmy Rutler for a 33-yard pass that put the visitors in a tough position with the score 28-6.

Lorian went off again on a 61-yard run on the next possession and the score was 35-6. North Putnam was then able to get the drive going and capped it with another touchdown run from Riggen. The two-point failed and the score was 35-12.

Lorian wasn't done just yet as he and McHugh pushed then into a score with Lorian getting his fourth touchdown of the night.

North was able to respond before the final whistle when Ethan Christy topped off a long drive to make the final score 42-18.

"I'm very pleased with our effort,: Barrett said. "We didn't quit. We're getting better. We had a chance there tonight and we let it slip out of our hands in opportune times."

North Putnam will next take on e North Daviess at home and South will travel to Greencastle.


At South Putnam

NP 6 0 0 12 -- 18

SP 7 7 21 7 -- 42

Stats

Passing (att-comp-yds) Hodges (NP) 15-4-61 TD

McHugh 3-2-43

Rushing (att-yds)

NP

Hodges 25-109, Riggen 7-16, Everts 6-19 Christy 6-19, Judy 3-15

SP

Lorian 33-287 4TD, Shaffer 4-21 TD

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