Shaffer runs for five touchdows, Eagles 3-0

Monday, September 7, 2015

South Putnam junior Kyle Shaffer followed behind his offensive line for five touchdowns on the ground against South Vermillion. (Banner Graphic file photo)

CLINTON -- The South Putnam football players didn't let a weather delay deter them from a big victory Saturday morning. Finishing out a game that was delayed just before halftime due to lightning Friday, the Eagles were already up 34-6 before the break and they scored 13 more points on South Vermillion giving up only two more touchdowns on Saturday.

South Putnam (3-0) won 47-20 with Kyle Shaffer rushing for five of the team's seven touchdowns.

"What a great two-day kind of deal," Eagle coach Nathan Aker said. "The kids did a great job getting in early getting on the bus, going all the way back out there to Clinton. The performance of the team was phenomenal in both settings. I'm proud of everybody."

South Putnam's offense was the story of the first half. McHugh was very comfortable with his receivers in the first quarter, throwing two touchdowns, one to Dylan Woods for 23 yards and another to Jimmy Rutter for a six-yard score.

Rutter only caught two passes in the game but made each one count as his second catch was a 76-yarder from McHugh.

The second quarter was running back Kyle Shaffer's and the offensive line's.

"The offensive line was great," Aker said. "There was one touchdown late when (offensive lineman) Matt Schnepp drove a guy through the end zone. It was a phenomenal performance. We had some guys banged up a little bit and some other guys stepped up. I'm really pleased with the line of scrimmage and the way they played."

Shaffer found the end zone three times before the weather delay.

After play resumed on Saturday, South Vermillion scored its second touchdown of the game.

"Defensively we played great," Aker said. "It's the third time we've played an option team in three weeks. The line of scrimmage, linebackers and the secondary, everybody did their job. There were a lot of places where we tackled all three backs in a row. If you are playing the option that's huge."

The second half continued to go South Putnam's way and Shaffer continued his scoring with a three-yard touchdown making the score 41-12 at the end of the third.

Shaffer had one more big run in him as the offensive line allowed the running back to break a big 45-yard touchdown run to put the game on ice.

The Wildcats scored another touchdown but didn't ever come close to touching the Eagle lead and with Greencastle (1-2) coming to its field Friday, South Putnam looks eager for the challenge.

"It's added to the confidence," Aker said. "We felt pretty good after the scrimmage with Indianapolis Lutheran and we've just been able to build on that. The kids have bought in and they are kind of reaping the early rewards of a lot of hard work."

At South Vermillion

1st Quarter

SP -- McHugh 23 yd pass to Wood (kick by McHugh good)

SV -- Thorton 60 yd run (kick no good)

SP -- McHugh 6 yd pass to Rutter

2nd Quarter

SP -- Shaffer 10 yd run (kick no good)

SP -- Shaffer 2 yd run (kick by Hall good)

WEATHER DELAY 2:32 resumed Saturday 10 a.m.

SV -- Thorton 6 yd run (2 pt no good)

3rd Quarter

SP -- Shaffer 3 yd run (kick by Hall good)

4th Quarter

SP -- Shaffer 45 yd run (kick no good)

SV -- Dunegan 9 yd run, (2 pt Dunegan Run)

Rushing: 35-205 Shaffer: 20-169, Scott 6-28 McHugh 1-1, Plunkett 4 -- (-7), Gierke 2-15, Wood 2-9