South Putnam escapes county battle with 6-0 victory

South Putnam defenders haul Cloverdale’s Logan Abner to the ground during Friday night’s game. The Eagles won 6-0.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

CLOVERDALE -- Great Scott!

The South Putnam Eagles traveled to county rival Cloverdale on Friday night and rode four-year starter Dalton Scott to a 6-0 victory to open the football season.

Scott rushed for 62 yards, caught a pass for 27 yards, not including a 35-yard touchdown pass called back for a penalty. He scored the game’s only touchdown on a one-yard run in the third quarter.

The all-stater also dominated the game defensively.

“He just put us on his shoulders and got it done,” South Putnam head coach Nathan Aker said.

The Eagles were not just a one-man show as they utilized numerous players trying to eliminate the need for going both ways. South eventually wore down the Clovers as the game progressed.

“I thought we wore them down. We were playing a lot of people tonight and a lot of younger kids,” Aker said. “We got good games out of a lot of kids. Gabriel Langley made some good plays, Xavier Langley ran the ball well in the fourth quarter and Hayden Switzer had a big interception.”

Clover head coach Winders echoed Aker’s statement. “We got tired. We ran out of gas. That won’t happen again.”

Cloverdale started the game by putting an impressive drive together. The Clovers had nine plays and 51 yards, but turned the ball over on downs at the Eagle 25-yard line to come up empty.

“We really came out well and had some good plays, but we couldn’t keep it going,” Winders said.

Cloverdale had almost two-thirds of its total yardage on the night in that first drive, but Aker was proud of how his defense responded.

“We made an adjustment to cover their guards after the first drive,” Aker said. “Those two guards are big guys. We have had some big guys, but they make them look like pee-wee players. Our defense was pretty solid.”

After trading punts to open the second half, the Eagles finally put together a drive. Sparked by a Switzer 22-yard punt return, the Eagles drove 58 yards in 15 plays to take a 6-0 lead on Scott’s touchdown run.

“He is tough to handle. We had a lot of trouble containing him (Scott) on both sides of the ball,” Winders said.

Cloverdale battled back in the fourth quarter and drove inside the Eagle 30-yard line, but Switzer intercepted a Parker Watts pass inside the 10-yard line to snuff out the threat.

The Eagles then used their running game to ice the ballgame. South picked up a couple of first downs on two different possessions to keep the ball out of the Clovers’ hands.

They trusted their defense who came up big time and again with big tackles or forcing turnovers.

The Eagle running game piled up 139 yards on 53 rushing attempts, but a couple of big sacks made those numbers look worse than they were.

Aker saw a lot out of his team in this game that was encouraging.

“It all starts up front. Those guys (offensive and defensive line) were tough,” Aker said. “I also saw a lot of leadership by them in the huddle. They kept saying ‘run the ball behind me.’”

Cloverdale’s coach also saw some positives.

“We played tough, but we got tired and down a little. I know this team won’t quit,” Winders said. “Coach (Mike) Meyer at Greencastle will have his team ready next week, but we will be ready.”

Cloverdale will travel to Greencastle next Friday, while the Eagles head south again to Owen Valley.

SP — Dalton Scott, 1 run (PAT no good), 2:36

Rushing

SP – Dalton Scott 13-62, Aiden LeBlanc 23-51, Connor Cain 8-43, Xavier Langley 4-24, Devin Cashion 8-(-41); CHS – Logan Abner 12-52, Parker Watts 10-43, Jake Smith 6-24, Da’Shawn Highbaugh 1-5, Jake Wilkes 2-3

Passing

SP – Cashion 2-5-0 54; CHS – Watts 1-11-1 3

Receiving

SP – Dalton Scott 1-27, Hayden Switzer 1-27; CHS – Jake Smith 1-3.