Scott, defense dominant as Eagles top Howe, 30-14

Saturday, October 27, 2018

INDIANAPOLIS — The South Putnam Eagles used a power running game and an opportunistic defense to defeat the T.C. Howe Hornets 30-14 in the Class A Sectional 45 semifinal game.

The Eagles took advantage of several Hornet miscues and played a solid game in improving their record to 5-6 and advancing to the sectional final next week against Traders Point Christian. The senior class at South Putnam will be participating in its third sectional final in four years.

South began the game pounding senior Dalton Scott at the Hornets as he carried the ball on nine of the 12 plays in the Eagle drive, capping it with a six-yard touchdown.

“He (Scott) does so much for us. Offensively and defensively,” South Putnam head coach Nathan Aker said.

Howe struck back quickly as Jayden Stamps went 62 yards for a score just a few minutes later to give the Hornets an 8-6 lead.

“They (Howe) have some studs. They are really athletic and fast,” Aker said.

The Eagles took advantage the first turnover of the game early in the second quarter. Nick Theis recovered a Hornet fumble at the four-yard line and Scott punched it in on the next play. Riley Stone hit Kain Gregory for the two-point conversion and the Eagles took the lead 14-8 and never trailed again.

Howe had a bad snap and a fumble on its next possession. Colton Grundlock recovered the fumble and again Scott rumbled in from four yards out on the next play. Hayden Switzer added the PAT run and South led 22-8.

“We talk about making the big play. We had a lot of guys make those plays tonight. It is good to have a short field,” Aker said.

The two teams struggled in the third quarter to get any offense going. Howe couldn’t sustain any drives as penalties and a tough Eagle rush defense kept the Hornets in check, but South failed to put the game away as it couldn’t move the ball in the period.

The Eagles again took advantage of a Howe fumble. Austin Wilson recovered another fumble inside the 10-yard line and two plays later Scott scored his fourth touchdown of the night, this one from a yard out. He added the two-point conversion and South led 30-8 with just a quarter left to play.

The Hornets began picking up chunks of yardage as they spread the field and either completed passes or Stamps scrambled for yardage. They closed the gap to 30-14 with 9:03 left in the game on a 13-yard touchdown pass, but couldn’t close the gap any further on the Eagles.

South was able to hold the Hornets to just 48 yards rushing in the game and forced four turnovers. The Eagles themselves didn’t turn the ball over.

Another key was the fact that the Hornets were penalized 16 times for 140 yards.

“Our offensive and defensive lines were outstanding tonight. They played really well. We also had a lot of young players step up and play well,” Aker said.

Scott led the charge with 142 yards on 27 carries and four touchdowns.

The Eagles will get a chance at their 11th sectional title as they will host Traders Point Christian next Friday.

South Putnam6160830
T.C. Howe800614

1st Qtr

SP — Dalton Scott 6 run (run failed), 6-0, 4:34.

HH — JaydenStamps 62 run (Wilson-Bacey run), 8-6, 2:59.

2nd Qtr

SP — Scott 4 run (Gregory from Stone), 14-8, 10:09.

SP — Scott 4 run (Switzer run), 22-8, 8:39.

4th Qtr

SP — Scott 1 run (Scott run), 30-8, 11:50.

HH — Wilson 13 pass from Stamps (pass failed), 30-14, 9:03

 SPHowe
First Downs1210
Rushing yards46-15938-48
Passing yards16103
Comp Att Int2-6-08-24-0
Total yards52-16562-151
Penalties6-5516-140
Fumbles lost3-06-4
Punts5-26.64-36.8

Individual statistics

Rushing: South Putnam: Dalton Scott 27-142, Hayden Switzer 11-43, Devin Cashion 1-5, Riley Stone 7-(-31). Howe: Stamps 21-106, Wilson-Bacey 4-(-22), Gregory 6-(-4), Manners 4-(-22), Smith 6-(-41).

Passing: South Putnam: Stone 2-6-0 16. Howe: Stamps 4-16-0 62, Thomas 1-2-0 11, Smith 3-6-0 30.

Receiving: South Putnam: Switzer 1-17, Scott 1-(-1) Howe: Wilson-Bacey 4-56, Gregory 2-9.