What We Saw: Southside Christian, Defense Power To Class 1A Title
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The second repeat champion of the weekend was crowned Saturday afternoon when Southside Christian dominated the line of scrimmage to defeat previously undefeated Bamberg-Ehrhardt 28-0 for the Class 1A state championship. The Sabres limited the Red Raiders to 47 rushing…
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Continue ReadingThe second repeat champion of the weekend was crowned Saturday afternoon when Southside Christian dominated the line of scrimmage to defeat previously undefeated Bamberg-Ehrhardt 28-0 for the Class 1A state championship.
The Sabres limited the Red Raiders to 47 rushing yards and 114 total yards. They added a goal line stand in the third quarter to preserve the shutout, their fifth shutout of the season. In completing the 14-0 season, Southside Christian outscored its opponents 584-61. Only two teams scored more than one touchdown and the closest margin of victory was a 28-6 win over Calhoun County in the playoffs.
Other notables.
- Junior Southside Christian QB Ja’Corey Martin Ja’Corey Martin 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Southside Christian | 2023 State SC ran for three touchdowns and 77 yards and threw for 272 yards by completing 11-of-20 passes. He completed passes of 66, 53 and 48 yards to help the Sabres go 6-of-12 on third down and 2-of-4 on fourth down. He scored on runs of 18, 1, and 3 yards. Senior RB TJ Goldsmith added the other touchdown on a 10-yard run after an interception by junior LB Mykel Woodfield gave the Sabres the ball at the Red Raiders 10-yard line.
- The defensive line front of defensive linemen senior Tyler Sonneborn Tyler Sonneborn 6'2" | 235 lbs | OL Southside Christian | 2022 State SC , senior Michael Kennedy Michael Kennedy 6'2" | 280 lbs | DL Southside Christian | 2022 State SC , junior Sauders Hawkins, sophomore Micah McGowan along with LBs Woodfield and freshman Zack Martin created havoc all afternoon. Bamberg-Ehrhardt gained 35 yards on its first play from scrimmage then gained 79 yards over the course of the next 38 plays and 20 of those came on the final drive when the backups were in. Woodfield led the way with five tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception. Martin and Kennedy led the way with two tackles for loss.
- The receiving corps junior Tyler Harof, senior Janko Fredricks and junior Malyje’ Brown each turned in a big play. Harof was the leading receiver with three catches for 106 yards. He had a catch of 48 yards with Fredricks turning in a 66-yard reception and Brown a 53-yarder. All three of those catches converted a third down.
- Even though Bamberg-Ehrhardt allowed four touchdowns, the Red Raiders looked good on defense. Senior LB Quincy Bias Quincy Bias 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2022 State SC and sophomore LB Jamie Downing each recorded eight tackles. Bias also recorded an interception and a tackle for loss. The interception came in the red zone and prevented a Southside Christian scoring chance. Senior LB/RB Quintin Banks added five tackles and was the leading rusher with 61 yards on 12 carries.
- Senior DL/OL Jerome Simmons played both ways for Bamberg-Ehrhardt. He also served as the Red Raiders punter at 6-4, 292 pounds.