What We Saw: Philip Simmons Run Game Too Much For Georgetown

Ian Guerin September 1, 2023 @ 10:59 PM

GEORGETOWN | [player_tooltip player_id='589051' first='KJ' last='Ashbury'] and [player_tooltip player_id='997204' first='Sharod' last='Williams'] had fun putting up a bunch of yards and scores on the Grand Strand a week ago.   The Philip Simmons tailback tandem decided to run it back.    The Iron Horse seniors combined for 248 total yards and six touchdowns in a 48-14 win at Georgetown on Friday.   “We're busting our butt in practice,” Ashbury said. “We're working hard in the weight room lifting, learning how to teach our lineman what to do. It's all coming together to help us win games.”   That last part is critical, as Philip Simmons improved to 3-0 for the second time in the program's six-year history. And this time, it's been mostly about Ashbury and Williams.   The duo had four touchdowns in the season opener against Andrews and then blew up last week against St. James. It was then - some 20 miles north of Georgetown - that Ashbury (pictured) finished with 202 yards and two 80-yard touchdown runs. Williams had 190 yards and three scores (68, 38 and 57 yards).   They kept it up against Georgetown.   Ashbury needed just seven carries to pile up 141 yards and three ground scores. Williams countered with 11 carries for 99 yards and two scores and added an eight-yard touchdown reception less than 4 minutes into the game.   All told, that pushed the seniors to 850 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns in just three games.    Asked when he believed teams would decide to drop eight in the box against Williams and Ashbury, Philip Simmons head coach Eric Bendig said “Next week when we play Timberland.”   That remains to be seen.   In the meantime, they're still the top two priorities and helping Philip Simmons make it look easy.    OTHER PHILIP SIMMONS NOTABLES   Russell Dickerson DL - The 6-foot, 210-pound defensive lineman had a sack and an additional tackle for loss during the Bulldogs' only scoring drive of the first half. The sack, a 10-yard loss, including him shedding his opposing lineman and tracking down Bulldog quarterback Owen Powell.    [player_tooltip player_id='340392' first='Sam' last='Crocker'] P/K - One of the state's best specialists, Crocker reaffirmed it against Georgetown. With a second-quarter punt, he dropped a 47-yard dime that pinned the Bulldogs on their own 1-yard line. Five of his nine kickoffs were touchbacks, with the other four fielded inside the 2-yard line (something that led to only one good return). On the one that was flipped, Crocker made the touchdown-saving tackle on Shamar Weathers' return. Lastly, Crocker was six-of-seven on PATs, with the lone miss doinking off the upright after heaving pressure.    [player_tooltip player_id='997285' first='Bryce' last='Smalls'] LB - In addition to a whole bunch of tackles, Smalls added an interception to end Georgetown's drive to start the second half.   Michael Spignardo DB - The senior picked off the second pass Georgetown attempted in the game and returned it to the 4-yard line, setting up Weathers' receiving touchdown early in the game.    GEORGETOWN NOTABLES   Owen Powell QB - The Bulldogs' spread still needs plenty of work, but Powell is clearly the Band-Aid for now. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound signal caller has a quick release and showed he could throw on the run. He finished the game 20-of-35 for 184 yards and a touchdown. He did throw two interceptions, but he also had a highly effective stretch in the first half when he completed seven-of-eight passes for 53 yards. To top it all off, he spread the wealth, completely passes to seven different receivers.   Tyquise Harrison RB - The Bulldogs' starting tailback finished with 10 carries for 33 yards and the team's first score in the game. He also caught two passes for 36 yards.    Shamar Weathers RB/KOR - In addition to his 64-yard kickoff return to start the second half, the change-of-pace back had seven carries for 27 yards before leaving the game with a leg injury.