Featured image: Southerner fans celebrate as the team wins against the Robinson Senators on Friday. Photo by Crystal McCance / Article by Chris Vines, Voice of the Southside Southerners on 99.5 Your FM
After 47 minutes and 57 seconds at Stewart Field Friday night, the Southside Southerners and Robinson Senators were tied at 17. The ball sat on the 25 yard line in front of sophomore Joel Busby with only three seconds remaining between a win for the Southerners in the first round of the 5A playoffs and overtime.
Landen Cartwright snapped the ball to Cam Foree who got the hold down perfect for Busby, who split the uprights as the clock hit zero, and the Southerners won a hard fought 20-17 over one of 5A’s top rated teams thru the season.
The Southerners in only their second season in Class 5A, and the smallest school in the classification, will now host Camden Fairview next Friday night at Stewart Field.
The opening quarter for the Southerners went the way so many have this season, with Gabe Witt scoring on a 23-yard touchdown run after quarterback Savion Hall led the Southerners on a four minute drive after the defense forced the Senators to a 3 and out on the games opening drive.
The Senators had an answer as they drove down the field in a little over four minutes, capped by an eight yard touchdown pass by D1 recruit Quincy Murphy to tie the game at 7.
Robinson would add a field goal with three seconds left to give Robinson a 10-7 lead at the end of the first period.
Savion Hall scored on a four yard run in the second quarter, and the Southerners would lead 14-10 at the break.
The third quarter was on the defenses as neither team reached the end zone, and Robinson missed a 45 yard field goal attempt. Busby hit his first of two field goals (along with two extra points) with 42 seconds remaining in the third to give the Southerners 17-10 heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter saw all the action take place in the last five minutes. A five yard run by Murphy tied the game with 3:58 left. The Southerners had to punt on their next possession and gave the ball back to Robinson with 2:07 remains.
The Southerner defense stood tall, and Andrew Plummer hit Quincy Murphy two yards shy of the first down to force a punt with 1:11 left.
Gabe WItt was back deep to return the punt. Witt caught the ball on a dead run at the Robinson 40 yard line, and returned the ball 40 yards setting up the game winning field goal, securing the win for the Southerners.
Savion Hall — Three for six passing for 31 yards and 15 carries for 133 yds and one TD
Gabe Witt — 21 carries for 107 yards, one TD, and 97 return yards,
Seth Case — Four carries for 23 yards and three receptions for 31 yards
Louis Calhoun — Three carries for 12 yards
Braden Simpson — One carry for 2 yards
Isaac Wallis — Two carries for 5 yards
Joel Busby — 2-2 extra points, 2-2 field goals 2-2 (28-35 yds)
Broadcast coverage of next week’s game will start at 6:30 p.m. with the Grass Roots Kickoff Show with Coach Kenny Simpson. Kickoff will follow at 7. Listen on-air at 99.5 Your FM, or listen anywhere online via White River Now or through the free White River Now app.
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