INDIANS WIN BATTLE IN THE SOUTH

SALINEVILLE, OH- When it comes to playoff time in Ohio, about anything can happen. A crazy upset, a dominant win, last second heroics, and many other things. In the Div. VII, Region 25 matchup between Southern Local and South Central, the Indians showed up and showed out. Southern’s early scoring and tight defense was too much for the Trojans as the Indians walked away with a dominant victory, 65-21.

Southern came out flying thanks to Colton Soukup who got the Indians on the board just two plays in with a 45-yard touchdown run. South Central punched right back with a long drive and a score to tie it up at 8. That tying score would not matter too much as the Indians roared right back as Wyatt Morris found some light towards the end zone from 21-yards to regain the lead at 16-8. The Indians offense got the ball rolling and that gave the defense some advantage, and that showed as Soukup stepped in front of a pass and took it back 55-yards for a score to put Southern up 24-8. Cooper Edmiston, Ryan Exline, and Soukup would all add more scoring for the Indians before half to make it 46-14. In the second half, Southern would add a few more scores to extend their lead and ultimately put the game away.

Soukup finished with 6 carries for 113 yards, Noah Perfetto added 5 carries for 113 yards, and Wyatt Morris had 6 carries for 84 yards.

Looking forward, Southern advances to the second round for the 2nd straight season and just like last season, they will take on Norwalk St. Paul. Last season, St. Paul got the best of the Indians in a tough overtime loss. Southern looks for redemption as they will host St. Paul next Friday.

*Contributed By YSN’s Brendan Miller