SOUTH WHITLEY - The Southwood Knights played about as perfect of a game as a team can play, dominating the Whitko Wildcats offensively, defensively, mentally, and physically Friday night.

The Knights' offensive line opened gaping holes for their running backs, and the defensive line kept constant pressure on Whitko quarterback Jimmy Linn. The special teams unit connected on all six extra point attempts and kept the Wildcats from breaking anything long.

All told, Southwood gained 373 total yards to Whitko's 86. The Knights averaged 5.9 yards per rush, while holding the Wildcats to just 2.1 yards per carry. They ran 58 plays, while Whitko only ran 42.

And this was supposed to be a close game. This was supposed to test both team's tenacity, grit, and will to win. What actually happened was a 42-6 Southwood victory that was all but over before the end of the first half. The Knights took it to Whitko early and often.

"They played very well," said Whitko head coach Brian Sprunger. "The line of scrimmage was where it was won and lost. They're an experienced offensive line. We're very young."

The scoring opened on Southwood's second possession. The Knights got great field position when Linn was intercepted at the Whitko 29. Six plays later, Jeremiah Strickler found his way into the end zone from one yard out for his first of three touchdowns. Kevin Beher added the extra point to make it 7-0.

After Whitko punted on its next possession, Southwood took over at the Wildcats 43. Andrew Hanlon broke the first play from scrimmage 29 yards to set up Strickler's second touchdown of the game to make it 14-0.

The second period opened with the Knights taking over the ball at their own 33. Five plays later, Southwood quarterback Aaron Garner threw his first pass of the game, a 32-yard strike to Beher that got the Knights down to the 15. Garner then scampered into the end zone three plays later to up the lead to 21-0.

Southwood scored again with just :45 left in the half on a 1-yard plunge by Strickler to close out the first half scoring 28-0. The big play of the series was a 31-yard pass completion to sophomore Paul Wright.

The first half was marked by Whitko's inability to move the ball. They had no first downs in the half and had 12 total yards. Jimmy Linn was 0-for-5, and he threw two interceptions.

The second half opened much the same as the first. On Southwood's first possession they took the ball 47 yards for a nine yard touchdown by Garner to make the score 35-0.

The next possession was Whitko's only solid drive of the game. They took the ball 65 yards on nine plays and scored on a 37-yard run by Tim Mason. The two-point conversion pass fell short to make the score 35-6.

The only scoring in the fourth quarter came on a two yard run by Steve Conley with 1:06 to play to close out the scoring.

"You can learn a lot of things in defeat," said Sprunger. "You just don't want to get used to it. We've got a long way to go, and a short time to get there. We will get better. I'm confident in that."

Whitko (1-1, 0-1) plays at Manchester Friday. [[In-content Ad]]