"Take care of the football, re-establish the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, stay ahead in the penalties, we win this football game."
Those were the words of Jackson South Side Head Coach Tyler Reeder prior to the Hawks' playoff game at Springfield High School. While the coach's words were feasible on paper, a lack of execution on all accounts left the Jackets victorious, a final score of 42-21.
Turnovers and penalties were an issue throughout for Reeder's squad, as Springfield's offense took advantage early of an eager South Side defense, which was caught off sides numerous times in the early stages. Quarterback Aaron Henley would throw two interceptions on the evening, making three total turnovers when adding in an early kickoff that was muffed right into the hands of Martavious Johnson.
As for the line of scrimmage, Kevontez Hudson was the star of the show for SHS: producing five total touchdowns in just two quarters, three of which coming in the initial frame. The Jackets' opened the scoring tab on the second play from scrimmage, a 64 yard strike to Junior Gabe Kelly.
Two additional rushing touchdowns via the Junior quarterback would force the Hawks into panic mode, attempting a fourth and long early in the second quarter, only to be sacked by Kamrin Garrett, thus giving Springfield possession once more. Hudson would not relinquish this opportunity, producing yet another rushing touchdown three minutes later.
Springfield would score once more before the break, holding a commanding 35 point lead thanks to a perfectly placed seam route that would leave Senior Cale Jones untouched crossing the plane.
However, South Side would not go home without a fight: outscoring the Jackets 21-7 in the second half, as Junior back Graham Callaway took the ball in for six from 12 yards out. Henley would find wide-out Timothy Douglas on a slant to narrow the deficit further. The point-after was blocked by none other than Cale Jones.
The Hawks' would seemingly lose momentum following the blocked PAT, as Henley would throw a pick-six, returned by Gabe Kelly, to regain a 29 point lead.
Seemingly would be the right word to use, as Rodderick Moore would take the ensuing kick off to the house. Following a successful two-point conversion, the advantage was trimmed once again to 21 points.
Although Springfield was unable to maintain possession for long on their next offensive drive, Kelly's second interception sealed the game for the Yellow Jackets. Coach Wilson was somewhat remorseful to his players following the game in saying "I should have told you guys to step on their throats [in the second half], but I didn't and I apologize for that."
The win ensured yet another home playoff game this post-season, one that will be played Friday against Lexington High School (6-5). Springfield's record improves to 8-3 this year, two wins away from the team's third consecutive double-digit winning season.
-Blaine Kellar is a Broadcasting and Journalism intern for Social Dweebs, who has covered Yellow Jacket athletics since 2018.
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