Sports
Southern Easily Tops Federal Hocking
By: Jerry Kirven
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There was a smoky smell in the air Friday night at Lester and Betty Green field. Some would say it was the food at the concession stands; others would say it was the Lancers, who were torched by Southern 55-14.
There is only one set of bleachers at Federal Hocking’s (0-6, 0-5 TVC-Hocking) field. Fans of both schools must sit together and watch the momentum shift back and forth like a wave. At times the Lancers had the momentum but it would only be for a short moment.
Southern struck first after recovering a Lancer fumble in goal territory. Senior running back, Riley Roush, scored the first of his many touchdowns after going through the heart of Fed Hocks defense, putting the Tornadoes up 6-0.
The Lancers were down, but not out. Next drive they would start to pull themselves back in the game.
Lancer freshman quarterback, Hunter Smith, came out guns blazing the next drive when he dropped a dime to receiver Brandon Gould for a 69-yard touchdown.
A tied ballgame at 6-6. Momentum: Lancers.
But just as quickly as the momentum came, it left even faster when Roush took the kickoff 75-yards to the house the very next play.
The momentum was now purple and gold and it would stay that way the rest of the game.
Roush scored his third touchdown of the quarter on Southern’s next drive and they didn’t look back.
And they wouldn’t have too.
Federal Hocking shot themselves in the foot with two consecutive interceptions and a blocked punt in which the Tornado’s capitalized with touchdowns breaking the game wide open.
Southern’s 41-6 lead with 7:56 left till the halftime would have made most opposing quarterbacks quit.
But not Hunter Smith.
Smith led a Lancer drive in which they converted on two third-downs. Finally capping it off with a 35-yard beauty to Trevor Bell.
Despite defeat being inevitable, the crowd was electric. In Smith, they had hope. As a freshman, he is an inspiration to the little boys who were scattered across the Lancers sideline dressed in their maroon and gold pee-wee jerseys.
Lancer fans see a bright future with their quarterback in the coming years, unfortunately for them tonight will go down as another night they will soon hope to forget.
Southern continues their quest for TVC-Hocking gold when the face Trimble next week, while Federal Hocking travels to MacArthur to battle Vinton County.