Football - Southmoreland vs Derry Area

October 01, 2021

Southmoreland Trounces Derry Area 41-0

Southmoreland used their multiple offensive weapons, and a stingy defense that bent but didn't break, to roll over Derry Area in a Class 3A non-conference game on Friday, October 1, at Russ Grimm Field in Alverton.

Southmoreland won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff, from which they quickly turned into points. Isaac Trout took the opening kickoff back to around midfield, then moved the Scotties into scoring position with a long pass reception. When Anthony Govern's dive on a keeper came up just short of the goal line, Noah Phillips followed the pile into the endzone on the next play for a Southmoreland touchdown. Jake Kaylor's PAT put the Scotties up 7-0 with 9:20 to play in the first, and it was Derry's turn to get the ball.

Derry went three-and-out on their possession and was set up to punt, but a bad snap resulted in no kick and set the Scotties up at the Derry 15 yard line. Southmoreland needed only one play to double their lead, scoring on a Jeffrey Johnson 15-yard touchdown run, with Kaylor's PAT kick tacked on for a 14-0 lead at 7:02 remaining in the first.

The Trojans were moving the ball well on their next series, advancing into Southmoreland territory where the Trojans set up for a 51-yard field goal attempt on fourth down. But the field goal was a fake, and Derry was awarded a new set of downs when punter Nate Gray's incomplete pass drew an interference call. However, the Trojans missed an opportunity to put up points when they fumbled and Travon Lee recovered for the Scotties at the 20 yard line.

Southmoreland gave the ball back to the Trojans shortly after, as Conner Lucas grabbed a Govern pass intended for JJ Bloom at the 46 yard line with 33 seconds left in the first quarter. The quarter ended with the Scotties leading 14-0.

Derry turned the ball over on downs to open the second quarter, and Southmoreland was driving, aided by a 36-yard pass completion to Trevell Clayton. But the Trojans foiled the drive once again when Nate Gray picked off Govern's second interception toss of the night. A halfback pass to Conner Lucas moved Derry to the Scotties 45 yard line. Once again, the Scotties defense tightened, and a couple of stops in the backfield forced Derry to punt.

Southmoreland's ensuing drive ended when Derry stopped them on a 4th-and-2 on their 42 yard line. Derry was moving the ball again, aided by another Derry fake field goal which Gray ran for a first down. Yet the turnovers for both sides continued, as Southmoreland's Tray Whetsel scooped up a Derry fumble and ran 75 yards to the house with 15 seconds remaining in the half. Kaylor added the PAT, and Derry soon went to the locker room trailing 21-0 at the half.

Southmoreland continued their dominance in the third quarter. Isaac Trout grabbed a pass in the backfield and trotted into the endzone with 4:12 on the clock. Kaylor added the PAT point.

Derry's next possession ended quickly as quarterback Mason Beeman threw an interception to a leaping Michael Oravetz, setting Southmoreland up in Derry territory. The Scotties capitalized again on the turnover, with Govern calling his own number and diving inside the pylon for the touchdown. Kaylor's PAT kick bumped the Scotties lead to 35-0 and triggered a running clock for the remainder of the game.

Southmoreland added one final score in the fourth. A 32-yard pass completion from Govern to Ronnie Collins took the ball to the 1 yard line. After a Derry penalty moved the ball the the half-yard line, Lilly Wasmund took a direct snap and followed good blocking into the endzone for a touchdown. This time Kaylor's kick failed, and the 41-0 score would end up being final minutes later.

Southmoreland (4-2, 1-1) Will host Yough next week in a conference game. Derry Area (0-5, 0-1) is home next week in a conference game with Valley.