Breaking News
Local Sports

Missed red zone opportunities hurt South in 17-7 loss to Athens at home

By Jon Gerardi 5 min read

Garrett Lorson picked off Athens' Connor Davidson deep in South's own territory and the Mountie returned it across midfield. A penalty then set the Mounties up in the red zone.

Trailing by a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, it seemed to be the spark and momentum shift South Williamsport needed.

But from the Athens' 6, that momentum stalled. Athens came up huge defensively on four consecutive plays stopping the Mounties by stuffing the run for no gain on back-to-back carries before breaking up two passes in the endzone.

A huge chance for the Mounties slipped away, and Athens would capitalize. The Mounties never got another chance inside the red zone after that turnover on downs with 7:56 remaining and Athens would leave South Williamsport Rodney K. Morgans Stadium with a 17-7 win on Friday in Week 4.

"I mean it's so unfortunate because we had so many chances. It should have been 14-14 at halftime and then we come out and didn't get in a couple more times," South Williamsport coach Chris Eiswerth said. "Obviously hats off to Athens, they fought. They're a big school. I'm proud of our kids."

South Williamsport kept that drive alive on fourth-and-7 when Garrett Lorson hit Levi Butler for a 12-yard pickup as Butler dove to catch it just off the ground. But that drive fizzled out and the Mounties couldn't capitalize with no yards gained after getting first-and-goal from the 6.

South Williamsport then held Athens to a three-and-out and got the ball back after a punt with 5:33 to play on the Athens' 42 trailing by seven. After three consecutive incomplete passes, South tried throwing it on fourth-and-15 only to see it picked off by Athens standout Connor Davidson who returned it to the South 40.

A play later, he ran it 39 yards to the 1 yard line and Athens kicked a 24-yard field goal to all but seal the game, 17-7, with 3:20 to play.

"It was huge (holding South on goal line). We got it out of endzone finally with a punt -- the first two didn't do so hot," Athens coach Shawn Bradly said. "But we had a big run, got it down to this end and kicked a field goal which put us in a really good spot. And the one right before the half was huge too."

Right before the half as another chance South couldn't score on. With 51 seconds until halftime, the Mounties got the ball on the 35. Samir Moy caught a bobbled pass and got the Mounties to the 1.

And with 7 seconds until halftime from the 5 after a penalty pushed South back during the drive, Eli White ran it up the middle and got stopped inches from the goal line as Athens took a 14-0 lead into the half and prevented the Mounties from tying it at the break.

"That's what I just told the kids. That was a physical football team we played and these guys were tough. They didn't break (in red zone possessions)," Bradley said. "We were physical and hit and they did a phenomenal job on defense."

South Williamsport was 1 for 5 on red zone possessions in Friday's loss and went 4 for 12 on third down. Athens did well preventing South from moving the chains and, as noted, was solid defensively in the red zone.

South Williamsport score with 6:26 left in the third quarter. That's when Cade Lusk ran it in from three yards out on third-and-goal to cut the deficit to 14-7.

"The kids fought. I mean there were a lot of opportunities. You go through adversity like that and the kids just kept fighting," Eiswerth said. You know, Cole (Gerber) went down early so we got to put our second string. Garrett (Lorson) came in and just did a fabulous job. That's a tough one."

Davidson played well in all facets. He finished with 25 carries for 109 yards and went 10 for 23 for 114 yards and two touchdowns, both to Gage Marmor in the first half.

And on defense he recorded an interception to go with his numerous big hits.

"For as good as he was offensively, he was a freaking stud on defense today. There were some amazing hits, that's why he's back there," Bradley said. "He had some huge hits and that pick that kind of set us up. Just a huge game for Connor. He's a phenomenal football player."

"Oh yeah (we knew Davidson was tough). He's a four-year starter and a really good player," Eiswerth said.

Athens out-gained South Williamsport just 251-203 in total offense. Levi Butler led South with 11 carries for 54 yards and Lusk had 10 for 33. Lorson, who came in as noted when Gerber went out, ended the game going 6 for 18 for 86 yards and was under pressure on many of his throws as Athens' defensive lineman got through the line and chased him.

Athens made it a 7-0 lead with 4:04 to play in the first quarter when Davidson found Marmor for a 15-yard touchdown pass. And with 9:46 to play in the second quarter, the two connected for a touchdown again, this time from seven yards out.

South Williamsport saw its first possession come to an end after five plays with an interception. Then, after a nine-play drive ended with a punt, South Williamsport had three straight possessions end with turnovers on down going into the break.

South Williamsport got the ball back with 3:08 to play after Fisher's 24-yard field goal put Athens ahead by 10, but the Mounties couldn't rally from there to try and cut the deficit down. A nine-play drive ended in the red zone at the 4 yard line on a fumble on the snap, allowing Athens to take over and kneel it out form there.

Starting at /week.