Southwest High School

10/30/21
Complete Game Coverage: SWO - 14. E. Duplin - 31.

Final:

SWO - 14. ED - 31.

The scoreboard never reflects (nor does your actual record ever account for) "Moral Victories." But our performance last night vs. an excellent East Duplin squad, at least made me feel good about this Stallion football team. Its been a difficult season and an even more difficult week for SWO. Following last week's shutout loss to James Kenan, the Stallions' depth chart had to be shuffled around as several players left the team for various reasons. It was the perfect opportunity to throw in the towel and just fold. But this team showed heart! It showed fight! It showed pride! Although it was still a loss, everyone wearing orange-and-black could walk out of Beulaville with their heads up knowing the Stallions played a very good football game. The general consensus among the Stallion Faithful was that this was one of (if not THE) best performances of the season.

First things first.... I'm super-impressed with East Duplin. The Panthers are a well oiled football machine. They don't have 5-star athletes, but they are all very capable and maximize their abilities and talents. Everyone we encountered before, during, and after the game was just "good people." And although it can be a little dangerous along the visitor's sideline (due to the very close confines), I love the feel of the stadium! You're literally right on top of the action. I felt like I was starring in an episode of "Friday Night Lights." If you've never been to ED to watch a football game, do yourself a favor and go. Its a picture-perfect high school football setting!

Congratulations East Duplin Panthers!!!! Conference champions and very deserving. When not playing SWO, I'll be pulling for the Panthers!

SWO received the opening kickoff and couldn't do much. ED quickly took possession and methodically marched down the field to take an early 7-0 lead. Later in Q1, however, the Panthers would make a rare mistake and fumble the ball over to the Stallions at around the ED 30 yard line. SWO seized the opportunity and covered the short field as Donovan Strader bulled into the endzone from the Wildcat formation. There was a slight buzz in the stadium with the score tied at 7.

The Stallion defense was playing well against the Panthers misdirection-and-reverse heavy ground attack. As halftime loomed close, the Stallion offense began pounding the rock and QB Tanner Whitehead connected with Strader on a beautiful sideline completion to setup the Stallions with first and goal. Going back to the Wildcat formation, Strader once again reached paydirt and tied the score again at 14 apiece. With just over 3 minutes remaining in the half, the light buzz in the stadium grew more palpable and the general feeling became..... Do we have an upset in the making?

With the clock ticking low, the Stallion defense held strong and forced ED into a 4th-and-6 situation from the SWO 30. After a timeout to setup strategy, the Panthers pulled off the play-of-the-game. As expected, they tried their bread-and-butter reverse. But this time, RB Elam Moore pulled up inches short of the line-of-scrimmage and lofted a "blooper" pass to Nick Cavanaugh who covered the distance down the home sideline. The Panther crowd breathed a sigh of relief and let loose a big cheer as the Panthers would take the lead into halftime.

With just a few seconds remaining before the half, the Stallions decided to take a chance. Unfortunately, Whithead's Hail Mary pass attempt was intercepted and returned deep into Stallion territory at the SWO 21 yard line. With just 1.5 ticks left on the clock, ED kicked a 38 yard field goal to expand the lead to 24-14 heading into intermission.

In the second half, Stallion RB Corbin Kerr got on track and earned most of his 92 rushing yards. Unfortunately, the Stallions never really threatened to score again. East Duplin tacked on another TD at the beginning of Q4 to account for the final 31-14 margin of victory.

Observations - Positives

I'm very proud of the coaching staff and players for putting forth a great effort. As I previously mentioned, it was the perfect opportunity to cave and roll over dead. We absolutely did NOT do that!

Defense! Great job! ED's offense can be confusing with all of the misdirection and reverse action. The Stallion D played good, solid fundamental football.

Things to Work On

No critique this week. Simply put.... We were beaten by a better football team. In weeks past, I felt like we "lost" vs. getting "beat." To me, there's a big difference. You only lose when you perform below (well below) your capabilities. Losing is not something of which you can be proud. Getting beaten is a little different in my eyes. If you give it your all and the other team is simply better, then there's no shame in that. They beat you; fair-and-square. You keep your chin up. You learn. You work harder. And you come back next time and prove that you did learn and improve. That's what the Stallions did this week!

Moving Ahead

Billy and I mentioned it during our post-game "Stable Talk" analysis (see link below).... Nobody will want to face SWO in round 1 of the playoffs. Even with a 2-7 record, any highly-seeded team would be foolish to overlook the Stallions in round 1. We are a dangerous football opponent when we play like we did last night. Who/When/Where we play will be determined likely later today. Its unsure whether or not we'll be able to cover the game depending on the location. But one thing is for sure.... After last night's performance, this group of Stallions has earned my attention and I'll be following closely; either in person or via the internet.

GO STALLIONS!!

#onceastallionalwaysastallion

APOLOGIES - The hyperlinks are not working this week. You will need to copy-and-paste the URL into your browser window in oder to open the links.

Game Story (Courtesy of JD News): https://www.jdnews.com/story/sports/2021/10/29/high-school-football-jacksonville-area-week-11-roundup/8540243002/

Video Highlights: https://youtu.be/L_NNjec9TwA

Stable Talk: https://youtu.be/cvgZuokwCIM

Pictures (Courtesy of Kay McCloskey): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9cy2tudgi5py5og/AAAhYbZPmNmcDQes3_OHy7ifa?dl=0