The Southside Sharks were able to outlast Cecilia in the closing minutes of a 49-46 shootout at Cecilia High School on Friday night. The Sharks benefited from a dominant rushing attack from Quarterback Andrew Angelle and running backs Collin Fabacher, Vernel Joseph, and Ramon Singleton Jr.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Each team’s offense was unstoppable in the first half. Out of 10 first-half possessions combined, nine of them turned into touchdowns. A fumble by the Sharks was the only offensive drive that did not result in points. Southside was able to get the ball back and score right before the halftime break to cut it down to a one-score game. Despite missing a couple of PATs, Cecilia led 33-28 at the half.
The second half began with Southside receiving the kickoff. The Sharks took it down the field and scored immediately, taking a 36-33 lead following a 2-point conversion. Both teams traded scores, and at that point, Southside led 43-39 following Andrew Angelle’s 65-yard touchdown run.
Following that, Southside made their first defensive stop of the game. They turned it into points and held their first two-score lead at 49-39. The Bulldogs then answered back with a 77-yard touchdown on a double pass, making it 49-46. Cecilia then got a stop and had a chance to score to win the game. However, Khi Alexander stepped in front of a Diesel Solari pass to clinch the victory for the Sharks.
BIG NUMBER: 95
Friday night’s game saw 95 total points scored. The offensive explosion made defensive stops key, as there were only a handful of them in the game.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Vernel Joseph
Any of the Southside playmakers could have gotten player of the game. However, Joseph scored two touchdowns and also clinched the game with a first down to help run the clock out.