FARRAGUT – Concord Christian’s size up front and speed on the perimeter proved to be too much for South Greene on Friday afternoon as the Rebels’ six-game win streak ended with a 49-35 loss.
“We hate to lose, but this is the best team we have played all year and I think ultimately this can be good for us,” South Greene coach Shawn Jones said. “We can go one of two ways from here, we can give up, or we can get better. I think we’ll get better. I’m disappointed, but we have to move on and get ready for Eagleton now.”
The Lions playing in their first ever home game, despite having no lights, no stadium and no press box kept finding ways to make big plays in tough spots, and the Rebels were not able to match them.
South Greene is now 6-2 and has two big games left in the regular season. Most importantly a week 11 matchup with Happy Valley that will decide the Region 1-2A championship. Next week the Rebels will host Eagleton, from Region 2-2A, in what could be a playoff preview. Jones hopes his team is able to learn from its mistakes on Friday and finish the regular season strong.
Friday’s action started about as well as South Greene could have hoped as it stopped the Lions on their first drive and forced a punt. Then the snap on a punt sailed by punter Pedro Sabat. With Lucas Couch chasing Sabat jumped on the loose ball at the five-yard line.
On the Rebels’ second offensive snap of the day Nash Rader plunged across the goal line. Brant Wilhoit’s kick made it a quick 7-0 lead with 9:23 left in the first quarter.
After trading empty possession Concord put together an 80-yard scoring drive. On the drive the Lions converted a pair of fourth downs before Maurice Smith ran up the middle for an eight-yard touchdown.
South Greene was quick to regain the lead and Rader took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards to the house to put the Rebels in front 14-7 with 10:45 left in the first half.
South Greene tried to surprise the Lions with an onside kick, but instead gave them a short field. Quarterback Kohbe ward took advantage by hitting Zack Langley on a 29-yard go route that knotted things at 14-14.
The Rebels then watched a pooch kick land and Alistair Middlebrook jumped on it to give the Lions an extra possession. Three plays later Smith ran into the endzone again from the five-yard line and the Lions were in front at 21-14.
Things got worse for the Rebels as on their next drive Ward intercepted Rader and returned it 40 yards for a 28-14 lead with 6:40 left in the first half.
South Greene bounced back and on the next series Rader scrambled to his left before breaking loose down the sideline for a 56-yard touchdown. Wilhoit’s kick was good and the gap narrowed to 28-21.
The Lions scored again with 3:16 left in the first half. The touchdown was set up by Ward slinging a 39-yard pass to Dawson Williford. From the 10-yard line Smith went up the middle again for his third score of the first half.
After trading punts South Greene got another chance to close the gap with 1:05 left in the half. First Charlie Lane picked up 21 yards on a counter, and then Rader found Simon Burns behind the defense for a 44-yard touchdown with 12 seconds on the clock. The extra point was blocked and South Greene went to halftime trailing 35-27.
Concord was able to start the second half with Ward heaving a 50-yard touchdown pass to Moulden to make it a two-score game again.
With 1:32 left in the third quarter South Greene once again was able to close the gap. The 11-play drive ended with Tripp Neas going off tackle to the left and cruising across the goal line. Neas ran in the two-point try to cut the Lions’ lead to 42-35.
South Greene got the right bounce on an onside kick but could not pull it in. The Lions then extended the lead once more with Smith crossing the goal line for the fourth time.
Rader led South Greene with 89 yards rushing with two touchdowns, and 95 yards passing with another score. He also had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
The Lions produced 376 yards of total offense on Friday.
