By Ryan Maners
Rusted Roof Photography
CRAWFORDSVILLE – Led by sophomore defensive back Austin Burton, Southmont’s defense got off to a fast start Sept. 11 in a 21-6 Sagamore Conference win over visiting Danville. Burton recovered two fumbles and intercepted a Jon Pedigo pass to help lead the Mounties’ defensive attack.
(CHECK THE GALLERY FOR GAME PICTURES FROM RYAN MANERS OF RUSTED ROOF PHOTOGRAPHY!!)
Southmont’s defense was key as the Mounties (2-2 overall, 1-1 in conference play) held Danville (1-3, 1-2) to only nine yards on the ground. It was the first time in school history that Southmont had defeated Danville, ending a 12-game losing streak since the Mounties entered the Sagamore in 1999.
The Mounties jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead just 57 seconds apart in the opening period on touchdown runs of nine yards by Micah Hatch and one yard by Tanner Hill. (Burton’s fumble recovery on the kickoff had given Southmont the ball at the Danville 30.) Southmont pushed the lead to 21-0 midway through the second stanza on another one-yard run by Hatch (18 carries, 56 yards).
Danville finally got on the board with a five-yard pass from Pedigo (16 of 41 for 180 yards and one interception) to Howie Cupp just 57 seconds ahead of the half.
The defenses took over in the second half as there was not another score before game’s end.
Next up for Southmont is a Sept. 18 conference duel at Tri-West Hendricks (1-3, 0-2), a 49-19 Week 4 loser at 3A eighth-ranked North Montgomery. Danville returns home next Friday for a non-conference clash with Whiteland (1-3), a 40-28 Week 4 winner at Greenwood.
Danville 0 6 0 0 – 6
Southmont 14 7 0 0 – 21
Southmont – Micah Hatch 9 run (Curtis Rose kick)
Southmont – Tanner Hill 1 run (Curtis Rose kick)
Southmont – Micah Hatch 1 run (Curtis Rose kick)
Danville – Jon Pedigo 5 pass to Howie Cupp (kick missed)
D S
First Downs 11 10
Rushes-Yards 21-9 46-131
Passing Yards 180 51
Comp-Att-Int 16-41-1 5-11-0
Fumbles-Lost 6-2 2-0
Penalties-Yards 2-20 3-18.5
Rushing
Danville: Austin Chalfant 7-28, Winston Fulton 1-1, Justin Gillespie 3-1, Nick Thurston 1-0, Jon Pedigo 8(-7), Dane Setser 1-(-14)
Southmont: Micah Hatch 18-56, Jordan Burkett 9-47, Logan Petry 13-22, Tanner Hill 6-6
Passing
Danville: Jon Pedigo 16-41-180-1-1
Southmont: Logan Petry 5-11-51-0-0
Receiving
Danville: Calvin Beasley 3-56, Winston Fulton 3-42, Justin Gillespie 3-26, Nick Thurston 2-18, Logan Cooper 1-13, Drew Mitchell 1-10, Howie Cupp 2-9, J.D. Powell 1-6
Southmont: Lucas Long 3-35, Jordan Burket 1-10, Austin Burton 1-6
