Sumter Academy falls short against Southern
YORK— Sumter Academy fell just short of claiming its first region win Friday night, dropping a 30-29 decision to the visiting Southern Academy Cougars.
The first quarter was all Southern with the Cougars scoring on a 35-yard run by Dylan Bamberg and a 32-yard field goal by Jacob Jones to give the visitors a 9-0 lead.
Senior Receiver Blake Jowers got the Eagles on the board, hauling in a 29-yard pass from Clay Truelove. Nathan Williamson’s PAT kick would close the deficit to 9-7. Bamberg and Jones would push the lead to 16-7 with a 57-yard run from Bamberg and a Jones PAT kick.
The Eagles would pull within two once again with a 19-yard run from senior running back Nathan Williamson, making the score 16-14. Williamson’s ensuing kickoff was recovered by freshman Anderson Newman, giving the Eagles the ball and the opportunity to take their first lead of the game. Williamson again would find the end zone after an 11-yard run. Truelove and Zach Maness connected on a pass for the 2-point conversion, giving Sumter the lead at 22-16.
Southern Academy would reclaim the lead late in the third quarter on a 9-yard run from quarterback Dylan Bamberg and kick by Jones for a one-point advantage at 23-22. Sumter reclaimed the lead at 29-23 on a 15-yard touchdown reception from Truelove to Maness.
The Cougars took the lead for good on a 32-yard run by Jacob Jones, who would also add the PAT kick for the 30-29 final score.
Sumter was led on offense by Clay Truelove with 228 passing yards to go along with 49 yards rushing. Nathan Williamson added 61 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Zach Maness hauled in six passes for 147 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Blaine Winsett had 13 tackles and a fumble recovery. Clay Hanson and Cole Hanson had eight tackles and six tackles respectively. Anderson Newman added an interception for the Eagle defense.
The Eagles are on the road Friday, Sept. 12 for a region game against Sparta Academy in Evergreen.
Offense Summary – Rushing: Williamson 19/61, Truelove 20/49. Receiving: Maness 6/147, Jowers 2/38, Williamson 2/37, Newman 1/6. Passing: Truelove 11/25 228yds 2 TD 1 INT
Defense Summary – Tackles: Newman 1, Smith 5, Winsett 13, Duke 1, Maness 2, McElroy 2, Clay Hanson 8, Cole Hanson 6, Atcheson 2, Moore 1, Truelove 4, Williamson 5, Jowers 5.