South Harrison Bulldogs have seldom had to play catch-up football
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The South Harrison Bulldogs have seldom had to play catch-up football over the last five season, particularly when their opponent was a Grand River Conference team. Gallatin put early pressure on the 4-time defending league champs but in the end, superior speed, size up front and a big- play capability spelled a long night for the GHS crew as South Harrison started slowly but breezed to a 51-8 victory Friday night.
South Harrison unleashed a potent ground attack that accounted for two touchdowns covering over 35 yards and four more covering over 45 yards, but Gallatin came out strong in the opening half and more than put a scare into the overwhelmingly favored home team.
“We moved the football, and were able to post some good numbers against a great defense,” Gallatin head coach Mark Cole commented. “We actually had more offense against South Harrison than we did against Rock Port,” he added. “We’re gotten better. We just have to continue getting better.”
South Harrison took a 7-0 lead on a 45-yard run by quarterback Barrett Wright, but Gallatin answered by driving the length of the field and scoring on a 25-yard pass completion from Burge to Colby Swanstone. South Harrison fumbled the football on its next possession and Gallatin moved a short distance before an interception killed the drive and shifted momentum back to the purple and white Bulldogs.
South Harrison put two touchdowns on the board in the 2nd quarter on runs of 54 and 48 yards from fullback Jared Jennings, and led, 22-8, at the break. A huge, physical offensive line opened holes for three more rushing touchdowns in the 3rd period. The SHHS Bulldogs added a safety in the 3rd quarter and a final rushing touchdown from Colt Loving in the 4th quarter.
“They are very talented up front,” Coach Cole said, “In my opinion, they are better along the line than last season,” he added.
Nichols rushed for 84yards on 16 carries for the Bulldogs. Burge completed 12 of 23 passes for 147 yards. Swanstone hauled in 7 passes for 116 yards for Gallatin.
South Harrison, led by Jared Jennings’ 290 yards on the ground, finished with 494 yards rushing and 58 passing.
Hornets bring back familiar style
Gallatin plays host to Hamilton this Friday for bragging rights in the series that dates at least as far back as the 1920s. The Hornets, 2-1, are coming off a 52-8 drubbing of winless Albany. Hamilton’s only loss this season came two weeks ago at the hands of Princeton, 28-7. The Hornets also defeated North Platte, which picked up its first win of the season last Friday by beating Tarkio, 24-14.
This season the Hornets have “turned back the clock” with Dave Fairchild returning as head coach, and his dad, Bob, taking over as offensive coordinator. Along with over 50 years combined time spent as head coaches, the Fairchilds bring back their unbalanced-line offensive formation that puts heavy emphasis on the running game. The Hornets have several key starters back on a team that features 17 seniors.
Offensively, the Hornets are led by senior, 4-year starter Caleb Gilgour (5-9,170), senior halfbacks Shawn McGee (5-9,169) and Jason Ruffcorn (6-0,158), senior ends Caylon DeVaul (6- 3,170) and Austin Hibler (6-3,170), senior guards Brandon Wattenbarger (5-11,168) and John Silvey (5-10,200) and senior tackles Matt Rauber (6-3,250) and J. D. Huhs (6-1,235). Underclassmen on offense include junior fullback Marc Sanderson (6-0,185) and junior center Matt Wallace (5-10,210). With their unbalanced line, the Hornets often rely on superior numbers at the point of attack, so defensive line play will be a key for the Bulldogs.
Defensively, the Hornets operate out of a 5-man front with Rauber and senior Derek Dunster (6- 4,300) at tackle, junior Roy Rosenbaum (5-8,160) at nose guard, senior Matt Ayers (5-10,175) and sophomore Geoffrey Whitt (5-11, 174) at ends, Sanderson and senior Jamie Hanson (5- 11,190) at linebacker and Ruffcorn, Hibler, senior Jeremy Esry (5-10,155) and junior Daniel Copple (5-8,146) in the secondary.
Hamilton defeated Gallatin, 26-14, last season to end a string of six straight victories by the Bulldogs in the series.