Big Red exercises effort, execution, focus, belief
Published 6:09 pm Friday, October 20, 2023
Southampton High School junior running back Steven McClenny drags Greensville County High School defenders forward for several more yards Friday, Oct. 13. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
The offense of Southampton High School is poised to spring into action Friday, Oct. 13, during the Indians’ 43-0 victory against visiting Greensville County High School. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Southampton High School junior Laurence Wallace wraps up a Greensville County High School ball carrier on Friday, Oct. 13, in Courtland. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Southampton High School senior quarterback Tremir Roberts runs for a touchdown during Big Red’s 43-0 home win over Greensville County High School on Friday, Oct. 13. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Southampton High School Offensive Coordinator Xavier Scott, right, delivers instructions to senior quarterback Tremir Roberts during the Indians’ home game Friday, Oct. 13. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
The Southampton High School offense listens as senior quarterback Tremir Roberts, No. 1, explains the play call. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Southampton High School senior wide receiver Carl Graves-Phillips communicates with the side judge about his positioning moments before the Indians offense snaps the football. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Sophomore running back Javonte Lynch, of Southampton High School, navigates the open field during a big play for Big Red on Friday, Oct. 13. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Southampton High School’s marching band and dancers perform during halftime of the varsity football team’s 43-0 victory over visiting Greensville County High School on Friday, Oct. 13. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Being honored at halftime of Southampton High School’s varsity football game Friday, Oct. 13, are members of the school’s 1973 football team that won the first AA state football championship in SHS history. Also recognized are Big Red coaches, cheerleaders, spirit girls, faculty and staff from 1973. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
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Southampton High School’s varsity football team returned to its winning ways in the Tri-Rivers District in a big way Friday night, Oct. 13.
Big Red shut out visiting Greensville County High School en route to a 43-0 victory. The win upgraded the Indians’ record to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the district.
“Now we are starting to play some football,” Southampton Head Coach Travis Parker said. “I am happy about the way we were able to put things together after a great week of practice. Everything was better during the week: effort, execution, focus and belief.
“So, the victory I am happy about but not shocked, because I knew we were capable of playing football the way we did on Friday night,” he added during a Monday, Oct. 16, interview. “I am confident that we will end the regular season strong.”
The coach noted that Indians senior quarterback Tremir Roberts, junior running back Steven McClenny and sophomore running back Javonte Lynch combined for more than 400 yards of offense.
Parker also stated that all players on defense had key tackles.
“The defense, led by captain Christopher Blue, were like a pack of wolves; you could not tell them apart, but they all were getting the job done to get the shutout win,” the coach said.
Parker pointed to a variety of factors that were prominent in helping Southampton earn the victory, including a great week of practice, players coming back to action after suffering injuries, players stepping up to play whatever position to help the team win, players taking pride in correcting their past mistakes and improving, and the defense playing together and with pride.
“And last but not least, the energy and pride that the 1973 state championship team brought with them was tremendous,” Parker said.
Big Red’s game Friday was the setting for a 50th-anniversary reunion of the Southampton High School varsity football team that won the first AA state football championship in school history in 1973. The reunion included players and coaches from the team, as well as cheerleaders, spirit girls, faculty and staff from ’73.
The 2023 Indians will return to action Friday, Oct. 20, when they host Surry County High School (3-5) at 7 p.m.
