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Southampton High School’s varsity football team made it a happy Homecoming 2024 in Courtland by pulling away for a 56-8 blowout victory over visiting Sussex Central High School on Friday, Oct. 4.

The Indians scored first on a 15-yard touchdown run by senior running back Javonte Lynch to go up 6-0 near the end of the first quarter. 

Then the Tigers responded on the next play from scrimmage with an 80-yard touchdown run and successful two-point conversion to go up 8-6.

But fueled by a stout defense and touchdowns from junior quarterback Zayden Pope, Big Red was up 22-8 by halftime and then scored 34 unanswered points in the second half.

Southampton Head Coach Travis Parker said he and his coaching staff are pleased with the Indians’ performance.

“We had a very good week of practice, and the mood during game day was great,” he said. “The players were focused and ready to execute their roles. We are progressing each week as planned.”

He did not have game statistics to share as of Monday, Oct. 7, but he noted that “thanks to great blocking up front and receivers doing their job well, Zayden Pope was involved in six touchdowns either with his arm passing or with his legs rushing.”

Parker said Lynch had two touchdowns on the ground. 

The coach noted that the Big Red defense performed like “a pack of wolves.” 

“Together they did their job well enough to hold Sussex to one score,” he said. “This was not an easy task because Sussex is a good football team, and they usually put points on the board. 

“And our special teams performed awesome as well,” he added. “The guys on special teams play such an important part in our success but usually don’t get the notoriety they deserve.”

With the victory, Southampton improves to 4-1 on the season and is now 1-0 in the Tri-Rivers District.

“We feel great about what has been accomplished thus far,” Parker said. “God has kept His promise of providing and loving us. We truly believe ‘Everything happens for His reason.’ So we are thankful and grateful for what has transpired thus far and expecting bigger and better in the coming days and weeks because God is just that big and the best. 

“We are setting our long-term sights on the Big 3 Championships (district, region and state),” he stated. “But we know that we must work diligently to accomplish the short-term goals of winning the game that stares us in the face each week.

“We are excited about the community support that has been showing up at the games,” he added. “We are happy to provide this positive energy throughout the county.”

Southampton hosts district foe Brunswick High School (4-2) on Friday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m.