COURTLAND
After a 30-minute heat delay and two severe weather delays on Friday, at Southampton High School, the Indians vs. Warhill Lion football game resumed on Monday. While many were enjoying the Labor Day holiday, it was back to work for the continuation of the game that was called off late in the first quarter with the Lions ahead, 7–6.

In the Monday game, the Lions struck quickly on a run by Doug McGee and added the kick to put the Lions ahead 14-6 at the 9:54 mark in the second quarter. After stopping the Indians’ offense, the Lions rebounded again with a touchdown pass to Devonte Safewright and also added the extra point to advance the score to 21-6. The Indians’ next possession of the ball on offense started a drive in which Shamon Reid-Wilkerson added his longest run of the day, 48 yards and on the same drive scored on a touchdown run. The 2-point conversion allowed the Indians to close the score to 21-14. But late in the second quarter the Lions booted a field goal to close the half with them leading 24-14.

The Lions opened that second half by receiving the opening kick- off. On their first possession, running back Xzavier Barnes broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run. The extra point kick was good to give the visitors a 31-14 lead. The home team answered on offense as Reid-Wilkerson scored on a touchdown run. The extra point kick by Sean Holloway was good to close the score to 31-21. The Lions, having a good day running the ball, added six more points on the scoreboard following a 4-yard touchdown run by Barnes. The 2-point conversion failed, and at the 3:50 mark in the third quarter the Lions were ahead 37-21.

Entering the final quarter of play the Lions scored again with a touchdown pass to Barnes. The extra point kick was good to push the Lions lead to 44-21. Later in the final quarter the Lions were advancing the ball when they fumbled the ball. The Indians’ Strawn Darden picked it up and raced untouched for an 89-yard touchdown. The extra point kick was blocked. This ended the scoring for the game as the Lions departed the field with a 44-27 win.

For the Indians in rushing they gained a total of 209 yards with Reid-Wilkerson leading with 83 yards. He was followed in rushing by teammate Jaylin Freeman with 79 yards.

The Lions led in total rushing yards with 596 yards.

Southampton head coach Littleton Parker remarked after the game, “We didn’t play as well as we should have. We played a good ball club, a real good ball club. A division four team, they went deep in the playoffs last year. We are still making a lot of mistakes and we need to improve defensively, but other than that we are going to get better. And keep working at it and each day we are going to get better and that is the key to it all.”