South Pike blew a two-touchdown lead in the season opener at Jefferson County Friday night but found a way to get the job done when it mattered most in a 20-14 overtime win.
Senior wide receiver William Carter, who had seven carries for 35 yards and two touchdowns, had a 3-yard score in overtime to give the Eagles the victory.
South Pike jumped out to a 14-0 lead and first-year head coach Brinson Wall praised his team’s quick start.
“The first half we did most things right,” he said. “We contained their quarterback, controlled the line of scrimmage and caused turnovers.”
The Eagles’ defense, led by linebacker Brian Smith, caused a fumble and had an interception, stalling two Tiger drives and keep Jefferson County scoreless the entire first half. Kadarius Shields recovered a fumbles to give South Pike another opportunity on offense, while Jerimiah Smith sacked the Tigers’ quarterback.
Jefferson County defeated South Pike 20-8 last season, but the Eagles made adjustments to stop the Tigers’ quarterback.
“When they needed a play last season, he got it with his feet,” Wall said after film evaluations. “Our defense saw it before, and the year of experience makes a difference.”
Carter had a 9-yard touchdown run in the first quarter freshmen quarterback Dontavious Turner had a 35-yard touchdown run for another score.
“(Carter) did it all for us tonight,” Wall said. “All that we asked of him. He even played a little goal line quarterback under center.”
Turner played on the junior high team last season under junior high head coach Reginald Lumpkin.
Wall said his quarterback made some key plays.
“There were times he didn’t make the play we thought he could have,” Wall said. “But then he would make a play we didn’t expect him to.”
Turner had 15 carries for 98 yards and one touchdown.
Brian Smith led the team with five tackles.
“They showed up, and they were loud,” Wall said of the South Pike Eagles fans who traveled in the rainy weather to support their team. “We could hear them and it gave us what we needed.”
South Pike plays its home opener at 7 p.m. Friday against Franklin County.
