The Southampton High Indians prevailed 12-7 over Bay Rivers District foe Warhill here Friday night in a defensive struggle.

The victory was the Indians’ first of the season after four losses. Warhill fell to 0-5.

While the score was close, the stat sheet was not. The Indians piled up 251 yards of offense, including 219 on the ground, while the visitors had just 96.

Southampton scored both of its touchdowns in the second quarter.

The first was a 12-yard touchdown pass from Kendal Carwile to junior tight end Thaddeus Stephenson, followed by an unsuccessful extra-point kick.

Carwile, a senior quarterback, also scored on a 1-yard keeper, and the Indians led 12-0 at halftime.

The third quarter proved to be uneventful, with neither team able to capitalize.

The opening play of the fourth quarter was a punt from the Tigers to the Indians, who found themselves deep in their own territory after two major penalties, a personal foul and holding, forfeiting 30 yards. Forced to punt, the Indians booted it to Warhill’s Kenaan Canaday, who returned the ball 41 yards to the Indian 22-yard line.

On the ensuing play, a pass to Michael Seger resulted in the only touchdown on the second half for either team and the only touchdown of the game for the Tigers. The extra point made it 12-7 in favor of the Indians with 4:54 left in the game.

With 2:45 left, SHS found itself with a fourth-and-1 on the Tiger 29. After a timeout, Carwile was able to convert the crucial first down on a keeper.

Warhill got the ball back with 57 seconds left but couldn’t score.

Andre Rawls and Calvin Stringfield each rushed for 84 yards for SHS. Bobby Ellsworth added 53 yards. Carwile hit 3-of-4 passes for 32 yards .

“It was a good defensive game, with their only score being on a trick play,” said Indian coach Littleton Parker. “We got fooled on one play. We also had three new people in our secondary tonight”.

Southampton travels to Bruton next Friday.