SPOTSYLVANIA-In a game that looked like it was going to be a defensive struggle for the 1st half, the Southampton High School offense had trouble staying on the field and Spotsylvania High School was able to break it wide up in the 3rd quarter. The Knights were able to win 27-0, as Spotsylvania’s time of possession advantage put the Indians defense on the ropes.

Southampton Head Coach Willie Gillus said early in the game, things were looking good.

“We ran the football effectively early in the game,” Gillus said. “We had moved the ball a lot better than we had all year.

“But we were just so ineffective passing the ball that it got to the point where they just bogged our run game down by putting a lot of people in the box.”

The Knights dared the Indians to throw it by doubling down on the run, but Southampton’s passing game put an end to several drives with costly turnovers.

“We turned the ball over too many times,” he said. “We threw 4 interceptions and they also recovered our fumble.

“The defense was just on the field too long. The offense should have been out there for more plays.”

Gillus said that the defense had done a good job at putting the Knights in 3rd and long situations several times, but then they’d give up big plays.

“The guys really had big hearts tonight on defense — it was just minor breakdowns,” he said. “That’s really disheartening to a defense when they can stop them but then give up the 1st down on a 3rd and 13.”

The Indians did shine on special teams, however. Gillus said on every kickoff, the Knights attempted an onside kick after every score, but his guys were able to get on top of the ball.

Late in the game, the defense also shined a little. After the Knights got the 1st and goal on the 4-yard line, the Indians shut them down.

“They didn’t get in,” Gillus said. “That just shows how hard the kids were playing. They played to the end.”