SF can play defense, too, routs Ambridge
McDONALD – Quarterback Drew Saxton and the South Fayette offense garner most of the headlines, but through the first three games of the season the Lions’ defensive players are making sure people take notice of them as well.
The Lions came into Friday night’s home contest against Ambridge having allowed only six total points in two early season wins.
Seeing the Bridgers on the schedule was just what the Lions’ defense needed to keep their momentum going. The Lions feasted on the Bridgers’ offense as South Fayette won with ease, 47-7, in a Northwest Nine Conference game.
“I’m very proud of our defense,” said South Fayette head coach Joe Rossi. “Nine new starters, but we are getting to the ball, doing the right things and we are hungry.”
The South Fayette starters flexed their collective muscle in the first half, limiting Ambridge to minus-six yards total offense and only one first down. They also recorded four sacks and forced three turnovers as South Fayette built a 40-0 halftime lead.
Peyton Tinney intercepted a pass and Sean Sutcavage and Jake Walker recovered fumbles for the Lions.
“We aren’t the biggest and we aren’t the strongest, but this defense can be very special,” said senior Noah Plack, who had one of the four SF sacks. “We fly to the ball and Coach Rossi coaches us up really well. We are faster than we were last year and I think we have more overall depth.”
The Lions’ offense did its part to keep up with the defense.
Running back Johnny Beck opened up the scoring on the Lions’ first drive, punching it in from six yards. Beck finished with 82 rushing yards on eight carries.
Saxton then hit a wide open RayQuin Glover with a 29-yard touchdown pass to make it 13-0.
Joe Mowod scored on a one-yard run as SF scored on its first three possessions. Mowod’s touchdown was set up by a blocked punt by Eamon Horowitz.
The Lions’ offense wasn’t crisp as South Fayette committed nine penalties, but after a few sluggish possessions Saxton found the end zone on the ground with a 12-yard touchdown run that made it 27-0.
South Fayette recovered fumbles on back-to-back series with under 1:30 left in the first half and converted both into touchdowns. Saxton hit Tinney with a 19-yard TD pass and Johnny Obenour capped off the first-half scoring with an eight-yard run. Saxton completed 14 of 20 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
“When you have an offense that can put points up on the board like we can, it helps the defense a lot, too,” Rossi said. “Getting early leads takes teams out of what they like to do.”
The second half started with more of the same from the Lions. Ryan Fleming recovered an Ambridge fumble, and two plays later Andrew Franklin raced 84 yards for a touchdown to make it 47-0.
Steven Ziegler intercepted a pass for South Fayette in the second half, the fifth takeaway of the night.
Ambridge finally scored midway through the fourth quarter when Robbie Thompson connected with Dozhay Crumb on a 58-yard pass.
A big problem in last season’s playoff loss to New Castle was the inability of the defense to get a stop when they needed one. It’s still early in the season, but from the looks of things Rossi just might have a solid defensive unit he can rely on in close games.
“We just want to make sure that we continually get better as a defense each day,” Rossi said. “Last year we were a great defense until the final week. It’s still early though. We just need to keep getting better and this can be a pretty good defense. All these new starters and new faces. They are hungry and they have been going out and making plays.”