Mohawk Gordon

SMS Completes Perfect Season

Compiled From Staff Reports

The Southside Middle School football team downed Tuskegee Institute Middle School  58-14 to complete an unblemished 6-0 season.

The 58 points is believed to be a record for a junior high team. Quarters are eight minutes each. The point total would be the equivalent of 87 points in a high school game or 108 in a college game. "In my 13 years of coaching the middle school in Tallassee, there hasn't been a game where we have scored that many points," Head Coach Mark Baynes said. "The running backs just took over and wouldn't stop. A lot of the credit should be given to the offensive line. Those guys whipped a much bigger TIMS front five all night long."

SMS tallied 450 yards of total offense. Leading rushers were DJ Rivers, Herman McKenzie, and Brandon Baynes. Rivers had 11 carries for 187 yards and 4 TDs (1 INT return for another TD). McKenzie had 13 carries for 165 yards and 1 TD, while Baynes had 13 carries for 93 yards and 2 TDs.

Defensivley the Tigers gave up two quick touchdowns in the first quarter to a very fast TIMS offense. Defensive Coordinator, Rick Golden rallied his troops and commenced to shutting them down for the rest of the game. TIMS had 147 yards of total offense on the night and 110 of those came in the first quarter. "A lot of credit should be given to the SMS defensive backfield (Braxton Hancock, Seth Golden and DJ Rivers) for shutting down their passing attack," Golden said. Leading tacklers were Herman McKenzie, Drew Baker and Peyton Brown. The Tigers also registered three interceptions in the game. (Baynes, McKenzie and Rivers)

"This was a fun year, one that will stay with these kids and me for a long time I hope," Baynes added. "I was proud to be involved with such a fine bunch of young men. The kids have been beating teams much bigger than them for a long time....I hope it continues in the future."

The Southside Middle School football team remained undefeated after victory of the Eclectic Middle School panthers.  The tigers got off to a quick start by recording a safety, then immediately scoring again as  Brandon Baynes returned the ensuing kick for a touchdown.  DJ Rivers had two rushing touchdowns and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.  Peyton Brown also scored a touchdown on a 30 yard pass from Seth Golden.  The tigers finished the night with 242 yards rushing on 29 carries, while Golden went 2 of 3 through the air for 30 yards.

Defensively, the tigers stifled the Elmore County Middle School offense, allowing just 30 yards of total offense on 22 carries.  The defensive effort was led by Herman McKenzie who recorded 10 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown.

The win moves Southside Middle School to 5-0 on the season.  The tigers will conclude their season Monday night at home against Tuskegee Institute Middle School, who they defeated in week 3 of the season.