SYLVANIA – Ross’ defense had little room for error Friday night but that was just fine with the Little Giant defenders because they needed almost no room at all.
Ross defense was nearly perfect, pitching a shutout until midway through the fourth quarter, and led the Little Giants to a 20-6 victory at Sylvania Southview
Ross first half highlights
The Little Giant defense spent as much time in Southview’s backfield as the Cougars did. Of Southview’s 20 first-half plays, Ross held them to no gain or tackled the ball-carrier in the backfield 10 times. Southview went into halftime with -23 yards of offense.
Ross’ offense, save one big play, wasn’t a lot better. Quarterback Hayden Lehmann hit a streaking Roger Burling on a post route for a 77-yard touchdown early in the second quarter for the first touchdown of the game. Beyond that, however, Ross’ offense was stagnant. The Little Giants went into halftime with 140 yards of offense, including just 14 rushing yards and 126 passing on 8-of-15 passing by Lehmann.
Southview’s ensuing possession ended in disaster for the Cougars. A bad snap on a punt left quarterback/punter Braydon Schmidt scrambling at his goalline. He completed a pass but the Little Giants took over at the Cougar 3-yard line. Two plays later, Ethan Chumley punched into the end zone from 1 yard out.
Ross went 3-for-7 on third down conversions in the half while Southview was 1 for 6.
Ross second half highlights
More of the same followed in the third quarter. The Ross defense was stifling but the Little Giant offense couldn’t get out of its own way. Penalties and missed opportunities plagued Ross in the third quarter.
Like the first half, however, Ross had one big play in up its sleeve. A counter trap run sprang Noah Hotz for a 72-yard touchdown run, giving Ross a 20-0 lead with nine minutes remaining.
Ross’ defensive shutout evaporated a few minutes later when quarterback Nathan Taylor found Zech Miller down the Southview sideline for a 54-yard touchdown with 4:54 to play.
Scoring summary
1st quarter
No scoring
2nd quarter
FR – Roger Burling 77 pass from Hayden Lehmann (kick fail), 7:09
FR – Ethan Chumley 1 run (Mikey Contreras kick), 3:49
3rd quarter
No scoring
4th quarter
FR – Noah Hotz 72 run (Contreras kick), 9:03
SHS – Zach Miller 56 pass from Nathan Taylor (kick fail), 4:54