The #6(1A) South Hardin football team has clinched a spot in the Class 1A playoffs, will look to fine tune areas of game as they visit Columbus Catholic in regular season finale on Friday.
South Hardin (6-1, 3-1 1A-4) rallied in the second half to clinch sole possession of second place in the district with a 34-21 win at Hudson last week. The Tiger offense has been at it’s best with balance between 1,418 rushing yards and 1,203 passing yards. Peyton Welch has been an ace through the air with 1,175 passing yards (second in district) and 15 touchdowns (tied for first in district). Jaxon Drury has provided a boost on the ground with 894 rushing yards (third in district) and 14 touchdowns (leads district). The Tigers defense has been a step ahead in turnover battle with 14 fumble recoveries (leads 1A).
South Hardin Head Coach Nick Eller on not overlooking the Sailors and areas to shore up on in regular season finale.
“They got athletes, they got a really nice throwing quarterback. They’ve been in a lot of these games for a good chunk of the game and then all of a sudden, boom, it gets away from them. It’s definitely a sneaker game than the record looks,” says Eller. “Coach Schmit always has a really good scheme that’s gonna come at you on offense. They’ve struggled stopping teams, so we’ve gotta definitely take advantage, keep control of the ball and really hammer away. Then really work on our pass defense this week, we have had a couple lapses the last two games that hurt us. They’re gonna throw the ball and throw it well. I’m hoping we can just put all that together and have a good game against Columbus. Then get rolling here going into the postseason play.”
Columbus Catholic (1-6, 1-3 1A-4) enter off their first win of the year 26-21 over East Marshall last week. The Sailors have been a pass heavy team with 1,116 passing yards to only 464 on the ground. The offense has struggled to cap off drives with points, being held to 16 points or less in three of four district games. Amani Robinson captains the offense with 1,116 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. The defense has been challenged allowing over 30 points to three of four district opponents.
Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. in Waterloo.
