Southern Vance High School logo
Nov 4, 2011
Nobody said it had to be smooth.
Southern Vance, the No. 3 seed in the Mideast, advanced to the second round of the 3A state playoffs Friday night after a wild finish against No. 6 Southern Wayne.
Down 14-7 with 1:28 left in the game and driving in the Raider red zone, the Saints of Southern Wayne (6-5) gave the ball away on a fumble forced by Reggie Hunter and recovered by Chris J. Henderson.
But 22 seconds later, SV giftwrapped another opportunity for its guests, fumbling at its own 24.
The turnover carousel hadn’t made its way around though and the Raiders came away with the last takeaway as Xavier Gregory picked off the Saints’ QB to ice the game.
Southern (9-2) advances to face No. 2 Clayton Cleveland (9-2), which knocked off No. 7 Southern Lee (5-6) Friday, 39-14. Cleveland and Southern Wayne both compete in the Eastern Carolina Conference.
Friday’s Raiders-Saints game was tied at 7 at halftime and that count stood until the fourth when Chris Henderson broke off a 46-yard touchdown run for SV. Henderson burst through the middle of the SW defense, nearly untouched as he raced past the Saints’ secondary. The extra point from Mike Burns made it 14-7.
SW struck first in the second quarter, cashing in on a short drive made possible by a blocked punt. Xavier Lofton ran in from eight yards out before the extra point made it 7-0.
The Raiders drew even late in the quarter on a Devonte Henderson to E.J. Miles 16-yard connection. The QB and receiver also hooked up for a 28-yard play to set the score up, along with runs from Miles Clifton and Chris Henderson. Burns’ extra point on the TD was good.
For more information on the game, see Sunday’s print edition.
This story is closed for comments.
