Vann's touchdown gives Southern Wayne confidence

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on August 21, 2011 1:51 AM

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WARSAW -- David Lee won't forget this one.

A sparse Southern Wayne crowd won't, either.

The Saints' "three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust" wing-T offense turned explosive on a rain-soaked Friday evening at Bill Taylor Field. Lee's team broke three touchdown runs for 60 or more yards in a shocking, 27-19 conquest of the No. 11-ranked Tigers.

It was the season opener for both teams.

"I don't know how much coaching that was, but the kids had a lot of heart," said Lee of his triumphant debut as SWhead coach. "The kids were resilient, stepped up on offense and defense when we needed it. I couldn't be more prouder of my guys."

James Kenan (0-1 overall) endured a season-opening loss for just the second time since 2004.

Southern Wayne made an offensive statement early, and backed it up throughout the game. Senior Tyshawn Vann galloped 71 yards to the end zone on the opening play from scrimmage -- just one of four back-breaking rushes that covered 60 or more yards on the night.

"(Vann's TD) put an unbelievable amount of confidence into the whole team," said SW senior offensive lineman Tim Sutton. "Everybody was excited because nobody was expecting it, even the coaches. You should have seen it in everybody's eyes ... they just lit up.

"An unbelievable win."

The Tigers encountered timing issues in their no-huddle offense, which is predicated on the pass. Quarterback Parker Jones whipped passes through receivers' hands, but also had several dropped in a 19-for-43, 293-yard performance.

The senior gunslinger spread the wealth among seven receivers. TJ Fullwood hauled in a game-high nine catches for 157 yards. Freshman Marcelias Sutton caught three strikes, including a 59-yard scoring bomb.

Sutton's TD tied the game at 7-7 in the first quarter.

William Sutton's 5-yard plunge pushed the Saints back ahead 13-7 before Jones answered with a game-tying, 3-yard dive in the second quarter. Lightning delayed the contest for 30-plus minutes and the teams entered the locker room deadlocked at 13-13 at intermission.

Jones misfired on nine consecutive throws and tossed a third-quarter pick before hitting Andre Smith with a 22-yard completion. Smith's reception occurred during an 11-play drive that ended on downs at the Saints' 26-yard line.

The Tigers converted just two of four red-zone possessions.

"We had some sticks," said Lee. "Defensively, we played our coverages like we were supposed to most of the night. We had a few missed tackles."

Jamie Dove collected the Saints' go-ahead touchdown, a 74-yard run after the defense stopped Kenan on its 5 1/2-minute possession. Dove concluded the night with 70 yards on just five totes.

"Last year, the first game of the season, on the same exact play I blew my knee out," said Dove. "Coach let it me run it again and I wanted it bad. All I can say about the (touchdown) is the O-line ... can't give it to anyone except them.

"I broke off behind Sutton and refused to let anyone take me down."

Southern Wayne extended its lead to 27-13 on Quintae Bradshaw's 63-yard run. Bradshaw led all carriers with 163 yards on 15 rushes, while Vann added 134 yards on 15 runs.

The Saints grinded out 378 rushing yards.

Kenan pulled within 27-19 on Jones' 46-yard touchdown pass to Fullwood, but could get no closer. Jones misfired on seven of his final eight passes, including an interception inside the Saints' 30-yard line.