SCHS Indians hit road for semis
By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
Nov. 27, 2002
Following three straight playoff wins at home, the Southern Choctaw Indians must hit the road for the Alabama Class 2A State semifinal contest on Friday night.
The Indians, 12-0, will head to the wiregrass region of Alabama to meet Slocomb High School. Slocomb pulled out an 18-13 win over Washington County in last week's third round game.
The Red Tops, 12-1, were down 13-0 to Washington County after one quarter of play. Slocomb stayed in it and were down just 13-12 with two minutes to play when they blocked a punt.
The Red Tops recovered at the WC six and Danny Sasser scored the go ahead touchdown for the win with a minute to play.
The Friday semifinal match will pit two tough defenses against one another. The winner of the contest will face the Lineville-Pisgah winner next Friday at 3 p.m. at the Alabama Super Six Championship games at Legion Field in Birmingham.
Indians head coach Larry Boykin said the Indians can not underestimate the Red Tops.
Southern Choctaw posted a third round playoff shutout beating visiting Houston Academy of Dothan 21-0 last Friday in Gilbertown. The Indians did not allow the HA Raiders inside the red zone at any time during the game.
The Indians defensive unit is led by Alabama 2A Defensive Player of the Year nominee Chris Pugh. Pugh, a 6-3, 230-pounder, leads the team in tackles as a linebacker. Defensive end Billy McGrew is the other top Indian player.
Southern Choctaw owns a 34-0 shutout of Washington County in a game that pretty much sealed the Region 1-2A title for the Indians.
The Indians offense is led by running back Detric Causey who scored on touchdown runs of 3 and 9 yards. Jo Jo Dozier had 40 yards rushing to set the team's first score on a 7-yard scramble by quarterback Bernard McGrew.
Slocomb will feature a tough defensive unit as well. The Red Tops have allowed just 95 points in 13 games.
Defensive end L.B. Reynolds (6-0, 255) is the top player. Linebacker Michael Henson is one of the top tacklers while defensive tackle Brady Kemp (6-2, 272) provides size inside.
The Red Top offense is led by quarterback Blake Mills who has passed for nearly 900 yards this season. Tight end Randall Graham (6-4, 242) and receiver Justin Shapes are the two top targets.
