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TSSAA semifinal opponents South, Columbia play similar styles of ball

Published November 25th, 2009 | 1 Comments

Sullivan South football coach Stacy Carter is having positive thoughts about Friday night’s TSSAA 5A semifinal matchup with Columbia.

“I think our boys are going down there to win,’’ Carter said after Wednesday’s practice. “They’re not just proud to be in the state playoffs. Maybe I’m a little too optimistic, but I feel that Columbia is beatable.’’

South (11-2) and Columbia (12-1) will be vying for a berth in the Dec. 4 state championship game at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville.

On paper, there isn’t much difference between the Rebels and Lions.

“Statistically, we’re so similar,’’ Columbia coach Vance Belew said. “Offensively, we’re identical. Defensively, we’re very much alike. Both teams are playing well.’’

This Columbia team has more wins than any other in school history.

“There’s a lot of excitement down here, as you could imagine,’’ Belew said.

The enthusiasm at South also is high. A sendoff parade along Fort Henry Drive through Colonial Heights is scheduled at 4 p.m. today. From there, the Rebels will travel by charter bus to Murfreesboro. On Friday morning, the team will have a walk-through session at Riverdale High School before going to Columbia’s Lindsey Nelson Stadium, the game site. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Eastern time.

South’s big offensive guns are quarterback Aaron St. Clair, running back Bobby Taylor and wide receiver Ashton Zanoni.

The Rebels also may have available pile-driving fullback Clint Phillips, who has been restricted to defense since returning from an injury layoff.

St. Clair, despite sitting out a long stretch of the season with a back injury, has completed 86 of 138 passes for 1,125 yards and nine touchdowns. Backup QB Heath Haden has hit on 65 of 123 throws for 950 yards and five TDs.

Taylor has rushed 201 times for 1,148 yards and 14 TDs.

Zanoni has made 38 catches for 726 yards and eight TDs.

Their counterparts are quarterback Zach Tate, tailback Tra’Darius Goff and wide receiver Bryant Belew.

Tate, like St. Clair, is an inspirational leader. He has connected on 94 of 175 passes for 1,935 yards and 13 TDs. He will throw on any down from any spot on the field.

Goff, who nursed a leg injury through several games, returned to top form last week in a 50-44 overtime win against Anderson County. The 230-pound tailback has had 165 carries for 953 yards and 24 TDs from the I-formation.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Belew, the son of Columbia’s coach, has committed to play at the University of Chattanooga. He’s caught 40 passes for 989 yards and six TDs. The Lions have another quality wide receiver in Tyree Scribner, who has 20 catches for 493 yards and five TDs.

“We’re more concerned about Tate hitting those two receivers on big plays than anything else,’’ Carter said. “When Tate throws, it’s usually deep.’’

South and Columbia have comparable game plans: move the ball consistently on the ground, control the clock and sprinkle in some passes.

“We’ll be alright if we move the ball with our running game,’’ Carter said. “We’re going to mix in a few passes. Our style of play (no huddle, shotgun formation) is a bit different from what Columbia has been seeing.’’

Columbia’s only loss was 31-28 to Independence. The Lions, until this year, had never been as far as the quarterfinals.

South lost by wide margins to Dobyns-Bennett and Tennessee High when its season was at a low ebb.

Memphis Mitchell (10-3) is favored over Beech (11-2) in the other semifinal.

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Go Rebels!

Kari Lucas | 11/25/2009 - 10:47 PM - ( Comment

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