Courtesy of Sand Mountain Reporter
Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy
Sardis ended a five-game losing streak, posted its first shutout in 55 games and earned its first Class 5A Region 8 victory of the season with a 20-0 over Douglas on Friday, Oct. 18 at Douglas.
The Lion offense was carried by senior quarterback Brian Chapman and junior running back Levi Martin, with the former scoring a passing and rushing touchdown and the latter a rushing touchdown.
Sardis improves to 2-6 overall and 1-4 in region play, while Douglas falls to 3-4 and 0-4.
The Lions produced the game’s first scoring drive of the game early in the second quarter on Chapman’s 4-yard rushing touchdown.
Late in the third quarter, Martin (pictured above) scored from a yard out to expand the Sardis lead to 12-0.
Sardis’ final scoring drive started with at the 8:57 mark of the fourth quarter and ended with two minutes remaining in the game with Chapman’s TD pass to Josh Hopper.
Sardis head coach B.J. Brooks gave credit to his defense for giving up zero points.
“The defense was flying around tonight,” he said. “I don’t know how many tipped balls we had or how many quarterback hurries. That’s what won us the game. I made some bad play calls and we didn’t execute at times on offense, but the defense kept us in it. I know that as long as that scoreboard says zero [points] for the other team, we can’t lose, and tonight we kept it at zero.”
For the Lions (2-6, 1-4), Chapman was 9 of 20 in passing for 150 yards and a touchdown and rushed 12 times for 56 yards and a score. Martin carried 28 times for 130 yards and a TD.
Defensively, Sardis limited the Eagles to 35 total yards. Grant Coe finished with 10 tackles, including five for a loss, while forcing a fumble. Martin had nine tackles, including three for a loss, and two sacks. Jacob Payne had an interception.
Brooks was pleased that his team was able to secure its first region win.
“Football practice is never easy, especially when you are losing,” said Brooks. “It makes it even harder, so I’m super proud of those guys.”
The Lions step out of region play on Friday, Oct. 18 with visit to Fairview.
