INTER-COUNTY LEAGUE South Range win is 3 times as sweet

The contest seemed to be decided by the end of the first quarter.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH LIMA -- Using an outstanding offensive effort and equally impressive performance from the defense, South Range wrapped up the Inter-County League championship, an undefeated season and a home playoff game with a 35-10 victory over Jackson-Milton on Friday.
"We had hopes, dreams and goals, and this was the first step," said South Range coach Dan Yeagley, who also had an undefeated season at South Range in 1996.
"It's really an honor to finish in the top four and get to host a playoff game," he said. "These kids really worked hard the entire season and in the off-season, and it was one of those years that everything went the right way."
Decisive first quarter: By the end of the first quarter, the contest was basically decided as South Range (10-0, 8-0 ICL) not only led 14-0 but held a 111-2 edge over the Bluejays (2-7, 2-4) in total yards.
Jeff Johnston dashed 44 yards for a touchdown on the game's second play, and after a fumble recovery from Justin Coburn, Johnston tallied on a 6-yard run to help the Raiders build a 14-0 lead.
The Raiders, who had five first downs in the first quarter, struck again early in the second when quarterback Jim Sanders found Jason King with a 36-yard touchdown pass.
Fumble recovered: Lee Everett then came up big on defense for the Raiders, recovering a Jackson-Milton fumble at the Bluejays' 31.
Two plays later, Brad Johnson scored on a 13-yard run to make it 28-0.
Late in the quarter, South Range started at the Bluejays' 46. Three plays later and behind the rushing of King and Johnston, South Range had a first down at the 4.
Johnson went in from there to increase the margin to 35-0 at intermission.
Injury: Before the Johnson run, Johnston went down with a knee injury and was removed from sidelines on a cart. He was scheduled to have X-rays and he'll meet today with a specialist.
Johnston finished with 130 yards on 11 carries, while Johnson ended with 62 on eight. Both had a pair of touchdowns.
South Range held a 267 to minus 5 yards total offense at intermission.
"Getting to the playoffs and being able to host a game has been one of our primary goals and finally we get to do it," Sanders said.
"Obviously, we are really happy with the undefeated season, but after tonight that doesn't matter," he said. "We've got to look to do some damage in the playoffs."