DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
SPICELAND – The South Adams Starfires had themselves a football game in a foreign environment Friday night. Stalling on their first drive and allowing a long touchdown to one of Tri’s triple options, the #10 Starfires compounded their problems with a snap over the head of Tytus Lehman that was nearly a TD for the home team on their second drive. By the time Will Patterson punted from his own end zone, Tri had the ball, a 7-0 lead and the ultimate of short fields.
Then came a penalty, a stop and a fourth-down try.
And Wes Summersett.
Forced to throw the ball for the first time in the game, Cole Melton tried to hit his man on a slant route and Summersett stepped in front of the receiver, making a great play and subsequently juking three or four Tri players for a sensational 82-yard touchdown return that, frankly speaking, may have just ended Tri’s hopes in that very moment.
What followed for the Starfires was absolute domination on both sides of the ball. Tri found no success on offense the rest of the half, punting three times and failing on fourth down once. Meanwhile, the offense found plenty of clean air and Tytus Lehman went to work.
Lehman hit Summersett in the back of the end zone early in the second quarter to give the Stars a lead they never gave back. After a three-and-out by Tri, Lehman then found Will Patterson in the flat and he worked around multiple defenders to run 65 yards down the sideline for the score.
The only semblance of hope for the home team came after the Stars had made it 27-7 on a Derek McKean touchdown. Melton went back to the air for the Titans and hit Zavier Hanson deep downfield for a 60-yard score. The Stars were forced to punt after a three-and-out and Tri quickly made their way into the red zone, knowing that a score would put them within six points of the Stars.
Instead of the game getting interesting again, the Starfire defense stepped up and got the stop on fourth down, stuffing the Titans up the middle. All hope was lost just a few plays later when Summersett made an incredible catch with a man draped over him, wrestling the ball away from the DB mid-air to get SA to the one-yard line. Coach Moser recognized Summersett’s efforts and handed him the ball on the very next play and he iced the game, putting the Stars up 35-14.
Summersett and Kaleb Minger, who had a great game defensively, added late touchdowns to trigger the running clock.
The Stars never needed the ground game, but Lehman did use his legs in the second half, picking up 35 yards on five keepers. Instead it was Tytus’ arm that did all the damage. Lehman was 23 of 35 for 340 yards and four scores.
Derek McKean led the team with nine catches and 104 yards receiving. Summersett had six receptions and a 99-yard night.
Patterson (11) and Summersett (9) led the team in tackles. Along with his pick-six, Summersett also had a strip sack late in the fourth quarter while the Stars were on the romp.
With their win on the road, the Starfires earn a home game in the sectional championship. They’ll play a Hagerstown team that beat Monroe Central Friday night 22-8. The Tigers are 5-6 on the season.
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