Kyle Hill (@Coach_Kyle_Hill)

Scout & Writer

Huntingburg, Indiana: Week One of the 2020 IHSAA Football State Tournament is complete.  We have now entered Sectional Semifinal Week, as all six classes will be in action.  I will be making a return trip to Huntingburg this week to take in the Class 3A, Sectional 32 Semifinal between Gibson Southern (7-3, # 9 – AP, # 8 – Coaches, PAC Big School Division Champion) and Southridge (10-0, # 4 – AP, # 4 – Coaches, PAC Small School Division Champion).

This is a rematch of a Week 5 (September 18th) game, one in which the Raiders defeated the Titans, 48-28.  With the slate ‘wiped clean’ for the State Tournament, I am looking forward to seeing ‘Round Two’ of this matchup of two of the premier programs in Southern Indiana. 

The Raiders’ ground game, one that has rushed for nearly 360 yards per game, is spearheaded by the ‘Big Three’ of QB Chase Taylor (939 yards rushing, 11 rushing TD’s), WB Camden Gasser (878 yards rushing, 11 rushing TD’s), and FB Matt Springer (839 yards rushing, 16 rushing TD’s).  Gasser leads the way for the Raiders in receiving as well (331 yards receiving, 9 receiving TD’s).

Defensively, the Raiders have been stifling, limiting its opponents to under 9 points per game.  Though Springer leads Southridge with 84 tackles, the Raiders have many other outstanding contributors (six altogether) that have 50+ tackles on the season.  Gasser also has 6 interceptions as a member of the Southridge secondary.

The Titans, meanwhile, have played a rugged schedule, one that has prepared them for the postseason.  Gibson Southern’s offense, led by Jr. QB (and Purdue commit) Brady Allen (2,049 yards passing, 27 passing TD’s, 5 Interceptions), is potent with its air attack.  Jr. WR Rory Heltsley (561 yards receiving, 8 receiving TD’s), Sr. WR Logan Murfin (522 yards receiving, 6 receiving TD’s) and Jr. WR Brayden Malone (431 receiving yards, 5 receiving TD’s) are key targets in the Titans’ passing game.  TB Owen Bryant (814 rushing yards, 10 rushing TD’s) provides Gibson Southern with a balanced offense.

The Titans’ defense had some struggles early against a very difficult schedule, but has seemed to round into form of late, having allowed fewer than 6 points per game over its last five games.  Sr. LB Carter Green, with an astounding 128 tackles in 10 games (including two games of 20+-tackles), will lead the Titans’ defensive efforts against the Southridge offense.

This promises to be an outstanding game, and I cannot wait to see which team will emerge victorious and advance to the Sectional Championship game next week.

Gibson Southern @ Southridge  – 10/30/2020