Torrential downpours and all, the South Warren Spartans trekked to Adair County, where two unbeaten in class 3A would clash with a #1 ranking possibly on the line, and after a 28 point second half, including a streak of 35 unanswered points from the Spartans, it would be South Warren who would remain perfect on the season as they defeated the Indians 42-12.
The Spartans struck first on their opening possession of the game, with an 86 yard drive in under three minutes, which saw quarterback Ryder Litten run it in in from two yards out. At the end of the first quarter, Spartan running back Julius Allen was stripped by Indian linebacker Josh Brown, and he took it 52 yards the other way for the first, and for a while only, Indian touchdown on the night. The Spartans’ special teams would come up big and block the point after attempt.
On the next offensive drive, Allen would fumble the ball again, but the Spartan defense would stand tall and quickly allow possession back to South.
The Spartans scored on every drive they had in the third quarter, inevitably turning the game into a running-clock, and when the clock did hit zero after a short fourth quarter, the Indians had suffered their first loss of the season.
The South defense put an all-out stop on the Indian rushing attack, holding them to 65 rushing yards and 160 total yards. The Spartan offense had 442 yards of offense, with Austin McElwain having 130 total yards of offense, as well as three touchdowns – two through the air and a rush. Litten also had himself a multi-touchdown game, and threw for 216 yards on 10 completions, while running back Karyon Namvong, who only played in the second half, had eight carries for 85 yards and a score.
The Spartans will close the season at home with two games, separated by only a bye week. Next week, South Warren will welcome in Monroe County for a 7:00 kick.
