South Point will play in the state semifinals for the second straight year and fourth time since 2002 when the Red Raiders play host to Anson County tonight at 7:30.
The winner advances to next week’s 3AA state championship game in Chapel Hill.
Lineberger Stadium will undoubtedly be packed tonight, but for those of you staying at home, I’ll bring you the action as it happens. Check back here at 7:30 and refresh often as I update on each drive.
6:49 update
It was crazy driving between all the tailgaters on my way in at 6 p.m. Not many people are staying in the parking lot, though, as the home side is more than 75 percent full. The Anson side is somewhere around 35 percent full.
The most interesting thing right now is that the Anson football team has not started warming up on the field yet. Someone said they spotted the team bus a while back, but no sight of them in the stadium.
6:55 update
Anson is making its entrance onto the field behind someone waving a flag that with a logo resembling the Clemson paw.
7:09 p.m.
Both teams have left the field and have entered the lockerrooms for their final pregame preparations. The home side looks mostly full from my vantage point. The Anson side is about 60 percent full, with the section to my right almost completely empty.
SCOUTING THE TEAMS
South Point showcased its offensive balance last week in a 24-7 win at Kannapolis Brown as four players (FB Aaron Crumbley, WB Scott McWhirter, QB Josh Justice and WB Ramon Costner) rushed for at least 58 yards each. Crumbley last week tied the Gaston County record with his 84th career rushing TD. Justice leads the team with 1,577 rushing yards and has completed almost half his passes (39 for 83) for 733 yards and 8 TDs.
Defensively, the Red Raiders have given up only one touchdown over the past six quarters.
Anson rushed for 345 yards last week to upset No. 1 seed Northern Guilford 34-32. The Bearcat offense features Shrine Bowl lineman Tra Thomas and Clemson-bound running back Brandon Ellerbe. The Anson defense features LB Stephone Anthony, the state’s No. 2 prospect in the Class of 2011.
Until kickoff, you might want to check out some of our stories leading up to the game.
Falls wants state championship ring before joining East Carolina roster
Basketball team disappointed to be playing during football game
COIN TOSS
Anson County won the toss and deferred its choice to the second half. South Point will receive the opening kickoff.
South Point players are wearing red jerseys and black pants to go with their red helmets.
Anson is dressed in purple pants, white jerseys with orange numbers and orange helmets. They look a lot like Clemson.
FIRST QUARTER
Costner returned the kickoff 17 yards to the SP 40.
Crumbley pikced up 4 yards on first down, then Justice ran a QB keeper for 12 yards to the Anson 44.
Runs of 2 and 5 yards by Crumbley sets up third and 3 from the Andon 37.
Wow. That was quick. On that third down play, Justice ran to the left and found a wide-open hole on his way to a 37-yard TD run. Mitchell’s extra point was good. South Point 7, Anson County 0, 9:48 first quarter.
Mitchell’s kickoff went out of bounds. Anson will start its first drive at its own 35.
Anson is moving the ball just as effectively as South Point did on its first drive. A 6-yard gain for Ellerbe, the Clemson commitment, then a 10-yard pickup for QB Hildreth on second down.
To Red Raider Alum — Crumbley is being recruited by Navy, Air Force and Army. He plans a visit to Navy in January before making his decision official. As far as Justice, I haven’t asked for a recruiting update on him recently.
Anson gained six yards on the next two plays combined, then passed for the first time. The pass was incomplete and there was holding on the play. That forced a third and 17 from the Anson 44. A deep pass sailed just out of the reach of the intended target and Anson punted.
South Point takes over at its own 22.
Justice gained 18 yards on first down but that was about all the Red Raiders could msuter. After a pair of 2-yard gains by Crumbley, a holding penalty wiped out a nice gain on a pitch to McWhirter. That forced third and 14 from the SP 36. Justice then threw deep — too deep. The crowd wanted pass interference because the receiver went down but the pass was clearly uncatchable. South Point punted and Anson fair caught it at the Anson 24. 5:11 left in the first quarter.
Jerry — Yeah, Ellerbe is a junior. He’s an early commitment.
Illegal procedure negated a long gain by Stephone Anthony, the highly regarded linebacker. Still, Cole caught an 8-yard pass for a first down, then Anthony ran for 5 yards to the Anson 41. Second and 5 with 2:13 left in the first quarter. Anson has called timeout.
There’s the first turnover of the game. Ellerbe had picked up 7 yards when the ball came loose and rolled forward. South Point’s Jalen Porter pounced on the loose ball, giving the Red Raiders possession at their own 40, 59.2 seconds left in first.
Six yards for Justice on first down, then 2 yards by Crumbley and that’ll take us to the end of the first quarter.
End of first quarter: South Point 7, Anson County 0
SECOND QUARTER
South Point picked up a first down on McWhirter’s 7-yard run but South Point stalled after that. Three short runs forced a punt that South Point downed at the Anson 14, 9:22 left in the half.
After an incomplete pass on first down, QB Hildreth found a seam on the left side for a 15-yard gain. We’ve heard a lot about the LB, RB and OL, but this quarterback looks like a nice athlete, too.
By the way, Southern Nash leads South Johnston 3-0 at the end of the first. The winner of that game will face South Point or Anson for the state title next Saturday.
A holding penalty took away a 14-yard run by Anthony, who looks to be every bit the athlete he’s been hyped up to be. It’ll be second and 15 from the Anson 37.
Big play for Anson. Falls laid a lick on QB Hildreth — but after he had released a deep throw to Polk, who made a diving catch at the South Point 34.
There’s the second turnover of the game. Hildreth botched a handoff and South Point recovered at the 30 to thwart the Bearcats’ best threat.
South Point came out throwing on its next drive. Justice underthrew Merrill, who slipped trying to come back to the ball. Justice then rushed for four yards on second down, then tossed an incomplete pass on third down. South Point punted for eht third straight drive, and Anson takes over at its own 39 with 3:53 left before halftime.
Hildreth passed to Cole for eight yards on first down then hooked up with three plays later for an 18-yard gain. Anson is again in business with first down at the South Point 32 with 1:47 until halftime.
Another turnover. Tydre’ Crawford made what looked like a one-handed diving interception across the middle of the field. Incredible play. Can’t wait to see the replay later tonight. South Point takes over at its own 13 with 1:03 until halftime and probably won’t try to do much here.
South Point ran two running plays and was content to walk into the field house with a 7-0 lead.
HALFTIME: South Point 7, Anson County 0
HALFTIME STATS
Anson County 0 0 – 0
South Point 7 0 – 7
First quarterSP – Josh Justice 37 run (Joey Mitchell kick), 9:48
A SP
First downs 7 4
Rushes-yards 20-82 17-111
Passing yards 80 0
Comp-Att-Int 6-9-1 0-3-0
Fumbles-lost 2-2 0-0
Penalties-yards 3-25 0-0
Individual statistics
RUSHING—Anson County, Brandon Ellerbe 9-44, Jordan Hildreth 4-29, Maurice Corpening 4-4, Stephone Anthony 3-5. South Point, Aaron Crumbley 7-21, Justice 7-79, Scott McWhirter 2-9, Ramon Costner 1-2.
PASSING—Anson County, Hildreth 6-9-1 80. South Point, Justice 0-3-0 0.
RECEIVING—Anson County, Drew Cole 3-34, Jonathan Hough 2-17, Jackie Polk 1-29. South Point, none.
THIRD QUARTER
By the way, Southern Nash leads South Johnston 13-10 at the half.
Anson picked up nine yards on its first two plays, then the QB fumbled again on third and one but an Anson lineman recovered. Anson punted away — twice — the second after a false start penalty. South Point takes over at its 38 at the 9:37 mark of the third.
On South Point’s second play, Justice used outstanding blocks by McWhirter and Williamson on his way to a 31-yard gain. Justice has rushed for 115 yards on nine carries.
Three plays later, Justice kept it again, ran left, then cut back inside and found daylight for a 19-yard TD run. Mitchell’s extra point was good and South Point leads 14-0 with 8:02 left in the third quarter.
Crowd esimated at around 6,000. It’s not a sellout, though. There are still seats remaining, although a lot of people are lining the fences.
Anson County does not have a radio station here.
Anson County has put together another decent drive with a couple of pass plays mixed in with the run. The Bearcats face fourth and 4, though, from the South Point 41. South Point called timeout to talk it over. Then, Anson County called timeout.
Anson tried a screen pass but Anthony couldn’t hold on to a low throw. South Point takes over at its own 41 with 2:23 left in the third
Four plays later, South Point scored again.
Justice threw a slant pass to Costner in stride and Costner outraced the secondary for a 42-yard TD. South Point 21, Anson 0, 2:23 third quarter.
Charles Ruff of Lincolnton pocketed tonight’s half-and-half drawing worth $732.
Bizarre play on the kickoff. South Point interfered on a fair catch attempt and Anson accepted the 15-yard penalty, resulting in a re-kick from the 25. Anson, though, didn’t get much on the return and a holding call backed them up to the 20.
The Bearcats look like they’ve given up. Two incomplete passes and a 0-yard rush resulted in another punt. South Point takes over at its own 49 with 1:18 to play in the third.
Another quick South Point touchdown. This team is on a roll led by QB Justice, who has rushed for his third TD of the night. This time he zigzagged through the Anson defense for a 30-yard TD. South Point 28, Anson County 0, 11:13 fourth.
South Point is moments away from advancing to its first state title game since 2003, when it won the championship.
Anson has finally scored, but it hardly matters. Hildreth connected with Cole for an 11-yard TD. South Point 28, Anson County 7, 7:54 fourth.
Anson recovered the onside kickoff and will take over at the South Point 45 with 7:53 remaining.
One play and another Anson County TD. Hildreth threw deep and again found Cole, this time for a 45-yard TD. The last time these teams played, South Point blew a late lead and Anson recovered an onside kick before staging the winning drive. Obviously that game was much closer, but I’m sure South Point fans are getting nervous with their lead down to 28-14, 7:44 remaining.
Amazing. Anson recovered another onside kick after a pass interference call on the TD allowed Anson to kick off from the SP 45. Anson ball at the SP 32 with 7:41 to play.
South Point got the break it needed. Ellerbe caught a screen pass before Ginn forced him to fumble. Crawford recovered it for South Point and the Red Raiders take over at their own 20 with 7:29 to go.
South Point picked up a first down on its third play and is trying its best to milk the clock.
Block in the back against South Point - first and 21 from the SP 35.
Incomplete pass stops the clock at 4:59. Second and 21.
Big play for South Point as Justice throws a laser to Merrill for a 25-yard gain to the Anson 40. First down.
That should do it. Justice ran for his fourth TD, this one from 40 yards out. South Point 35, Anson County 14, 4:29.
Anson drive -
Incomplete on first down from the Anson 24.
Second down - short loss on QB run
Third down - Screen pass to Anthony for 78 yards to the South Point 8.
First down - Hildreth rush for an 8-yard TD.
South Point 35, Anson County 21, 3:34 fourth quarter.
That was a quick drive. You know the onside kick is coming.
South Point’s Truesdale recovered the onside kick this time. Illegal touching on the kickoff anyway. South Point ball at the Anson 49 (where the Anson player touched the ball) with 3:34 remaining.
So much for running out the clock. Costner fumbled on SP’s first play and Anson recovered, taking over possession at the SP 49 with 3:27 remaining.
Anson has reached the South Point 15 after a 16-yard pass, offside penalty and a 13-yard run by Hildreth. 2:44 remaining.
In the East final, South Johnston has tied Southern Nash at 20 and they’re entering overtime.
Maybe that’ll do it. Patrick Horne intercepted Hildreth at the 2 and returned it to the 15 with 2:08 remaining. Let’s see if South Point can put this one away. It sure has been a long final quarter.
BJ — No, Devine is not subbing. Anson just won’t give up and this is a very talented team.
This one’s about over. Crumbley picked up a first down on third and 1. South Point can now run out the clock.
It’s over. South Point ran out the clock to close out its second Western title in seven years. Final score: South Point 35, Anson County 21.
South Point will play for the state title next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. Last I heard, South Johnston and Southern Nash were in overtime.
Time to interview. Thanks for following the blog. Be sure to check out the recap later tonight on gastongazette.com and VarsityNC.com.