SULPHUR The impressive win streak continues for the Southside Sharks.
Southside defeated the Sulphur Tors 41-0in a District 3-5A contest on Friday night in Sulphur, running its win streak to five games in the process.
"This has been a progression," Southside coach Jess Curtis said. "Coming to a new place really magnifies that. It's been a simple progression for us. We installed a new defense, and it's doing the little things, and doing the things it takes to win, like protecting the football and moving the chains, and really feeling good about who we are."
The Sharks got on the scoreboard first at the 2:29 mark of the first quarter when Justin Williams scored on a 22-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.
Southside ran their lead to 14-0 at the 11:53 mark of the second quarter when quarterback Parker Dies scored on a long 48-yard touchdown run to make it a two-score lead.
The other Southside quarterback, Cruz Holden, got into the act at the 2:10 mark of the second quarter, scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 21-0 - a score that would hold up as the two teams headed for the halftime break.
"Both of our quarterbacks are playing really well," Curtis said. "They're making good decisions, and providing leadership, and the offensive line is playing really well in front of them."
The Sharks put the game out of reach at the 8:17 mark of the third quarter when Dies connected with McCain Weaver on a 31-yard touchdown pass to make it 27-0, before Dies added another touchdown - his third combined score of the night - with a 1-yard touchdown run at the 4:07 mark of the fourth quarter, which widened their lead to 34-0.
The final touchdown of the night came courtesy of the Southside defense when Cameron Allen returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown to make it 41-0 at the 1:31 mark of the fourth quarter - a score that would hold up as the Sharks cruised to the victory.
"We're trying to push the standard on defense," said Curtis. "This was the fourth shutout in school history, it's good to see our defense be successful. It's hard to get a shutout, especially in 5A football."
With the victory, Southside improved to 5-1 overall, and 3-0 in District play, while Sulphur fell to 3-4, and 1-3, respectively.
"I was proud of the focus that the kids had on the game. It wasn't perfect, but we played pretty well, and we got the win," Curtis said. "We have some things to work on, but this moves us down the line, keeps us undefeated in District, and potentially sets up some big games for us."
One of the big games for the Sharks will be next week, when they travel to take on the Acadiana Wreckin' Rams, in a District showdown.
"Week 8 is what it's going to be against a great football team, and it's an opportunity for us to measure ourselves against them (Acadiana)," Curtis said. "They went to the Dome last year, and we're excited to go against them and measure ourselves."