Defense paves way for first round South Warren win

Published 10:17 pm Friday, November 8, 2024

By JAKE MCMAHON / For the Daily News

South Warren used 38 unanswered first-half points and a strong defensive performance Friday night to propel itself to a 38-7 win over Apollo in the first round of the Class 5A state football playoffs.

“We came out, executed early, started fast and then did a good job of keeping the foot on the gas and not letting up,” South Warren coach Brandon Smith said.

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Defense led the way for South Warren, allowing only 65 passing yards and six rushing yards to the Eagles. The Spartan defensive front had eight sacks in the game.

“That’s a good offensive team. I think the quarterback is really good, they got some playmakers, but our defensive line was able to disrupt his timing,” Smith said. “They (the defense) executed like they were supposed to.”

Senior defensive end Colton Veltkamp got to the quarterback five times and was a big part of the Spartans’ third straight game allowing seven or less points.

“I’m really only able to do it because some of my guys in the middle take up blocks and it allows me to have a chance to get some sacks,” Veltkamp said. “That quarterback’s a really good player and I got a little bit lucky to get there a few times, but it was good to get him down a few times too.”

Veltkamp also made his impact on the other side of the ball, catching one of two touchdown passes from senior quarterback Bryce Button. Button went 14- of-17 passing for 174 yards along with the two scores. Juniors Jake Carter and Kayden York helped carry the load on offense, tallying 71 and 34 receiving yards respectively. York also picked up 54 yards rushing, giving him 117 total yards on the night.

“Kayden’s kicked it up a notch the last couple weeks and we need him to, and I thought Jake Carter came in and did some good things at running back as well,” Smith said. “Offense, run (and) pass I thought we executed.”

South Warren will continue its playoff campaign next Friday as the Spartans take on Graves County.

“Our team has really good chemistry right now, we’re playing well together. I’m excited moving forward,” Veltkamp said

AHS 0 0 7 0 — 7

SWHS 17 21 0 0 — 38 

First Quarter

SWHS — Colton Veltkamp 2 pass from Bryce Button

SWHS — Kayden York 1 run

SWHS — Allen Alic 17 field goal

Second Quarter

SWHS — York 10 run

SWHS — Jake Carter 11 run

SWHS — Carter 20 pass from Button

Third Quarter

AHS — John Milburn 31 pass from Maxell Johnson

About Jeff Nations

Sports Editor, Bowling Green Daily News

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