Defense paves way for first round South Warren win
Published 10:17 pm Friday, November 8, 2024
South Warren senior Colton Veltkamp (3) defends Apollo junior Max Schtakleff (5) in the first round of the Class 5A 2024 finals on Friday at South Warren.
Apollo junior Max Schtakleff (5) is defended by South Warren senior Ayden Paige (21) in the first round of the Class 5A 2024 finals on Friday at South Warren.
Apollo freshman Tanner Wood (11) watches as South Warren senior Bryce Button (17) passes in the first round of the Class 5A 2024 finals on Friday at South Warren.
South Warren junior Jake Carter (6) and senior Bryce Button (17) celebrate after a touchdown against Apollo High School in the first round of the Class 5A 2024 finals on Friday at South Warren.
South Warren junior Aiden Fant (11) is defended by Apollo freshman Cason McLean (14) in the first round of the Class 5A 2024 finals on Friday at South Warren.
South Warren sophomores Xander Stanke (44) and Ryley Oller (23) and senior Brody Enslow (4) defend Apollo junior Carson Powers (9) in the first round of the Class 5A 2024 finals on Friday at South Warren.
South Warren sophomore Joseph Fentress (22) defends Apollo sophomore Eli Williams (3) in the first round of the Class 5A 2024 finals on Friday at South Warren.
South Warren junior Kayden York (2, left) is defended on a touchdown drive by Apollo junior Ayden Farris (2) in the first round of the Class 5A 2024 finals on Friday at South Warren.
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.
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
