Simpson overpowers Trinity to take South State

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas

The top ranked Simpson Cougars had listened all week about how difficult it was going be containing second ranked Trinity’s skill players and many football gurus predicted Simpson’s season would end last night. All that seemed to have just added fuel to an already motivated Simpson squad as they produced their best defensive performance of the season and rolled up 256 rushing yards en-route to a 23-7 win over Trinity to claim the Class AA South State title before a wild and enthusiastic home crowd last night.
With the win Simpson improves to 13-0 and will face River Oaks, the defending Class AA champions, who defeated Marshall last night 28-22 to win the North State crown. Simpson will be looking to win their fifth state championship and fourth in the last nine years while River Oaks hopes to win the school’s third state crown.

(Above) Simpson quarterback Brandon Johnston (#4) surveys the field in the first half

The Simpson defense did what Centreville couldn’t last week against the explosive Trinity Saints, they forced a quick three and out on Trinity’s first offensive possession of the night.

The Cougars managed to net 36 yards on their first possession before stalling out at the Trinity 47 yard line and having to punt.

With Trinity setting up shop at their own 20 yard line the game’s first turnover occurred as junior defensive back Josh Hankins picked off a Scott Turner pass at the Simpson 43 yard line with 7:55 remaining in the opening quarter of play.

Simpson promptly moved to the Saint’s 16 yard line on two Cade Eiland runs and a 35 yard connection from quarterback Brandon Johnston to Joshua Broadhead but the drive would stall as Trinity’s defense stiffened. Simpson got on the board first as junior Michael Layton was true on a 35 yard field goal at the 5:18 mark to give the Cougars a 3-0 lead.

That lead was erased quickly as Trinity displayed their fast strike capability. On  2^nd and 10 Scott Turner hit wide-out Tip McKenzie on a short route in the middle of the field and McKenzie turned on the jets as he silenced the Simpson home crowd with a 62 yard touchdown. Jake Winston tacked on the PAT to give Trinity a 7-3 lead with 4:48 left in the quarter.

Simpson hit back three minutes into the second quarter. The Cougars went 55 yards in five plays to regain the lead for good. Cade Eiland went off right guard for a quick 15 yards to the Trinity 30 and quarterback Brandon Johnston followed with a 14 yard run of his own to advance the line of scrimmage to the Saint’s 17 yard line. Eiland then set the table for the go ahead score as the tailback plowed his way to the Trinity 1 yard line. Johnston did the honors as the senior went in from one yard out at the 9:15 mark of the second quarter. Robert Berry added the PAT to give Simpson a 10-7 advantage.

(Above) Simpson quarterback Brandon Johnston hands off to tailback Cade Eiland 

Simpson’s defense appeared to gain strength on each Trinity possession and it was apparent after the Cougars took a 10-7 lead. Trinity quarterback Scott Turner saw that first hand as the senior tried to get the Saint’s air assault in gear but Simpson defensive linemen Caleb Mullins and Mason Fewell made that impossible as the two seniors each recorded a sack on Turner to force a three and out and a Jake Winston punt.

Neither squad mounted a threatening drive for the remaining six minutes of the half and Simpson took a 10-7 lead into the locker-room.

Defense was the story of the third quarter as both teams forced the other into multiple three and outs.
Trinity replaced quarterback Scott Turner with Tip McKenzie in an attempt to gain momentum but on Trinity’s first possession of the fourth quarter McKenzie was picked off by Josh Hankins at the Simpson 32 yard line.

The interception proved costly as Cade Eiland went around the left edge on first down and exploded with a 68 yard touchdown run. Robert Berry’s PAT went wide left but with 10:08 remaining Simpson had taken a 16-7 lead and a ton of momentum along with it.

(Above) Simpson defensive lineman Caleb Mullins (#74) wraps up Trinity's Scott Turner

With Turner back under center Trinity still had no answer for the defensive pressure of Simpson. Turner was under constant pressure and had little time to survey the field. Facing a critical fourth and eight from midfield Turner was intercepted again, this time senior defensive back Garrett Taylor who returned it to the Trinity 14 yard line.

Five consecutive Cade Eiland rushes set up Simpson with a second and goal from the Trinity one yard line where with 5:04 remaining in the game quarterback Brandon Johnston powered his way into the endzone. Robert Berry’s PAT increased Simpson’s lead to 23-7 and increased the level of excitement amongst the huge home crowd.

With 2:27 remaining Simpson defensive back Josh Hankins sealed the deal as the junior picked off his third pass of the night and the Cougars would run out the clock to capture the Class AA South State championship.

Cade Eiland rushed for 208 yards on 33 carries and a touchdown to lead Simpson to their 13^th win. Quarterback Brandon Johnston rushed for 41 yards on 12 carries and 2 touchdowns and passed for 73 yards on the night.

Simpson’s defense produced four interceptions, four sacks, four pass deflections and held Trinity to 32 rushing yards and only 8 pass completions on the night. Defensive lineman Caleb Mullins had 3 sacks and Mason Fewell had 1. The Cougars defense also forced five Trinity three and outs and held the Saints on two fourth down attempts.

Simpson’s offense accounted for 329 yards on the night.

Trinity finishes the 2011 campaign at 11-3.
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.Post Game: Simpson head coach Billy Wayne Hankins and senior tailback Cade Eiland

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