Simpson holds on to defeat Lamar

Southern Sports & Travel

Football can sometimes be a game of inches and when Danny Weisner’s fourth quarter 33 yard field goal attempt went narrowly wide right it would ultimately prove to be the difference in Simpson defeating Lamar 17-14 last night in a smash-mouth battle between two top five teams.

Tailback Daniel Taylor pounded out 174 yards and 2 touchdowns and the Cougar defense forced 4 first half turnovers as Simpson improved to 7-1. The win also enabled Simpson to leapfrog top ranked Centreville in the all-important power point rankings.

With two district games remaining on their schedule, Simpson could nail down the top seed and secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs by winning out in a home game against Hartfield and at Central Hinds in two weeks and should Centreville slip up at Oak Forest to close out the regular season in two weeks.

Last night’s win over Class AAA fourth ranked Lamar would turn out to be the most physical of the season for a Simpson program that prides itself on power football.

“They (Lamar) by far were the most physical defense we’ve played,” said Simpson head coach Winston Mullins. “Give them credit, their defense is really, really good.”

Simpson tailback Daniel Taylor echoed that sentiment. “This was one of the most physical games I’ve ever played in,” said Taylor.

Simpson would strike first with an 8 play, 62 yard drive on their second offensive possession of the night.

Daniel Taylor burst through the middle of the Lamar defense for a 9 yard score with 5:21 remaining in the opening quarter of play to cap the drive. Andrew Berry’s PAT gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead.

Lamar would struggle offensively in the first half.

On the Raider’s possession following the Simpson score, Lamar would commit their first of four first half turnovers.

Davis Harrison connected with tailback Dalton McHenry for a short gain but McHenry coughed up the football and Colt Barron of Simpson would recover at the Cougar 37 yard line.

Lamar’s defense wasted little time in regaining possession as senior linebacker Shane Blanton picked off a Mason Herrin pass at the Simpson 46 yard line with 4:05 left in the quarter.

Lamar capitalized on the turnover and in short order.

Joseph Marcello connected with Lee Martin on a perfectly executed 46 yard halfback pass play on the Raiders first play following the turnover. Danny Weisner’s PAT knotted the contest at 7-7 with 3:55 remaining in the first quarter.

Simpson would answer.

Daniel Taylor’s second touchdown of the night finished off an 8 play, 80 yard drive in which the senior tailback carried the football six times, the last a 7 yard jaunt to put Simpson back on top with 11 seconds left in the quarter. Andrew Berry drilled the PAT to give Simpson a 14-7 edge, one they would ultimately take into halftime.

Simpson opened the second half with an Andrew Berry 49 yard kick-off return to set the Cougars up at the Lamar 46 yard line.

Berry would nail a 40 yard field goal 12 plays later as Simpson extended their lead to 17-7 while at the same time chewing up 6:22 of clock time to open the half.

Lamar’s offense moved into scoring position to start the fourth quarter as freshman quarterback Davis Harrison spearheaded the threat.

Harrison’s last second option pitch to tailback Sam Vaughn on a 3^rd and 6 at the Lamar 37 yard line energized the Raiders as Vaughn would ramble for a 13 yard pick-up to midfield.

Harrison would then hook up with wide-out Danny Weisner for a 30 yard strike to the Simpson 20 yard line but the Raider drive would stall out when Weisner’s 33 yard field goal attempt went wide right by inches with 10:25 left in regulation.

Lamar hit pay-dirt two possessions later when senior tailback Lee Martin bulled his way in from 13 yards out to put the finishing touches on a 6 play, 70 yard drive with 51 seconds left in the contest. Weisner’s PAT pulled Lamar to within a field goal at 17-14 and set the stage for an onside kick.

Weisner’s perfectly placed kick to the left side of the Simpson return team ricocheted off a Cougar player and was recovered by Lamar at the Simpson 46 yard line with 46 seconds left in regulation.

Davis Harrison hit Lee Martin for a quick 9 yards to the Simpson 37 but Lamar’s efforts to advance into field goal range fell short as Simpson senior defensive lineman Triston Shivers sacked Harrison four plays later as time expired to end the contest.

“This was a very important game for us because of power points and getting the top seed for the playoffs,” said Daniel Taylor. “We can’t lose focus over the next two weeks.”

Taylor finished the night with 174 yards on 31 carries and 2 touchdowns and 5 tackles on defense.

“Daniel has been a workhorse all year for us,” said Winston Mullins.

Andrew Berry picked up 26 yards on the ground to go along with solid special teams play.

On defense senior defensive lineman Chase Ainsworth had 5 tackles, a fumble recovery and a sack.

Colt Barron, a junior defensive back, recorded 4 tackles and a fumble recovery and both Cade Caughman and Kolby Burton picked off a Lamar pass.

Simpson improves to 7-1 and will host District 4-AA foe Hartfield next week.

Lee Martin led Lamar with 41 yards rushing and a touchdown along with a receiving touchdown.

Davis Harrison rushed for 37 yards and had 131 passing yards.

Lamar falls to 6-2 and will travel to Presbyterian for a huge District 2-AAA matchup next week. 

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Post Game with Simpson Head Coach Winston Mullins