DUDLEY — The Southern Wayne Saints entered the season with plenty of momentum, opening the year 3-1, their best start in 15 years. On Friday night, the Saints battled through rain, thunder and a hard-fought contest against the Southern Nash Firebirds, but ultimately came up just short, falling 21-14.
Despite the loss, Southern Wayne showed plenty of fight throughout the game, responding to every Firebirds scoring drive and keeping the contest within reach until the final minutes.
Firebirds Strike First Before Weather Halts the Action
Southern Nash received the opening possession and quickly established its offense. The Firebirds put together a strong drive, finishing it with a touchdown run at the 6:35 mark of the first quarter to take an early 7-0 lead.
Southern Wayne was unable to respond on its first possession, going three-and-out. The Firebirds also failed to sustain their next drive, giving the Saints another opportunity.
The Saints began finding some rhythm on their next possession. No. 5 Jymerion Lee broke loose for approximately 12 yards and a first down, followed by a five-yard run from No. 12 Yakir Williams.
Southern Wayne continued moving the ball before Southern Nash came up with a big defensive stop at the line of scrimmage on fourth-and-3.
Just as the Saints prepared to go for it on fourth down, rain and thunder forced the game into a weather delay.
After approximately an hour, both teams returned to the field to resume play. Southern Wayne immediately went back to work, with No. 9 Mark Correll picking up a big first down before the first quarter came to an end.
Saints Answer With Fourth-Down Touchdown
Southern Wayne opened the second quarter with a one-yard run before another play resulted in no gain. On third down, No. 9 Mark Correll connected with No. 11 Jacari Ashby for approximately six yards, but the Saints faced another fourth-down situation.
With the offense needing a conversion, No. 9 Mark Correll kept the ball himself and raced for 10 yards and a first down.
The Saints continued to grind out yards but eventually faced another fourth-and-long. Southern Wayne elected to go for it, and No. 9 Mark Correll delivered a touchdown pass to No. 6 Ivory Moore at the 8:48 mark of the second quarter.
The extra point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Southern Nash with a 7-6 advantage.
Southern Wayne then came up with a big special-teams play. No. 15 Jayden Bond delivered a swift kick that was recovered by No. 4 Cam Mckinney, giving the Saints possession once again.
The Saints were unable to capitalize, however, eventually turning the ball over on downs.
Southern Nash took over at its own 46-yard line and began another drive. The Saints defense made several stops, including a tackle on the Firebirds’ No. 9 Lovelle White Jr. quarterback keeper.
Southern Nash eventually reached the red zone and finished the drive with a touchdown run by No. 23 DJ Baker at the 1:54 mark. The extra point was good, extending the Firebirds’ lead to 14-6.
Southern Wayne answered with a strong return by No. 4 Cam Mckinney, who brought the ball out to the 39-yard line. The Saints moved the ball before a late-hit penalty against Southern Nash gave them additional yardage.
The Saints were unable to finish the drive, turning the ball over on downs as the Firebirds took the 14-6 lead into halftime.
Saints Defense Rallies to Tie the Game
Southern Wayne came out of halftime with renewed energy. No. 21 Montrel Garner delivered a big hit on the Firebirds’ return, setting the tone for the Saints defense.
Southern Nash struggled to move the ball, with Southern Wayne recording several key stops. The Firebirds eventually faced fourth down, and after a timeout, their pass attempt was broken up by the Saints, resulting in a turnover on downs.
Southern Wayne took over at the 39-yard line and began putting together one of its strongest drives of the night.
No. 5 Jymerion Lee picked up a big first down, and a 15-yard penalty against the Firebirds moved the Saints even closer to the end zone.
With the ball at the 25-yard line, Southern Wayne continued pounding the run game. No. 0 Monte Kornegay picked up approximately three yards, followed by another two-yard gain. No. 20 Peter Stokes then moved the chains with a first-down run.
The Saints continued their march toward the goal line, with No. 0 Monte Kornegay carrying the ball down to the 1-yard line.
Then No. 9 Mark Correll finished the drive with a quarterback keeper for a touchdown.
Southern Wayne elected to go for two, and No. 9 Mark Correll successfully ran it in to tie the game at 14-14.
The Saints’ defense continued to answer the challenge on the next Firebirds possession. Southern Nash struggled to gain consistent yardage before a big sack by No. 54 Mike Domond helped force another turnover on downs.
Southern Wayne took over and continued to lean on its ground attack. No. 9 Mark Correll picked up a big first down, while No. 20 Peter Stokes powered through multiple Firebirds defenders on another strong run. No. 0 Monte Kornegay also moved the chains as the third quarter came to a close with the score tied 14-14.
Firebirds Score Late to Secure the Win
Southern Wayne opened the fourth quarter with a pass from No. 9 Mark Correll to No. 20 Peter Stokes for approximately 10 yards.
The Saints eventually attempted a field goal but were unable to convert, giving Southern Nash possession.
The Firebirds quickly went back to work, including a reverse play by No. 7 Trey Smith that resulted in a big first down. Southern Nash continued moving the ball deep into Saints territory.
Southern Wayne’s defense made another stop near the goal line, but the Firebirds eventually reached the 1-yard line and punched in a touchdown at the 3:18 mark of the fourth quarter.
The extra point gave Southern Nash a 21-14 lead.
Saints Make One Final Push
With the clock winding down, Southern Wayne refused to go away quietly.
No. 5 Josiah VanDunk opened the Saints’ final drive with a run of approximately four yards. After a timeout, the Saints continued their push from the 49-yard line, with No. 9 Mark Correll picking up a first down on a quarterback keeper.
Southern Wayne added another five-yard run and continued fighting with approximately 1:34 remaining.
After a Firebirds timeout, the Saints returned to the field looking to tie the game.
Southern Wayne’s first pass attempt fell incomplete. On third down, No. 9 Mark Correll attempted another pass, but the Firebirds intercepted the ball.
Southern Nash then went into victory formation, securing a 21-14 victory over the Saints.
Saints Show Fight Despite Setback
Southern Wayne’s 15-year milestone start remains an important early-season accomplishment, even with Friday night’s setback. The Saints battled through a lengthy weather delay, multiple fourth-down situations and a back-and-forth second half that saw the game tied at 14-14 entering the final quarter.
The Saints now look to regroup and continue building on their promising 3-1 start as they move forward with the remainder of the season ahead.