After embarrassing Week 2 loss, South Brunswick retaliates with best defensive effort of the year
Picking up the pieces after blowing a 32-point lead is never easy, but nothing about the South Brunswick football team's road to success this fall will be.
Despite mounting a 44-12 lead in the third quarter against South Columbus last Friday, everything fell apart for the Cougars, who allowed 36 unanswered points in the devastating loss.
"It was heartbreaking, honestly," senior quarterback Jameson Prince said of the Week 2 loss. "I couldn't sleep the whole weekend, it's all I thought about."
South Brunswick responded to adversity Friday night against St. Pauls, sneaking past the 2A Robeson County school 26-21.
The win wasn't simply a nonconference victory but a test for a Cougars team that has endured a rollercoaster of triumph and defeat over the past two years.
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"We challenged (our defense) before the game to have some pride after the embarrassment we subjected ourselves to last week," South Brunswick coach Rocky Lewis said.
That challenge included going without linebacker and defensive leader Jack Earley, who tore his ACL in the Week 2 loss.
This time around, the defense won the game for South Brunswick as a fourth-quarter interception from defensive back Cooper Creel secured the victory.
"I knew they were going to pass," Creel said. "(I was thinking) I got to catch this, this is the game, that was my mindset."
While Week 2 might have been emblematic of the Cougars' biggest challenges this fall, Week 3 highlighted the team's ability to adapt, even without some of their best players.
Creating two turnovers on the night, including a 15-yard scoop and score from Grady Sotriffer, the team's defense, led by senior Zayne Simmons, overcame early shortcomings to secure the win.
"It feels great after what we accomplished in practice," Simmons said. "I think (the win) brings a whole lot of confidence."
Offensively, Prince scored three touchdowns, including a beautiful 15-yard scramble for six on fourth down. Running back Ethan Overton caught one touchdown on the night and reached the century mark in rushing yards.
The story surrounding the South Brunswick football team this fall isn't a new one. The challenges, strengths, and weaknesses are far from unique to Southport fans.
The ending to the story, however, could be written much differently in 2023, and Creel is confident the Cougars can make that a reality.
"I think (the win) really shows what we can do," Creel said. "People have to understand, we're not the biggest team, but I think we can hold our own and (we) showed that tonight."
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: South Brunswick defense bounces back in win over St. Pauls
