GAME STORY: Defense helps Cougars cruise to win in league opener
CONCORD, N.C. – Five interceptions on the night helped the Cannon School football team earn a big 20-0 victory over SouthLake Christian at Randy Marion Field on Thursday night.
“I’m happy with the way our defense played tonight,” Cougars head man Brad Hoover said. “We gave up some yards we probably shouldn’t have, but whenever you pitch a shutout against a team that throws all over the place and has a mobile quarterback, like they do, it always makes you feel a little better.”
The Cannon secondary was not the only defensive unit giving the Eagles issues, though, as senior defensive lineman Drew Balsbough sacked quarterback Bailey Jones a whopping five times.
The offense, which was without dynamic starting running back Gabe Ortiz, also was impressive, accumulating more than 300 total yards in a game that was a defensive struggle most of the night.
“I’m very pleased with the guys who stepped in,” Hoover said, referencing the main two rushers, Connor Yang and Brandon Turner, who combined for 90 rushing yards.
The win was a big one for Hoover and his squad, as they opened their conference schedule with an impressive win.
RECORDS
SouthLake Christian 3-3, 1-1 Piedmont Conference; Cannon 4-2, 1-0 PC
THE PLAY OF THE GAME
Early in the second quarter, Cannon quarterback Chris Nelson threw a long ball over the middle to Will Exson. The pass was a bit behind him, but Exson was able to tip the ball up and bat it in the air three or four times before coming down with the 24-yard completion.
“All you can really see in that type of situation is the ball; you can’t really be worried about the defenders,” Exson said. “First responsibility is secure the ball and then make sure you tuck it in.”
The Cougars would score just three plays later to take a 14-0 lead.
PRIMETIME PERORMERS
SouthLake Christian:
- Jones was responsible for most of the Eagles’ offense, as he threw for 78 yards and ran for another 43, accounting for all but six of the team’s total yards.
- Beau Bullderick had an interception to prevent a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Cannon:
- Balsbough set a personal record for sacks in a game, as he brought down Jones five times.
- Yang not only had a rushing touchdown, but he also recorded an interception.
- Chris Nelson went 13-for-22 with 220 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 20 yards.
- Patrick Carlson, who went 2-of-3 on extra points, had a big game defensively, as he recorded three interceptions.
3 OBSERVATIONS
This game, which was moved up to Thursday in observance of the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, also had an early 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
- The Cannon student section, which dressed in neon colors, was unmissable.
- The Cougar defense forced four turnovers on downs, as it frustrated the Eagles offense all night.
WHAT’S NEXT?
SouthLake Christian has next week off, while Cannon travels to High Point Christian.
GAME SUMMARY
SouthLake Christian 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Cannon School 0 14 6 0 -- 20
CS – Brandon Turner 4 pass from Chris Nelson (Patrick Carlson kick)
CS – Connor Yang 4 run (Carlson kick)
CS – Will Exson 15 pass from Nelson (kick failed)
CONCORD, N.C. – Five interceptions on the night helped the Cannon School football team earn a big 20-0 victory over SouthLake Christian at Randy Marion Field on Thursday night.
“I’m happy with the way our defense played tonight,” Cougars head man Brad Hoover said. “We gave up some yards we probably shouldn’t have, but whenever you pitch a shutout against a team that throws all over the place and has a mobile quarterback, like they do, it always makes you feel a little better.”
The Cannon secondary was not the only defensive unit giving the Eagles issues, though, as senior defensive lineman Drew Balsbough sacked quarterback Bailey Jones a whopping five times.
The offense, which was without dynamic starting running back Gabe Ortiz, also was impressive, accumulating more than 300 total yards in a game that was a defensive struggle most of the night.
“I’m very pleased with the guys who stepped in,” Hoover said, referencing the main two rushers, Connor Yang and Brandon Turner, who combined for 90 rushing yards.
The win was a big one for Hoover and his squad, as they opened their conference schedule with an impressive win.
RECORDS
SouthLake Christian 3-3, 1-1 Piedmont Conference; Cannon 4-2, 1-0 PC
THE PLAY OF THE GAME
Early in the second quarter, Cannon quarterback Chris Nelson threw a long ball over the middle to Will Exson. The pass was a bit behind him, but Exson was able to tip the ball up and bat it in the air three or four times before coming down with the 24-yard completion.
“All you can really see in that type of situation is the ball; you can’t really be worried about the defenders,” Exson said. “First responsibility is secure the ball and then make sure you tuck it in.”
The Cougars would score just three plays later to take a 14-0 lead.
PRIMETIME PERORMERS
SouthLake Christian:
- Jones was responsible for most of the Eagles’ offense, as he threw for 78 yards and ran for another 43, accounting for all but six of the team’s total yards.
- Beau Bullderick had an interception to prevent a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Cannon:
- Balsbough set a personal record for sacks in a game, as he brought down Jones five times.
- Yang not only had a rushing touchdown, but he also recorded an interception.
- Chris Nelson went 13-for-22 with 220 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 20 yards.
- Patrick Carlson, who went 2-of-3 on extra points, had a big game defensively, as he recorded three interceptions.
3 OBSERVATIONS
This game, which was moved up to Thursday in observance of the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, also had an early 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
- The Cannon student section, which dressed in neon colors, was unmissable.
- The Cougar defense forced four turnovers on downs, as it frustrated the Eagles offense all night.
WHAT’S NEXT?
SouthLake Christian has next week off, while Cannon travels to High Point Christian.
GAME SUMMARY
SouthLake Christian 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Cannon School 0 14 6 0 -- 20
CS – Brandon Turner 4 pass from Chris Nelson (Patrick Carlson kick)
CS – Connor Yang 4 run (Carlson kick)
CS – Will Exson 15 pass from Nelson (kick failed)
