Southern High?s football team is used to going into a game as the underdog.
As the only Class 2A school in Anne Arundel County, Southern faces teams from higher classifications practically every week during the season. In fact, the Bulldogs? 2006 schedule included five playoffs teams from the county.
Even after qualifying for the 2A playoffs, Southern entered each game as the underdog, including in last week?s 2A East Region championship against then-unbeaten Wicomico.
Things looked bleak for Southern, which trailed, 19-14, with less than three minutes remaining, before longtime coach Russ Meyers decided to pull out all the stops and called for a hook-and-ladder play.
The call worked to perfection, producing a game-winning 59-yard scamper by fullback Eric Foote. The 20-19 win propelled Southern into the state semifinals for the first time since 1993.
The Bulldogs (8-4) are now searching for their fifth win in a row when they face Edmondson (11-1) Friday night at Poly for the right to play in the state final.
“Playing the schedule we do is a great advantage for us because every game feels like a playoff game,” Meyers said.
Southern?s success has come mainly from its ability to defend and run the football. The 6-foot-1, 250-pound Foote, who can run the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds, is the team?s main offensive threat, having rushed for 1,030 yards and 14 touchdowns. In addition, Justin Chura has rushed for 605 yards and seven touchdowns, while Derrell Brown has chipped in with more than 400 yards on the ground.
Those three also provide key contributions on defense. Chura, a linebacker, leads the team with 109 tackles. Foote, also a linebacker, has more than 70 tackles, while Brown is a threat to come up with an interception at any time.
“Eric has stepped up his level of play the last few weeks, but we are far from a one-man team,” said Meyers, who is in his 11th year as head coach at the Harwood school. “These guys believe they can win ballgames, and they come up with big plays when they have to.”
SOUTHERN NOTES
» Prior to upsetting previously unbeaten Wicomico in the regional finals, Southern knocked off another Eastern Shore team when it defeated Queen Anne?s, 20-12, in the semifinals.
» This year represents Southern?s fourth playoff appearance in the last five seasons and the first time the Bulldogs have advanced past the first round in that span.
» Fullback Eric Foote is considered a solid Division I-AA recruit, with Towson and James Madison among the schools interested in him.
