Lawrenceburg's rushing attack, defense too much for gritty Southridge in regional football
HUNTINGBURG, Ind. – Southridge football coach Scott Buening stood at Raider Field in August with a proclamation.
There would be no secrets with this team. No blue-chip recruits. Just a tough, hard-working group hungry for success. But Buening was also clear where his belief of this program stood: “I do think we have enough talent to compete with anybody.”
That was before the season started.
Three months later, is anybody disagreeing? Because if this season taught us anything, it’s that Southridge football is still Southridge football.
More:Evansville-area high school football regional scores
The No. 10 Raiders lost in the regional round of the IHSAA state tournament. No. 9 Lawrenceburg, powered by explosive runs and smothering defense, prevailed 31-7 on Saturday to win its first regional title since 2016.
Southridge finished 11-2 this season.
“I think these guys epitomized everything we want and believe our program is about,” said Buening. “They don’t care about stats or social media or to promote their own brand. They’re blue-collared guys. They’re tough, hard-nosed and will fight you tooth and nail.”
Why did this season matter in the big picture? Because the Raiders endured a puzzling 5-5 campaign last fall, far below the standards set by Buening and those who came before him. Most of those contributors returned with something to prove.
The results speak loudly: Another Pocket Athletic Conference division title and the fourth sectional title in six years. Southridge also won double-digit games for the sixth time since Buening took over in 2013.
The Raiders didn’t wilt against a talented opponent. They led a possible state champion – Lawrenceburg (12-1) will be favored against Monrovia (6-7) next week to advance to Lucas Oil Stadium – at halftime. Southridge had an opportunity.
“We knew we’d have to take some chances,” said Buening. “We’ve had to do that most of the year. That’s been the resilience of this team all year. That’s what they’ve done.”
Where this game was decided is simple: Southridge couldn’t run the ball, while Lawrenceburg flourished on the ground.
The Raiders were limited to 64 yards on 29 touches, well below their season average. Part of it was by design – Buening knew the offense needed success through the air to hold off a talented defensive front – but also a credit to the opponent. The Tigers haven’t allowed more than seven points since Sept. 2 with seven shutouts.
Lawrenceburg only attempted four passes. There was no need to throw it when the run game was this explosive. Alex Witte totaled 248 yards and three touchdowns. Teagan Bennett added another 152 and a fourth-quarter score.
“We had a really hard time running the football,” said Buening. “We only had so many tricks up our sleeve. They were very athletic and able to get a lot of pressure. The Witte kid is a tremendous athlete. We’ve seen what he did tonight in near every game they’ve played.”
Southridge had a strong showing in the first half. Following an 83-yard touchdown by Witte, the Raiders answered two plays later with a 68-yard reverse field screen to Reid Schroeder. They led 7-6 at halftime with two other drives stalling near the red zone.
The championship was won on a five-play sequence midway through the third quarter. Witte torched the Raiders with a 50-yard run to give the Tigers a lead. Lawrenceburg intercepted Hudson Allen on the next offensive play – the ball was tipped near the line – and returned it to the 1-yard line. Witte scored three plays later.
Lawrenceburg trailed 7-6 with seven minutes left in the third. It led 21-7 with 4:47 on the clock.
“In tournament games, it’s a couple of plays like that,” said Buening. “Those two home runs (Witte) hit were huge. We needed some things to go right tonight. That sequence was really tough to overcome.”
Southridge graduates 12 seniors including its top two rushers and three of its top four tacklers. Allen, a junior, was 10 of 20 passing for 168 yards and two interceptions. Lawrenceburg had lost to PAC opponents in the regional the previous three years.
Buening let his emotions show in the postgame huddle. The tears weren’t for the loss but for seeing this group, notably the senior class, play for the final time. Following the program’s lowest win total in 16 years, the Raiders bounced back.
Southridge continues to compete for championships. Last year was the outlier.
“It hasn’t been as easy as it looked,” said Buening. “Our guys are just resilient. We couldn’t ask for anything more than what they got out of themselves and what they brought to this team.”
Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Indiana high school football: Lawrenceburg vs Southridge, IHSAA scores
