By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
SAVANNAH - The Savannah football team scored 30 points in the second quarter and turned three first half turnovers by Lafayette into touchdowns, as the Savages (9-1) scored a 64-20 win over the Irish on Friday night in a Class 3 District 8 quarterfinal at Savannah High School.
Lafayette (0-10) got the ball to start the game and scored on just four plays. Sparked by a 32-yard rush from sophomore Tate Crabb, sophomore quarterback Antonio Williams found senior receiver Melik Reed on a 10-yard touchdown pass, putting the Irish ahead 7-0 with 10:19 left in the first.
Savannah struck back on its first series, marching 79 yards on nine rushing plays. Senior Alex Hopper finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, knotting the game at 7-7 with 6:31 left in the first.
"I thought we really settled in after that first drive and really took over the game," Savannah coach Anthony Hays said. "Honestly right now, it's just about winning and moving on."
Lafayette's offense had trouble moving the ball after that, with their next four drives ending in punt.
Savannah, in turn, put together a couple of touchdown drives late in the first quarter, thanks in part to short fields. Junior Cade Chappell gave Savannah its first lead with a 50-yard touchdown run, putting the Savages up 14-7 with 3:06 left in the first.
Before the first quarter ended, senior quarterback Ethan Dudeck took a deep shot and found junior receiver Zayden Snapp on a 45-yard touchdown reception. The Savages then successfully converted a two-point try, leading 22-7 at the end of one.
Lafayette junior Lucas Michel came up with an interception early in the second quarter, hoping to give the Irish a spark. Two plays later, Williams fumbled and Savannah sophomore Landon Noland returned the fumble roughly 40 yards, giving the Savages first-and-goal at the seven.
Two plays later, Hopper found the end zone for a second time on a nine-yard run, putting Savannah up 30-7 with 9:21 left in the second.
After another Lafayette punt, the Savages got another short field after Hopper returned a punt 49 yards, setting Savannah up at the Irish 32.
Just two plays later, Dudeck threw a quick slant to senior Bryce Stanley. Stanley weaved through traffic and scored from 27 yards out. The Savages led 37-7 with 6:52 left in the second.
Lafayette punted again and Savannah scored again. Freshman Aiden Knechtenhofer relieved Dudeck at quarterback and engineered a five-play, 59 yard drive. Knechtenhofer finished the drive himself with a seven-yard touchdown run, making the score 44-7 Savannah with 2:38 left until halftime.
Things got worse for the Irish. After achieving a pair of first downs, Williams threw an interception, which sophomore Cooper Swan returned the other way 64 yards for a pick-six, making it 51-7 with 1:16 remaining until halftime.
Savannah wasn't done. Lafayette lost another fumble, which was recovered by Savannah senior Jayce Brushwood.
Starting the drive at the Irish 25, the Savages scored three plays later. Junior Dom Kimler scored on a seven-yard touchdown run, putting Savannah ahead 58-7 at halftime.
The starters for Savannah rested in the second half, but the Savages added a touchdown with 5:56 left in the game. Sophomore Jackson Sigrist scored on a 30-yard run, putting Savannah's final tally to 64 points.
Dudeck didn't have to do much as Savannah's starting quarterback Friday. He completed 3-of-4 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
Chappell rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Hopper toted the rock six times for 45 yards and two scores. Knechtenhofer rushed for 81 yards on nine carries and a touchdown himself. Kimler added five carries for 49 yards and a score, too.
"The O-line up front, they don't get enough credit," Hopper said. "They do a lot. All of the playmakers and them, really special."
Lafayette scored on each of their last two offensive possessions. Williams completed a pair of touchdown passes to Ty Nance - one from 30 yards out in the third quarter and another from 16 yards out in the fourth.
Williams was 15-of-29 through the air for Lafayette, passing for 234 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Nance finished 58 yards receiving on three catches and the two scores.
Reed, in his final game for Lafayette, caught six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Savannah stays home next Friday to host Chillicothe in district semifinals. That game will start at 7 p.m. The game will be carried on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3). Chillicothe beat Benton Friday, 40-26.
That will mark the fifth home game in the last six weeks for Savannah.
"It's great to be here," Hopper said of his team's home field. "Our fans come out every game. They love supporting us. Just to play another one next week here, it's going to be rocking again."
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