Slow start can't keep South Point from winning another Big South title as regular season comes to close
BELMONT – After failing to win its first legue title since 2006, South Point High’s football team was a third-place preseason pick in the Big South 2A/3A Conference race in a poll of rival coaches.
After losing two of its first three games – albeit to current unbeatens Crest and Shelby – many wondered what kind of success South Point might have in the 2015 season.
And, yet, as the regular season finale awaits the Red Raiders at home on Friday at 7:30 p.m. against nearby Stuart Cramer, they are right where they seem to always be – as a Big South champion.
“We’ve talked a lot lately about how it’s not about the opponent, it’s about us,” South Point coach Mickey Lineberger said. “Our goal is to keep improving, get that 10th win for a fifth straight season and do well in the playoffs.
“To do that, we’ve got to keep improving.”
At 8-2 overall and 6-0 in the league, South Point has already clinched its 21st conference title in the school’s 47-year history – and is a win over Cramer away from a 15th perfect league record. It’s the 12th Big South title in the league’s 15-year history.
“We’ve improved so much this year – in all phases,” Lineberger said.
None has improved more than senior quarterback Diontrea King, a wingback in 2013 as a sophomore who was ineligible to play last season.
King has rushed for 1,175 yards and 15 touchdowns – complementing fullback Ryland Etherton’s 1,277 yards and 21 touchdowns – and has improved in the passing as much or more. King has completed 22 of 54 passes for 369 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
“He’s always had that athleticism and ability,” Lineberger said of King. “He just needed the reps. He’s getting better with every game. He’s so much better than he was in Game One.”
Another group that’s shown improvement is South Point’s offensive line.
Seniors Jacob Justice (left tackle), Connor Owensby (center) and Matt Mallette (right guard), juniors James Granson (left guard), J.R. Scipio (tight end), sophomore Ethan Jackson (tight end) and freshman Larry Dowdy (right tackle) make up the unit.
“But we can’t stop improving,” Lineberger said. “The thing I can say about this group is they’ve come to practice every Monday ready to work for that week’s game. I expect that to continue.”
Richard Walker: 704-869-1841; twitter.com/jrwalk22