Southwind soccer’s Jordan Daniels had desires of an enormous play, however issues appeared a nightmare to start with.
Standing on the muddied 5-yard line, receiving a kickoff after Briarcrest tied Southwind at 28-28 within the third quarter, the ball slipped by means of the senior’s palms. Within the frantic moments as he grasped maintain of the soccer, soaked by the rain, he glanced up and locked eyes with coach Jerome Griffin.
The eyes staring again at him advised him one factor.
“I checked out my coach’s eyes, and I simply knew I needed to rating it,” Daniels mentioned.
Soccer firmly inside his grip, Daniels wove by means of the site visitors, breaking Briarcrest tackles to finally run free for a 95-yard kickoff return landing with seconds left within the third quarter. The rating, adopted by an ensuing defensive turnover on downs, was instrumental as Southwind secured an exhilarating 48-42 house victory on Sept. 25 over Briarcrest (4-2) in Week 6 of the TSSAA soccer season.
“That was actually large,” Griffin mentioned. “We had a turnover and bought that kickoff return for a landing, and that basically was the sport. He made some large performs tonight. He is explosive.”
Within the earlier month earlier than Southwind’s (6-0) assembly with Briarcrest, the Jaguars hadn’t allowed a single level, outscoring opponents 187-0 within the earlier 4 video games. Saints quarterback Hudson Tucker modified that, although, because the senior completed the night time 18-of-35 passing for 239 yards and 5 touchdowns.
When Griffin wanted to alter issues defensively following Daniels’ rating, he turned to an unconventional supply — his personal quarterback in Kelvin Perkins. Perkins, the 2023 Class 5A Mr. Soccer, entered at security and made two large performs, tackling Tucker on a third-down run, and stopping JD Donaldson behind the road on fourth down.
“I am a ball participant,” Perkins mentioned. “I am prepared for any second, anyplace on the sector. Like they are saying, big-time gamers make big-time performs. I am not afraid to stay my nostril in on fourth down.”
Again with the ball within the fourth quarter, Daniels prolonged Southwind’s result in 42-28 with a 1-yard landing run, breaking the streak of buying and selling touchdowns in a recreation that featured three ties.
“I dream of those moments,” Daniels mentioned. “Huge video games like this, that is what I am made for. We fought for that W tonight.”
Perkins completed with 4 tackles on protection, and on the offensive aspect of the ball, he was 11-of-15 passing for 139 yards and two touchdowns, together with a surprising seize from senior Tray Moore. Perkins additionally carried the ball eight instances for 93 yards and a TD.
Why shut victory is necessary for Southwind soccer’s future
Southwind is aware of it has one thing particular. Griffin is aware of it. His gamers comprehend it. However the workforce’s objective of a primary state title recreation continues to be a lot far-off. In this system’s 18-year historical past, the workforce has by no means superior previous the state semifinals, which it did in Class 5A in 2023. Now, although, the workforce is in Class 6A.
“I believe that is gonna humble us,” Griffin mentioned. “I believe we thought we had been higher than what we had been. I believe this may floor us for these subsequent 4 video games.”
Penalties and protection lapses plagued Southwind’s offense and protection, however time and time once more, the offense responded with explosion. Of the workforce’s seven touchdowns, three had been performs of over 40 yards, and Perkins additionally had a 17-yard dashing rating. Jontae Alexander led receivers with 65 yards and a landing (a 47-yarder) on three catches.
“We all know once we face adversity, we simply gotta stick collectively,” Daniels mentioned. “We all know what we will do. Cannot no person beat us however us.”
Wendell Shepherd Jr. is The Business Attraction’s highschool sports activities beat author. Attain Wendell at wendell.shepherd@commercialappeal.com or on X @wendellsjr_.
