Medlock takes the reins to SHS wing-T offense

PINETOWN — Bing Mitchell Stadium will be strewn with black, white, navy and teal tomorrow when the Northside Panthers and Southside Seahawks write another chapter in a 14-year-old novel.

Following a strong start to a season from both teams, one has succumbed to drastic defensive issues, including the inability to tackle in open space and force turnovers, while the other seems to be headed in the opposite direction, leaning on its offense to put up points and bail out an unpredictable front seven.

Southside is the latter, averaging more than 35 points a game on the back of its ground-and-pound wing-T attack, supported by a deep core of running backs. But tomorrow, head coach Jeff Carrow will be without an integral part of his offense, junior quarterback Johnny Sullivan, who suffered a fractured left arm on the final play of the half during last week’s 56-34 win over South Creek.

And while Sullivan’s season under center for Southside is likely over, another one is just beginning. Sophomore Marshall Medlock spent the offseason competing for the starting gig, but fell just short of his senior counterpart and resorted to holding the clipboard instead. Now, Medlock must assume the role of game manager, one that Sullivan executed to near perfection.

Medlock’s playing time has been limited to just a few snaps this season, but in the second half of last week’s game, he did a reasonable job limiting mistakes and even connected with junior Lawrence Brown on a 21-yard touchdown pass.

For Northside, senior quarterback Noel Howson is coming off a four-fumble game against North Pitt. Howson, a power runner who has shown he’s capable of operating his offense efficiently, has been unable to provide the spark head coach Keith Boyd is looking for of late. And the Panthers’ leading playmaker, senior tail back Rockne Butler, was held to under 40-yards rushing against North Pitt, though he had a solid game at linebacker.

But all the blame can’t be placed on the offense. So far, the story for Northside this season has been the defense, which after shutting out Creswell in the season opener has allowed more than 41-points per game.
In the first game between these rivals, Southside scored 32-unanswered points in the first half and handed Northside its first loss of the season via a 40-8 blowout. It’s a result Boyd hopes not to repeat.

Friday’s Anchor Bowl matchup also marks the first official Coastal Plains Conference game of the season for both teams — a clean slate for the Panthers and an opportunity to stay hot for the Seahawks.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.