Photo by Larry Bale - South Bend quarterback Drew Rose hurdles for a negated TD that was flagged for hurdling as the defender was not on the ground.
SOUTH BEND - South Bend ended its gridiron season on a positive note by dumping winless North Beach 26-8 before a homecoming crowd of about 350 Friday night at Millam Field. After the game, Joshlynne Johnson was crowned SBHS Homecoming Queen.
"The North Beach game was a great way to end the season," SBHS head coach Shane Byington told the Herald. "To finish with a win is well deserved for the kids. They have been working hard all season. The players have been improving everyday; so to see them rewarded with a victory is great. This group of players will be remembered as special. They were competitive, tough and a fun group to coach."
The game was scoreless after the first quarter. South Bend quarterback Drew Rose scored on a 3-yard run in the second quarter for a 6-0 halftime lead.
"The first half was close," Byington said. "We missed a couple of chances to score. Dropped passes and penalties stalled our drives. North Beach proved to be competitive, but our defense was playing great. The second half we were able to finish our drives and secure the game."
In the third quarter, the Indians went up 12-0 when Chase Flynn caught caught a 12-yard pass on a right-in pattern on the left side from Drew Rose.
The Hyaks got back into the game on a 1-yard plunge up the gut by fullback Marcus Pope. Pope scored the 2-pointer over the left side and the Tribe led 12-8.
The Indians scored at the third quarter horn when Rose hooked up with Logan Stamos from 12 yards away on a left-in pattern. Preston Lawhead scored the 2-point conversion for a 20-8 edge.
Logan Stamos intercepted a pass early in the fourth quarter. The Tribe closed out the scoring at the 1:03 mark when Rose passed to Stamos from 20 yards out on the left side of the end zone.
North Beach's Patrick Heyd made a nice kickoff return down the left sideline for a touchdown; however, it was called back because of a penalty.
Rose completed 9 of 19 passes for 112 yards and 3 touchdowns and an interception.
"On offense, Drew Rose played probably his best game at quarterback," Byington said. "His decisions were good and his passes were on the mark."
Chase Flynn led the Tribe in rushing with 80 tough yards on 17 carries. Flynn also nabbed 3 passes for 27 yards and a TD. Stamos caught 3 passes for 33 yds and 2 touchdowns. Hunter Clements received a pass, good for 36 yds.
South Bend outrushed North Beach 141 to 117.
"Jaxon Jett and Max Richter blocked excellent on the offensive line," Byington added.
"Returning from a game one injury, Mayson Estle played great at safety," Byington said. "Jacob Lush played tough on the defensive line."
Rose racked up a dozen tackles, including 6 solo efforts. Estle totalled 7 tackles (4 solos) and Lawhead had 7 stops with 5 assists. Flynn made 6 tackles (3 solos), including 3 for loss and 1 sack. Clements was good for 6 total tackles.
Cody Jones returned 2 punts for 47 yards.
The Indians outgained the Hyaks 229 to 156. The Tribe ran 68 plays and NB had 55. Both teams committed only one turnover. North Beach was penalized 9 times for 71 yards and South Bend was flagged 14 times for 65 yds.