LONDON — Noah Ison rushed for 111 yards while South Laurel’s defense turned in a dominant second-half performance as the Cardinals opened their season with a 31-7 victory over Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Ison carried the ball 20 times to lead a South Laurel rushing attack that helped the Cardinals overcome an early hole and take control of the game.
“It’s always good to get a win in the opening game of the season,” South Laurel coach John Hines said. “Awfully proud of our team. We overcame a lot of adversity. Put ourselves in a hole early in the game, but we were able to battle back and play a really nice second half.”
Making his first start at quarterback, Maddox Warren completed 20 of 29 passes for 105 yards. Caleb Roark led the Cardinals with seven receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown, while Kenyon Ellis caught six passes for 35 yards.
“Maddox Warren played well in his first start at quarterback,” Hines said. “Noah Ison was dynamite running the football. We’re proud of our offensive line and the work that they put in — Skyler Troutman, Jacob Lawson, Brady Valentine, Gunner Queen and Gabe Pruitt.
“Some big catches by Brady Robinson, Kenyon Ellis and Caleb Roark kept drives alive.”
South Laurel’s defense also played a major role in the victory.
Hines praised the work of Gannon Bargo, Logan Webb and Tripp Taylor along the defensive line, along with Malachi Schmidt and Jonathan Inman. He also credited outside linebackers Davion Williams, Jackson Hart and Ross Ryser.
“We were stellar, especially in the second half,” Hines said. “Gannon Bargo, Logan Webb, Tripp Taylor, all playing on the defensive line, did a good job. Malachi Schmidt and Jonathan Inman did a good job as well, and the real plays were made by the outside linebackers — Davion Williams, Jackson Hart and Ross Ryser. Secondary played solid in the second half.”
The Cardinals also came up with game-changing plays on defense and special teams.
Roark scored a defensive touchdown on a fumble while Webb’s play on another fumble helped set South Laurel up with favorable field position. Wilkelver Gavairia provided a big kickoff return that also gave the Cardinals a short field.
“Caleb Roark made an incredible play to score a defensive touchdown on a fumble,” Hines said. “Logan Webb created a big play on a fumble return and set us up for short yardage. Wilkelver Gavairia had a great kickoff return to give us a short field.”
With the season-opening victory secured, Hines said the Cardinals will quickly turn their attention toward their next challenge.
“We were able to get a win to start the season,” Hines said. “Now we’ve got to go back to work and get ready for another opponent. Awfully proud of our coaches and our staff and everybody involved with South Laurel football.”
