The Bloomington South Panthers have pulled off one of the greatest turnaround seasons in recent memory and for it has been rewarded with the MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week award.
Photo courtesy of Sandee Milhouse
It's not like these Panthers have been on the prowl for a playoff berth, let alone a state title.
But the
Bloomington South football team, winners of a total of 11 games against 39 losses the last five seasons combined, are 11-1 in the 2014 campaign and just one win from an appearance in the state finals.
Quarterback Bryce Stancombe has thrown 28
touchdown passes and just two interceptions.
Photo courtesy of Sandee Milhouse
Do these Panthers actually have a shot?
"When a team has not won for such a long time, you never know when you are going to get over the hump," Bloomington South coach Mo Moriarity said. "It has been very pleasing to have such a great year and to still be competing for a chance at a state title."
For their drastic turnaround, a 36-22 quarterfinal win over Terre Haute South Vigo and their 11-1 record, the Panthers are the MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week, presented by the Indiana Army National Guard.
In the quarterfinal win,
Richard Williams rushed 30 times for 212 yards and a touchdown and quarterback
Bryce Stancombe threw for 192 yards and three scores.
Two of those went to
Keenan Franz and one to
Carson Lien. It was the second win of the season over South Vigo, having won 55-35 on Sept. 26.
The team's explosive offense has piled up 494 points this season, led by Stancombe, who has completed 162 of 241 passes for 1,958 yards and 28 touchdowns with just two interceptions. That ratio isn't by accident.
"I have never had a quarterback or any player study film like Bryce does," Moriarity said. "He knows what the defense is going to do when the ball is snapped."
The Bloomington South defense has been stout all
year.
Photo courtesy of Sandee Milhouse
It helps to have a running back like Williams, who at 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds, isn't very big. But his numbers sure are. He's rushed 195 times for 1,595 yards and 18 touchdowns.
"Richard is extremely quick and strong," Moriarity said. "He has the ability to find an opening no matter how small and shoot through it."
Tabin Breedlove has rushed for 541 yards and eight scores. Franz has 67 catches for 881 yards and 16 touchdowns while Lien has 41 catches for 485 yards and five scores.
Defensively, sophomore
Sam Helm is tied for 14th in the state with 147 tackles (12.3 per game). Another sophomore,
Thomas Richardson, has 114 tackles.
It's quite unique to be led defensively by two sophomores. Moriarity said Helm and Richardson are two unique talents.
"Both are great football players and great young men," he said. "We are excited that we have them for two more years."
Other top defenders include
Tyler Richardson (93 tackles),
Ryan Freeman (95) and
Ty Love (88).
Thomas Henderson leads the team with six interceptions. The team has 19 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries overall.
Both are high numbers and they help to explain the team's drastic turnaround. The rest of it is explained on the inside, Moriarity said.
"We have been able to turn things around because our players have worked extremely hard," he said. "It has been a combined effort from many, including a strong parent group which has worked hard to improve our facilities."
Bloomington South running back Richard Williams has rushed for almost 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns while leading the Panthers into the state semifinals.
Photo courtesy of Sandee Milhouse
