Savage Heat stay undefeated

If you don't believe in global warming, go to Hot Springs on a Friday night and watch the Savage Heat football team. With a 64-6 win over Lima last Friday, the team sits at 6-0 for the season and has outscored their opponents by more than 200 points total. Hot Springs has scored 262 points and their five opponents this season (one win was due to a forfeit by Gardiner) have combined for just 51 points.

"We're definitely getting better," Coach Jim Lawson said over the weekend. "I like what I'm seeing."

Lima had just seven players in Hot Springs on Friday as they continue to work to rebuild their program. Coach Lawson noted that Hot Springs didn't get to run many plays in the first quarter as the team had three pick-sixes. Lima's first throw of the game was intercepted by Savage Heat junior Johnny Waterbury, who ran it back into the end zone. On Lima's next possession, they were forced to punt and David Chapman quickly ran into the end zone for another Hot Springs score.

Lima once again got the ball, but only for a second as senior Quincy Styles-DePoe tipped a pass and intercepted it, running it back for a touchdown and kicking the extra point to put Hot Springs up 22-0. The first quarter wasn't even half over.

Lima kept trying to pass the ball and Hot Springs' defense kept deflecting them, with freshman Ben Aldridge nearly getting an interception as well. On the next Hot Springs possession, Weston Slonaker had a nice long drive to get the team near the end zone, then ran it in for yet another score. Lawson said Styles-DePoe was on the sideline getting an ankle taped up so Waterbury took a shot at the extra point and his kick was good, giving Hot Springs a 30-0 lead.

The Hot Springs defense again pushed Lima back and forced the Bears to punt. As was becoming a habit during the game, the Savage Heat scored quickly, with quarterback Nick McAllister running in for a touchdown. The Savage Heat weren't letting up, however, and Waterbury got a second interception and ran in for a touchdown. Hot Springs had scored an impressive 46 points in less than 10 minutes as the clock still ticked in the first quarter.

With a running clock in the Savage Heat's favor, Lima senior quarterback Garet Lessley was able to run in for the only score of the game for the Bears and the first quarter ended 46-6.

Despite few players and being down 40 points, Lima put up a mighty effort the rest of the game. Hot Springs' starters got to rest a bit and the younger Savage Heat had a chance to work on their technique throughout the rest of the game. Aldridge stepped in as quarterback and threw a touchdown pass to Brighton Keller in the second, giving Hot Springs their only score of the quarter. Daniel Slonaker made it into the end zone in the fourth quarter and Aldridge ran it in right at the buzzer for the final score.

Lawson said his team is running the ball better this year. "Last year we were more of a passing team." He gave credit to starting quarterback Nick McAllister. "Nick being able to run the ball this year has really added another element to our game. He's kind of a dual threat now both running and passing," Lawson noted. The Hot Springs coach also said the Savage Heat have been focusing on trying to improve their kicking game. Styles-DePoe was 4-for-5 in points after touchdowns (PATs) against Lima, and Waterbury also was successful on one. "We're getting a lot more points out of that," Lawson stated. He added that Waterbury is starting to become a really good playmaker for the Savage Heat on both offense and defense.

Hot Springs has just two games left in the regular season and both are on the road. This Friday they head to Twin Bridges. A win at Twin Bridges would clinch a playoff spot for the Savage Heat.