By By Robby Atkinson/special to The star
November 23, 2002
SILAS, Ala. Every football fan in the state of Alabama is gearing up for the annual Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa. In south Alabama fans got a small taste of great football as the Southern Choctaw Indians squared off with the Houston Academy Raiders. The Indians used an effective ground attack to go along with a great defensive showing to score the 21-0 shutout win in front on a packed house in Silas.
After a silent first period of play, the Indians got the offense going behind Joseph Dozier. Dozier collected 40 yards on seven carries to help the Indians reach the end zone for their first score. After a pair of short runs from Dozier inside the 10-yard line, quarterback Bernard McGrew did the honors on a 7-yard run to give the Indians a 7-0 lead with 5:56 remaining in the second quarter.
After the halftime break, Southern Choctaw went on their longest drive of the evening. The drive covered 64 yards that was capped off by a 3-yard plunge by Detric Causey to give the Indians a little breathing room at 14-0 with 6:43 left in the third quarter.
The Raiders went on offense and three plays into the drive, Terrell Johnson came up with a marvelous interception for Southern Choctaw to put the offensive unit back on the field with 5:09 remaining in the third period. The possession would be shortened by a great defensive stop by the Houston Academy that would force a Indian punt.
After an exchange of possessions to open the fourth quarter, Southern Choctaw put the final touchdown on the board on a 9-yard run by Causey that brought the score to 21-0 with 2:44 left in the game.
The Raiders made one final effort to put a score up, but the tough Southern Choctaw came up with an interception from Joseph Gibson to secure the 21-0 win over Houston Academy.
Southern Choctaw moves to an impressive 12-0 on the year and Houston Academy completes the 2002 campaign at 11-2. The Indians will hit the road next Friday night to meet Slocomb, a 19-13 winner over Washington County for the Alabama Class 2-A South State Championship.