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RACINE, Ohio — A nice way to spend homecoming.

The Southern football team hosted Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division foe Miller Friday night at Roger Lee Adams Memorial Field for the Tornadoes homecoming game. SHS compiled 407 yards on its way to a 49-6 win over the visiting Falcons.

Miller (1-6, 1-4 TVC Hocking) received the opening kick off and began driving on the Tornadoes (2-5, 2-3), making it down to the SHS 25 yard line before penalties and sacks halted the MHS drive.

Southern took possession of the ball for the first time at 5:57 mark of the first period on its own 27 yard line. On the third play of the drive tailback Tyler Barton took the ball off of the right tackle and through the Miller defense for a 52 yard touchdown run. On a fake field goal play Trenton Deem completed the pass to Dennis Teaford for the two-point conversion, putting the purple and gold on top 8-0 at the 4:38 mark of the first.

Just three plays into the Falcons’ next drive Garrett Sinift’s pass was intercepted by Southern freshman Tyler O’Conner, who returned it 27 yards for the touchdown. Deem added the extra point kick, putting SHS up 15-0 at the 3:28 mark of the first.

After forcing a three-and-out the Tornadoes offense came back on the field with 1:10 remaining in the first period. A five yard run between the tackles on first and goal gave Tyler Barton his second score of the game. Deems kick was good and Southern extended its lead to 22-0 at the 11:54 mark of the second canto.

O’Conner interrupted Miller’s offense again on the next drive, picking off his second pass of the game and giving the SHS offense the ball on the MHS 25 yard line. On the first play of the SHS drive Tristen Wolfe found O’Conner in the endzone for six points. Deem’s kick was good and Southern held a commanding 29 point lead with 10:33 remaining in the half.

The Tornadoes got the ball on the MHS 11 yard line to begin their next drive, but a holding penalty sent them back to the 22. on third down and long Wolfe completed a playaction pass to Jack Lemley for 22 yard touchdown. Southern’s drive that took 1:26 off the clock was capped off by Deem’s extra point kick.

Southern was driving again just before the half but an ineligible man down field cost Southern another score. The Tornadoes led 36-0 at halftime.

Southern got the ball after the half and picked up right where the offense left off before halftime. Five straight handoffs to Tyler Barton to begin the drive had the Miller defense up in the box. Wolfe rolled out of the pocket on third down from the 27 yard line and found Deem on a curl route near the left side line. Deem out ran the MHS defense and found paydirt for a 73 yard touchdown catch. The point after touchdown attempt failed and Southern led 42-0 at the 9:27 mark of the third period.

The third period ended with the score still 42-0 but the Falcons were in the middle of a drive. At the 11:02 mark of the third period Sinift completed a fourth down pass to Skyler Hook for the score from 24 yards out. The two point conversion attempt failed and Miller trailed 42-6.

With the game well in hand and just 20 seconds remaining Southern opted against running out the clock. Quarterback Theron Johnson completed a touchdown pass to Teaford to add to the Tornadoes already insurmountable lead. Deems kick was good and the Tornadoes took the 49-6 victory.

Tyler Barton led the Tornadoes with 165 yards and two TD’s on 20 carries, followed by Deem with five carries for 29 yards. Paul Ramthun had one carry for 23 yards, Thomas Ramthun had three carries for 20 yards, Wolfe ran four times for 15 yards and Ryan Billingsley ran three times for 10 yards. Jeremiah Warden had two carries for negative three yards.

Wolfe completed 3-of-7 pass attempts for 120 yards and two touchdowns for SHS, while Johnson connected on 2-of-2 pass attempts for 28 yards and a score.

Deem had one reception for 73 yards, O’Conner finished with two grabs for 47 yards and Teaford had two catches for 28 yards. All three SHS receivers had a touchdown grab.

Skylar Baker led Miller with 25 yards rushing on seven attempts, while Sinift was 8-of-18 threw the air with one touchdown, two interceptions, and 68 yards. Kody McKinnis led the Falcons with 6 grabs for 40 yards.

The Tornadoes out gained Miller in total yards 407-to-76, while holding a 10-7 advantage in first downs. Southern ran 38 times for 259 yards, while MHS ran 29 times for nine yards. SHS out-gained the Falcons 148-68 through the air. Miller had two fumbles on the night, however they recovered both of them. Both teams were penalized 11 times, Miller for 105 yards and Southern for 100 yards.

The 43 point margin of victory is the largest Southern has had since week four of the 2008 season when the Tornadoes defeated host Hannan 57-0.

The Southern victory snapped a four game skid, while this is Miller’s third straight loss.

The Tornadoes return to action next week as they travel to face (2-5, 1-4) Waterford. Miller will host (5-2, 4-1) Federal Hocking.