Roger Whitehead
CLIMAX — Using its trademark ball-control offense and a stout defense, Providence Grove High School downed visiting Randleman 34-7 in prep football last week.
The victory enabled the Patriots to stay unbeaten at 4-0 while the Tigers, 0-4, are still searching for their first win.
Providence Grove reached the scoreboard in all four quarters, rolling up more than 400 yards in total offense and 25 first downs. The Patriots used seven ball carriers in posting 394 rushing yards.
An early first-period drive, capped off by a 24-yard scamper to paydirt by QB Richard Shuping, gave Providence Grove a 7-0 lead. The drive was set up by a fumble recovery by Patrick Dawes. The PAT kick by Alex Suarez gave the Patriots a lead they never relinquished.
In the second quarter, Providence Grove increased its lead to 14-0 as Simeon Milliner broke free off right end, sailed up the middle and into the endzone on a 12-yard run. That completed a 81-yard, seven-play drive that began on the PG 19 yard line when Zach Cannon intercepted a Randleman pass.
The Tigers answered by capturing their lone score of the night, marching 67 yards in six plays behind the passing of QB Kyle Farlow. TJ Simmons scored on a one-yard plunge with 8:57 left in the first half. Jacob Bishop added the point after to cut the lead to 14-7.
Providence Grove bounced back, with Andricus Harris taking the ensuing kickoff back 22 yards to the Patriot 31. Eight plays later Shuping raced off right end on the misdirection play, found himself clear and went untouched into the endzone from seven yards out. The PAT kick failed but PG enjoyed a 20-7 advantage at the intermission.
A 20-yard run by Harris had ignited the march, and Shuping had notched a 12-yard run to the Tiger 13.
“We played well on both sides of the ball,” said PGHS Head Coach Todd Shuping. “Our line was controlling the line of scrimmage.”
That same style of play continued in the second half as the Patriots dominated the action and the clock.
Taking over on it own 20 to start the third quarter, PG used its ball control, misdirection offense on a time-consuming march. Zeb Milliner capped it off on a 20-yard burst around end nearly seven minutes and 14 plays later. The Suarez PAT kick stretched the lead to 27-7 with 5:07 left in the period.
Randleman kept knocking on the door, moving the ball via the airways, but mistakes hurt the Tigers. The Patriot defense dug in, picked off two more interceptions and forced a punt.
Another interception led to the final Providence Grove touchdown as Riley Comer picked off a Farlow attempt at the Patriot 31.
Five plays later QB Shuping clicked with Ryan Powell at the Randleman 5 and the senior took it in to climax a 28-yard scoring play.
Earlier, Shuping had hit Powell on a 44-yard strike for a first down at the Randleman 20 before a penalty set PG back. The Suarez kick increased the bulge to 34-7 with 5:20 remaining in the game and the Patriot defense took care of the rest.
This Friday it will be a battle of unbeatens as 4-0 Northwood invades Providence Grove for a 7:30 p.m. nonconference showdown.
