Football: South Lakes 21, Madison 14

The Warhawks boasted the best defense in the region, Division 5 or 6.

But it was the Seahawk defense, especially in their own half of the field, which lifted the visitors to victory in the Battle of Birds that Don’t Exist, 21-14.

Though Madison had 13 first downs to South Lakes’ nine, it was limited to one offensive touchdown and had three drives of longer than 3 minutes, 56 seconds that resulted in zero points.

That includes a 16-play, first-half drive that drained 8:47, spanned two quarters and ended with a punt.

“We told the boys all week that they’ve got to stop five plays,” said Ellenberger, whose defense held the Warhawks to 2.33 yards per rush in the first half. “We gave them a couple assignments and they did that. They did what we asked them to do on defense.

“The inside backers have got a job, the outside backers have got a job and the d-line has got a job. They all did their job today.”

Add the Seahawks’ leading rusher to that list.

Junior tailback Ja’Juan Jones scored all three South Lakes touchdowns, including a 59-yard streak with 9:46 remaining, which proved the game-winner.

“When I get the ball, I trust my offensive line,” said Jones of his 59-yarder, his eighth rush of 40 yards or more in six games. “I know as soon as I see a hole, they’re going to open it up for me and it’s just daylight.”

Jones’ dash lifted South Lakes (5-1, 4-0 Liberty) to its first win over Madison (3-3, 1-2) since 2002.

That was also the last time the Seahawks’ were over .500 this late in the season. It was also the last time they won the region.

To contend for a title this year — South Lakes currently sits third in PowerPoints in Divison 5, Madison seventh — it needs to avoid the injury bug.

That insect continues to infect the Warhawks.

Two-way starter Will Cybulski tore his ACL before the season, senior linebacker Eric Leeson missed the first two weeks, senior tackle Charlie Gilbert missed his second-straight game with a concussion, senior two-way lineman Jack Rowe missed the first month with a shoulder injury and senior running back Denis Vasic saw his first action of the year Saturday since dislocating his kneecap in the preseason.

As if that weren’t enough, junior tight end C.J. Keliher suffered an injury to his left wrist on a nine-yard carry in the third quarter and left the stadium.

“We’ve got Ja’Juan at fullback, Darius [Smith] at slot and Stepfon [Sanford] at slot. We’ve got a couple kids banged up. Bobby Lewis, who was a starter for us, went down,” sixth-year coach Ellenburger said. “If we can stay healthy, we feel like we can make a run in the region. But [the key] is going to be health, there’s no question about that.