Southern Gap’s young football program reached another milestone Friday night — and did it with an offensive performance that will be difficult to forget.
The Eagles piled up nine offensive touchdowns and added another on special teams as they rolled past Giles 63-21 for the first road victory in Southern Gap High School history.
Southern Gap improved to 2-2 with what may be its most complete performance of the season. Giles fell to 0-3.
The Eagles controlled the line of scrimmage behind the War Pigs, Blake Childress, Chase Baker, Henry Brown, Riley Hancock, Matt Thompson, Colin Wolfrum, Kanan Justice and Trever Blankenship. Their work up front helped Southern Gap rush for more than 300 yards while giving senior quarterback Brayden White time to deliver several big plays through the air.
White looked increasingly comfortable in his second start at quarterback, completing 6 of 7 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. He also contributed on three successful 2-point conversions.
Southern Gap wasted little time taking control. Freshman Gunner Baker scored on a 4-yard run in the first quarter, and White connected with Baker for the 2-point conversion to give the Eagles an 8-0 lead.
The offense exploded in the second quarter.
Freshman Carson Blankenship broke loose for a 34-yard touchdown run before White found Baker for a 15-yard scoring pass. Blankenship added the 2-point conversion following Baker’s touchdown reception.
White then delivered the Eagles’ biggest passing play of the night, connecting with Ayden Whited for a 56-yard touchdown. Southern Gap carried a 28-7 advantage into halftime.
The Eagles continued pouring it on after the break.
Baker scored on a 21-yard run, and White added the 2-point conversion. After Giles found the end zone, Baker answered immediately by returning the ensuing kickoff 60 yards for another Southern Gap touchdown.
Junior Aidan Baker joined the scoring parade with a 12-yard touchdown run before fullback Caden Justice powered into the end zone from 20 yards out. Reid Stiltner ran in the 2-point conversion following Justice’s score, giving Southern Gap 28 points in the third quarter alone.
Stiltner completed the Eagles’ scoring with a 9-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Thompson kicked the extra point to produce the 63-point total.
Gunner Baker delivered a standout all-around performance, rushing eight times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught a 15-yard touchdown pass and returned a kickoff 60 yards for a score, finishing the night with four touchdowns.
Blankenship surpassed the century mark for the second time this season with 106 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Justice added 87 yards and a score on seven attempts, while Aidan Baker carried three times for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Whited led Southern Gap’s receivers with three catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Baker had one reception for 15 yards and a score, Mason Rife caught one pass for 12 yards, and Justice added a 5-yard reception.
Southern Gap’s defense also turned in one of its strongest performances of the season. The Eagles remained disciplined against Giles’ traditional single-wing offense, limiting the Spartans’ ability to control the ball and sustain drives.
The victory sends Southern Gap into its bye week with momentum and an even record through the first four games in school history.
The Eagles return to action Sept. 25 when they host Honaker for Little League Night at Smiley Ratliff Field at the Red Robertson Athletic Complex at Southern Gap.
