Southview earned a second consecutive victory in the Battle of Sylvania in convincing fashion as the Cougars dominated on both sides of the ball over rival Northview on Friday night.
The Cougars' defense forced four turnovers, including three interceptions, in a 34-0 victory. Junior quarterback Will Mayzes accounted for four touchdowns, two rushing and two passing, in the Crosstown Classic.
At Southview's packed Mel Nusbaum Stadium, a crowd estimated at 5,300 filled the stands to the brim under perfect weather conditions. The Sylvania fans, who also surrounded the fences circling the field, saw the Cougars jump out to a 13-0 lead after one quarter and then take a 27-0 lead into the half. Southview forced a running clock in the season opener with a fourth-quarter TD.
Southview finished with 350 total yards (240 passing and 110 rushing) and held Northview to just 118 yards of total offense.
“It's great,” Southview coach Steve Hardy said. “It's a great environment here and to be able to start the season with that kind of win is so exciting. And now we have the rest of the season still ahead of us.”
Mayzes completed 13 of 20 passes for 240 yards and two TDs.
“I've seen this game since I was a kid and it's great to finally be able to play in this atmosphere at home,” said Mayzes, who is the son of former longtime Southview coach Jim Mayzes. “My dad's been telling me it's my turn, and I think I've gotten in the right mindset. We beat Northview, and we know we're a playoff contender. I think it just sets us up for the future.”
Mayzes, who took over full-time after splitting QB duties with Avery Offenburg last fall, also rushed for 30 yards and scored on runs of 3 and 13 yards.
“He's comfortable back there and he does a great job with the weapons he has,” Hardy said. “He's only going to get better with these experiences. He was in command at all times.”
Senior running back Isaac Sexton rushed for 79 yards on 15 carries and one TD with 21 receiving yards. Senior wide receiver Emite Lamb finished with five catches for 73 yards and a TD, while senior Zack Carter had three catches for 89 yards and a score.
The Cougars had a 253-72 edge in total yardage after one half.
“Credit them,” Northview coach Greg Silm said. “They had a lot of size and they're good up front. We just weren't tough enough. We’ve got to get better up there. The interceptions are mistakes, but you've got to give a little more time for him back there, and hopefully he can deliver those passes. I told the kids we have nine more games and we've got to battle. We want to be competitive.”
The game also featured a bevy of penalties on both teams, often typical in a season opener.
Weimer completed 12 of 19 passes for 81 yards. Wide receiver Andrew Fineske had eight catches for 86 yards. Starting QB Boston Vargas, a transfer from Central Catholic, completed 4 of 7 passes for 36 yards but left the game with an injury after the first quarter.
Southview limited Northview to 46 yards on the ground.
“The defense was great, and our defensive coaches put in a great game plan,” Hardy said. “We lost a lot of seniors, but the coaching staff put the guys in the right spots at the right time.”
Southview came up with three interceptions in the first half and turned two of them into points as the Cougars.
Mayzes first hooked up with Offenburg on a 34-yard play and then connected on a screen pass with Lamb, who took the ball down the sideline for a 38-yard TD as Southview took a 7-0 lead just 1:57 into the game.
Vargas connected on three of his first four passes for 28 yards, including two passes to Fineske. But Southview's Carson Adamczyk come up with a big sack and then the Cougars' Drew Young intercepted Vargas.
Southview cashed in on the turnover with a three-yard QB sneak by Mayzes.
Northview senior quarterback Jacob Weimer came into the game to start the second quarter and completed a 25-yard pickup on his first throw to Fineske. But Southview's Jameson Carey intercepted Weimer and returned it to the Northview 34-yard line, and Mayzes hit Carter on a 34-yard TD on the next play.
Sexton scored on a one-yard run on fourth and goal and Mayzes scored on a 13-yard keeper to round out the scoring.
First Published August 19, 2023, 3:15 a.m.