SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION VI PLAYOFFS : Savanna Makes a Long March to Victory

Savanna stopped Sunny Hills on fourth down at the one-yard line, then marched 99 yards the other way for an insurance touchdown as the Rebels defeated the Lancers, 14-0, in the first round of the Southern Section Division VI playoffs at Glover Stadium.

Sunny Hills (6-5) tried to score twice from one yard out with just more than four minutes left in the third quarter, but the Savanna defense, led by Phon Sundara and Willie Green, came up with two big plays.

After taking over, the Rebels (7-3-1) went on a 23-play, 99-yard drive that ate up 11 minutes 31 seconds and gave Savanna a 14-point cushion when Jeff Ragos scored from one yard out.

The Rebels will face University in the second round.

“It (the drive) was a tribute to our offensive line and our running backs,” Savanna Coach Fred DiPalma said. “The defensive front also did a great job stopping them. We played very balanced and this was definitely our most complete win.”

Curtis Morris gave the Rebels their first touchdown on a six-yard run with 6:08 left in the first half, but Ragos was the workhorse for Savanna.

Ragos, who entered the game with more than 1,000 yards rushing on the season, gained 109 yards on 27 attempts, including 83 yards in 19 carries in the second half.

Sunny Hills, the defending Division VI champion, didn’t help itself with three fumbles, two of which were lost.

Marlon Womack, a 1,000-yard rusher for Sunny Hills, was held to 63 yards in 13 carries.