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Actually it wasn't shocking. South does not have a running back even close to what Che Hogue brings to the table, and I don't know why he didn't dress for the game. Then you add that Zach David is also out and they go with a soph backup QB with a conservative game plan, and you get what happened tonight. South threw three picks with one of those being a pick six. South was unable to move the ball on offense in the second half and the Bulldogs' strength is on their offensive side of the ball. NA spent much of the second half on South's side of the field with the Panthers' defense not getting much of breather. South kept a lid on those two key players not playing right up until just before game time. The beat writer for the Bloomington paper didn't tweet it until about 35 minutes before kickoff. Anyway, congrats to the Bulldogs for their first ever regional title and I assume they will get the unenviable task of trying to take down Cathedral. I haven't seen the Cathedral score, but I assume they will probably win their game.

New Albany 33 Bloomington South 14 (final) The Bulldogs got a meaningless TD at the end of the game after South threw their 3rd pick of the game with all picks on their side of the field with one of them being a pick six. South could not muster any offense in the second half which required their defense to spend much of their time out on the field. South just could not overcome having a conservative offense with a JV QB and backup running backs in there. Congrats to the Bulldogs for their first ever regional title. They get to honor of probably trying to beat Cathedral in the semistate.

New Albany 26 Bloomington South 14 (4:55, 4th) After South tried a fake punt on a 4th and 6 at their end of the field, NA managed to stop South short of the 1st down marker, and the Bulldogs were able to get a short drive together for what appears to be the clinching TD.

New Albany 20 Bloomington South 14 (8:08, 3rd) South gave NA a fairly short field on the 2nd half kickoff, and NA went on a 56 yard drive to take the lead. Most of their yardage was on the ground. PAT no good (bad snap)

Bloomington South 14 New Albany 14 (half) South is hanging in there considering they are playing this game with one arm tied behind their back on offense with a JV backfield on offense. It came out about 30 minutes before the game that South's starting QB, Zack David, and starting RB, Che Hogue, both didn't dress for the game. Soph QB Jarrin Alley for the most part has played well with the exception that he threw a 25 yard pick six which gave NA a lead. Both backup running backs have ran pretty well also.

Bloomington South 14 New Albany 14 (0:41, 2nd) South scores on a long drive, scoring on a six yard TD run.

New Albany 14 Bloomington South 7 (5:52, 2nd) With South backed up deep in their territory, South threw a pick six for an easy score by the Bulldogs.

Bloomington South 7 New Albany 7 (0:35, 1st) NA scored on a 65 yard drive after South's secondary gave up a big pass play.

Bloomington South 7 New Albany 0 (3:54, 1st) With a backup QB and backup RBs, South takes the lead after getting a pick near midfield and driving the remaining 50+ yards for the opening score.

About a half hour before the game, we learned that Zach David and Che Hogue are both not dressed for tonight's game.

In a huge surprise, QB Zach David and top running back, Che Hogue are not dressed for tonight's game. This changes everything as far as how this game may turn out.

Zach David left the North game late in the 3rd with what appeared to be a concussion or concussion-like symptoms, but there has been nothing in the articles leading up to tonight's game that indicates he won't be playing. Here's a quote in the game capsule this morning in the Bloomington paper. "Giving Che Hogue and Zach David ample room to run with eat up yardage and clock will help send South back to the semistate." In the sectional championship game against North, Che Hogue had 191 yards on 28 carries and three TDs, while Zach David had 71 yards on the ground before he left the game late in the 3rd with the injury. I think that the Bulldogs' defense is such that South will be able to run on them, and I will be surprised if that doesn't happen. South just needs to stay away from the equalizers such as turnovers and key penalties at the wrong time.

I fully expect South to run, run, run, and run some more tonight.

If you haven't seen it yet, you can watch the game at the following link: IHSAA Champions Network (ihsaatv.org)

I saw that it is the first sectional championship in 19 years for the Bulldogs.

I believe David may have had a concussion just looking at the way he left the field. South also had an o-lineman (#73) go down late in the game which looked like it may be an ankle injury. Those were the only two injuries that were obvious during the game.

South plays at New Albany next week. South beat New Albany at home in the season opener, 50-20, but it will be a road game in which South may be without their starting QB, Zack David, who went out with what may have been a concussion. I'm not sure on that injury, but he seemed to walk off the field okay with the exception that he may have been a little dazed which would indicate a possible concussion. That's just a guess on my part.

I guess it will be at New Albany. South beat the Bulldogs pretty easily in the season opener at home, but they could be without their starting QB next week.

Bloomington South 24 Bloomington North 17 (final) South plays the winner of the New Albany/Seymour game in the regionals.

Bloomington South 24 Bloomington North 17 (5:38, 4th) South scored on a 23 yard TD run by Che Hogue, his third TD of the game.

Bloomington South's backup QB is still in there so I assume Zach David, their starting QB is through for the game with what may be a concussion.

Bloomington South 17 Bloomington North 17 (9:30, 4th) After South's FG gave them a seven point lead, they gave up a 94 yard kickoff return as North ties the game.

Bloomington South 17 Bloomington North 10 (9:45, 4th) South drove deep into North territory, but ended up having to settle for a 41 yard FG after a sack.

Bloomington South 14 Bloomington North 10 (end of 3rd) South has the ball at their 47 yard line with a 3rd and 13. Backup QB still in there for South.

Bloomington South 14 Bloomington North 10 (4:59, 3rd) South's QB, Zach David, was shaken up on a play and soph Jarren Alley is in for him and he doesn't have much experience. South's defense is going to have to step it up.