Porter Gaud tops Northwood 21-7 to head to first championship appearance since 2016

By Neill Kirkpatrick

Special to the HSSR

Charleston – Behind JJ Fludd’s two touchdown and two interceptions the Porter Gaud Cyclones are headed to the SCISA AAAA state championship game for the first time after knocking off area rival Northwood Academy 21-7.

Fludd told the HSSR after the game, “I just try to play what is in front of me. I just got to be a dawg. It does not matter where I am on the field I just have to make plays for my team and do what they need me to do.”

The win sets up a week four rematch with two-time defending AAAA state champion Hammond, 12-0. The Skyhawks are on a current seven consecutive state championships as they have won five AAA titles before the first two AAAA titles.

In the first meeting between the two teams, Hammond used a dominate second quarter in which they outscored Porter Gaud 20-0 on their way to 28-15 win. Hammond quarterback Andrew Turner threw for 185 yards and four touchdowns. LSU commit Michael Tyler had two receptions including a 38-yard touchdown pass. The Hammond defense controlled the line of scrimmage in the first half.

“Hammond is the top of the mountain. They have been there for a long time. We are excited to for the opportunity ahead but we want to get after them and win the football game,” said PG head coach Brad Bowles.

The Cyclones came out on fire on both sides of the ball after an awesome pre-game fireworks display ended. The Cyclones defense forced a quick three and out as the front three of senior Hugh Buxton, junior Pierce Lewis and super sophomore Davin Brown introduced themselves to Northwood quarterback Austyn Grady on all three plays.

“We were just doing our jobs. Staying square, staying in our lanes, getting to the ball, and having a great time as a team. We stayed focused and got the job done,” said Buxton after the game.

The Cyclones offense showed they were ready as well as they went 79 yards in 9 plays to take the lead at 7-0 when Fludd scored from the four for touchdowns number one. The big play of the drive occurred at the Northwood 22 when Tony Brown took a hand off up the middle and appeared to have fumble the ball. In the ensuing scrum Northwoods Quincy Lingard came out with the ball but the officials awarded the ball back to Porter Gaud.

Despite the three and out on their first possession the Chargers took over at 29 and promptly moved the ball 71 yards in 12 plays to tie the game at 7. Junior running back Kaven Ford, who rushed for 32 yards on the drive, scored from the two.

Brown has a 39-yard kick off return to set the Cyclones up at the Northwood 43. However, the Chargers defense made their own statement. On fourth and one the Cyclones handed the ball off to Brown who was met in the hole by Cody McCleary, Garrett Cash and a host of Chargers and dropped for a three yard loss and a turnover on downs.

The rest of the half the Porter Gaud allowed the Chargers to gain only five yards and forced three turnovers. The first was a fumble recovery off a bad snap by the Cyclones Benjamin Tolley with the next two being picks by Fludd and Chase Anderson.

“Our defense has been playing inspired, they have played physical and they are in the right place at the right time. They have made some big plays and forced some big turnovers. When the offense stalled they just keep stopping Northwoods,” PG’s Bowles said.

Tolley’s recovery gave the Cyclones a first down at the Chargers 28. A 13-yard run by Fludd followed by two carries for Brown for the final 15-yards as he scored from the six and the Cyclones lead was 14-7.

Porter Gaud had a chance to increase their lead after Fludd’s interception but the Northwood defense forced a 35-yard field goal attempt that was just wide left.

The third quarter saw both teams move the ball but mistakes cost each team a chance to put points on the board.

Northwood had the first chance as they recovered an onside kick to start the third quarter. They moved the ball to the Porter Gaud 28. On third down Davin Brown stopped Ford and on fourth down pressure by Julian Buxton forced an incompletion and Porter Gaud took over.

On the Cyclones next possession, they appeared to take a 14-point lead when Fludd started right, planted his foot to cut back up the middle and went 68-yards to pay dirt. But a holding penalty wiped out the run and the Cyclones ended up punting.

The Chargers then put together their best drive since the first quarter as Grady went 4-5 for 23 yards and Ford rushed six times for 24 yards to move the ball to the Porter Gaud 12. On third down the Cyclones Austin Smith sacked Grady to force a fourth and 16. The Chargers drew up the right play as Mourice Davis got behind the defense but the pass was short and the Cyclones took over at their 18.

Porter Gaud then showed why they are headed to the state championship game. Coach Bowles got behind his road grading  offensive line and gave the ball to Fludd. The Cyclones went 83 yards in 9 plays with Fludd carrying the ball six times for 75 yards and the game clinching touchdown from five yards out. The point after by Quinn Mulholland made it 21-7.

The Chargers tried to answer but on first and 10 from the Cyclones 46 Gardy’s pass across the ball found Fludd for his second interception of the game and ended any hopes of a Chargers come back.

“Same story as last time. You cannot turn the football over and miss opportunities when you have them against a great ball club like Porter Gaud,” said Northwood head coach Johnny Waters. “Our defense played well most of the night. They have been stellar all year. We have eight of them coming back but offensively we could not capitalize when we had a chance.”

Unofficially, Fludd rushed for 150 yards to lead the Cyclones while Brown added 44 and Nolen Shuman had 28 yards. While Fludd and Brown get most of the attention Shuman does a great job of running the Cyclones option-based offense.

Defensively, the Cyclones allowed 177 yards but six of the Chargers positions gained 9 yards or less and they had the four turnovers.

Ford rushed for a team high 57 yards and the one score while Grady went 9-21 for 92 yards. The Chargers defense held it’s own as they held the Cyclones to less than 300 yards for the game.

Next up for Porter Gaud is the SCISA Class AAAA State Championship game against defending title holder Hammond at Charleston Southern University on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7pm.