LONDON — What better way to enter the Class 5A playoffs than a 56-0 win.
John Hines’ South Laurel Cardinals turned in their best performance so far this season during their shutout win over the Harlan Green Dragons.
South Laurel (6-3) took a 42-0 lead into the locker room at halftime and never looked back.
Cardinal quarterback Mason Griffin threw four touchdowns passes in the win while Mika Smith added two rushing touchdowns.
“I’m really proud of our team and the great effort that we had tonight,” South Laurel coach John Hines said. “We really executed well offensively, we ran to the ball well and tackled well defensively. I thought our special teams played very well. It’s great to have a big win in the last home game.
“Really proud and happy for our four seniors. Noah Smith, Braylon Sizemore, James Cox, and Jose Pulido,” he added. “It’s a great way to send them out, having played their last game at Gilliam Stadium. I’m proud of our coaching staff, our fans, cheerleaders, students, and everybody involved with South Laurel football. It was a big night for us.”
South Laurel came out firing on all cylinders.
The Cardinals out the game out of reach in the first half while not allowing Harlan a first down during the process.
Smith and Liam Newton both scored rushing touchdowns during the game’s first eight minutes to give South Laurel an early 14-0 lead.
Griffin threw a touchdown pass to Garrison Brown as time expired in the first quarter to push the Cardinals’ lead to 21-0 entering the second quarter.
Griffin continued to impress on South Laurel’s ensuing drive, throwing a touchdown pass to Noah Smith to make the score, 28-0, with 10:09 left in the second quarter.
By the time halftime rolled around, Griffin had four touchdown passes, connecting with Zach Thomas and Gunner Williams to give the Cardinals a 42-0 lead at halftime.
Smith and Ethan Leach both found paydirt in the second half to wrap up the win for South Laurel.
