Using ball control on offense and a stifling defense, South Albany got its season headed in the right direction swamping host Hillsboro 28-0 on the road.

The Rebels ate up huge chunks of the clock on sustained drives, rushing for nearly 300 yards, and broke open a close game with 21 second half points.

Colby Maynard, Jesse Duke and T. J. Fox combined for 220 yards on the ground and the South Albany defense put the clamps on the Spartan runing game.

Maynard, Duke and Craig Graham all scored rushing touchdowns in the win. Quarterback Matt Hettwer finished with a strong game as well, completing five of nine passes for 91 yards and a touchdown to Cam Wark in the fourth quarter.

Hillsboro couldn't muster much of an offense against the Rebels. The Spartans managed just 24 rushing yards and only 176 total yards. Many of those came late in the game when South had built a solid lead.

South finished with 20 first downs and limited Hillsboro to only eight.

Zach Ayers led the swarming Rebel defenders with six solo tackles.

The Rebels (1-0) play Century High at Hillsboro next Friday.

They play their home opener the following week against Churchill.

South Albany 28, Hillsboro 0

South Albany 0 7 14 7 - 28

Hillsboro 0 0 0 0 - 0

Second quarter

SA - Colby Maynard 1 run, Erik Vankeulen kick.

Third Quarter

SA - Craig Graham 3 run, Erik Vankeulen kick.

SA - Jesse Duke 1 run, Erik Vankeulen kick.

Fourth quarter

SA - Cam Wark 4 pass from Matt Hettwer, Zach Ayers kick.

Individual statistics

Rushing - South Albany: 67-281. Maynard 15-113; Duke 30-85; Fox 10-72; Halsey 4-9; Graham 2-4; Stutzman 1-2; Fanourakis 1-0; Hunter 3- -4. Hillsboro 13-24. Anderson 9-21; Rose 2-10; McGrath 1-1.

Passing - South Albany: Matt Hettwer 5-9-91-1. Hillsboro: Rose 8-19-103-0-1; Peden 2-5-49.

Receiving - South Albany: Erik Vankeulen 2-39; Cameron Wark 2-29; Colby Maynard 1-23.

Albany Democrat-Herald