LOUISIANA — Junior running back Trace Helsel supplied four touchdown runs as South Callaway breezed past Louisiana in a 55-12 Eastern Missouri Conference romp in a clash between Bulldogs on Friday night.
The victory was the second in a row for South Callaway, which improved to 2-1 both overall and in the EMO. Louisiana stumbled to 0-3 both on the season and in conference play.
South Callaway struck quickly on its first possession, going in front on junior running back Trace Helsel’s 37-yard touchdown run with 9 minutes, 51 seconds to go in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs went up 14-0 on their second series on a 31-yard touchdown burst by senior running back Hunter Martin-Hay with 7:28 left in the quarter.
South Callaway then made it three scores on three consecutive possessions on senior running back Hayden Vaught’s 4-yard touchdown run at the 2:49 mark of the quarter.
The Bulldogs increased their lead to 28-0 when Helsel produced his second score on a 5-yard touchdown run on fourth down with 8:31 to play in the second quarter.
South Callaway then built a 35-0 advantage on a Helsel 8-yard touchdown run — again coming on fourth down — with 4:28 remaining in the first half.
Louisiana interrupted South Callaway’s surge by breaking onto the scoreboard on its ensuing possession when junior wide receiver Tramaine Chatman bolted 75 yards down the Louisiana sideline for a touchdown at the 3:17 mark. Louisiana failed on the two-point conversion attempt.
South Callaway promptly responded with a six-play, 61-yard scoring drive. Helsel logged his fourth touchdown on a 3-yard run with :57 to go, sending South Callaway into halftime with a commanding 42-6 lead.
South Callaway then opened the third quarter with an 11-play, 55-yard drive to tack on its seventh score. Junior quarterback Sam Buckner punctuated the possession on a 4-yard touchdown run with 3:40 left in the quarter.
South Callaway expanded its lead to 55-6 on junior running back Donnie Fortner’s 11-yard touchdown run with :06 to play in the quarter.
Louisiana put up its final score on a 4-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Mason Washington with 7:00 remaining in the game.
South Callaway stays on the road next week for an EMO matchup at Montgomery County.
Ryan Boland can be reached at (573) 826-2422, or on Twitter @FultonSunSports.