ZEPHYRHILLS — In a steady rain throughout, the strong rushing attack by Bushnell’s South Sumter propelled the Raiders over the Zephyrhills Bulldogs 45-10 in this District 5A-6 match-up. South Sumter who is Class 5A’s top ranked team is now 4-0 and Zephyrhills drops to 3-1.

Raiders used a host of running backs to take a 28-10 halftime lead including junior JT Taylor who would end the night with 24 carries 157 yards 4 touchdowns, junior Isail Flowers had 19 carries 108 yards 1 touchdown, and sophomore Bokeyon Rice chipped in 13 carries 80 yards. Senior quarterback Reace Kinley hit on 4 of 10 passes for 58 yards including a 9 yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Bryce Williams and Kinley had 5 carries for 29 yards. Senior Wes Moir hit on all 6 PATs and was successful on his only field goal attempt of 40 yards.

The Raiders stout defense limited senior running back Jaylen Pickett to 20 yards rushing and 30 yards receiving, and they had three sacks by sophomore defensive end Carson Wells, senior defensive end Devin Papenheim, junior defensive lineman Montel Presley and added two interceptions by sophomore defensive back Jalon Taylor and junior  defensive back Matt Simmons.

Zephyrhills two quarterbacks combined for 6 completions on 19 passes for 52 yards and the 2 interceptions. Longest plays of the night for the Bulldogs offense was 19 and 22 yard runs by senior quarterback Ty Tanner and a 31 yard run by senior fullback Lorine Parker; Ty’s 19-yarder was the only touchdown for Bulldogs.

Defensively the Bulldogs had tackle-for-losses by junior linebacker Kevin Lee, sophomore defensive linemen Brett Lemay, senior defensive end Lorine Parker and a fumble recovery by junior Tyler Barber.

Next week South Sumter returns home to face Brooksville’s Central and Zephyrhills goes on the road to play Weeki Wachee.