STEWART — The Southern Tornadoes defeated the Federal Hocking Lancers in a triple overtime game Friday evening as the fog took over the field.

The win marked the first time this decade the Tornadoes have beaten Federal Hocking, and also the first win in a league opener this decade.

Tied at the half, a scoreless second half led the two TVC Hocking teams to overtime where they battled it out for three extra periods. Scoring 20 of their 34 points in overtime, the Tornadoes outlasted the Lancers to win on a 17 yard run by Michael Manuel in the third overtime.

Southern scored first on a big 82 yard touchdown run by Greg Jenkins. Dustin Salser added the two point conversion on a pass to Brad Coppick, giving Southern the early 8-0 lead.

Federal Hocking scored their first points of the night midway thru the second quarter on a four yard run from Chad Hatfield, who also added the two point conversion. Southern answered with a one yard run by Quarterback Dustin Salser. The two point conversion was no good leaving Southern with a 14-8 lead.

Federal Hocking scored again before the half with a 2 yard Hatfield run as time expired. The halftime score of 14-14 would remain unchanged thru the end of regulation.

Southern had the ball first in overtime, scoring on a one yard run by Sean Coppick, but did not convert on the extra points. Federal Hocking matched the Southern score with a six yard run from Brenden Torrence, but were unable to make the game winning extra point kick, sending the game to a second overtime.

Federal Hocking’s offense took the field first in the second overtime and scored on a Dewayne Clark three yard run. The two point conversion run for Torrence was good. The Tornado offense took the field needing eight to send the game to a third overtime. Southern’s Greg Jenkins answered with a one yard touchdown run, followed by a two point run, sending the game to a third overtime.

Michael Manuel scored on a 17 yard touchdown run to begin the third overtime, with the two point attempt failing. It was up to Southern’s defense to hold the Lancers and clinch the victory, and that was exactly what they did.

On the evening, Taylor Lemley led the Tornado defense with 11 tackles and two sacks, while Sean Coppick added 10 tackles. Eric Buzzard and Jesse Cope both grabbed interceptions for the Tornadoes.

Southern takes their 4-2 record on the road next week, traveling to Miller (1-5)in a TVC Hocking showdown with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.