WATERFORD, Ohio — A long time coming.

The Southern football team defeated Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division host Waterford 21-0 Friday night, giving the Tornadoes their first shutout since week three of 2010, their first back to back wins since 2010, and their first victory over Waterford since October 16th of 2009. Southern has not won a game in Waterford in over 10 years.

The Tornadoes (3-5, 3-3 TVC Hocking) got things started early in the night, as Tyler Barton found paydirt from nine yards out at the 7:20 mark of the first period. Trenton Deem added the point after touchdown and gave Southern the 7-0 lead.

Tyler Barton scored his second touchdown of the night with 1:38 remaining in the half on 14 yard run. Deem added the PAT and the Tornadoes led 14-0 at half.

The second half was all about defense for the purple and gold. With just under seven minutes remaining in the game Waterford (2-6, 1-5) was held out of the endzone despite four attempts from inside the five yard line. The SHS defense struck again with 2:40 remaining in regulation, as Tyler O’Conner returned an interception 60 yards for the touchdown. Deem added the extra point and Southern took the 21-0 victory.

Tyler Barton led the SHS rushing attack with 87 yards on 18 tries with two scores. Paul Ramthun had 17 yards on four carries, Jack Lemley had nine yards on one carry, Deem ran six times for eight yards, and Tristen Wolfe had six yards on eight carries.

Wolfe was 4-of-6 passing for 60 yards on the night. Deem finished with a trio of grabs for 44 yards, while Paul Ramthun had one catch for 16 yards.

Jacob Stewart led Waterford with 44 yards on six rushes, while Devon Patterson was 5-of-10 for 56 yards through the air. Mitchell Ginther had two receptions for 37 yards to lead the Wildcats.

Southern had an 11-to-7 advantage in first downs on the night, and a 188-to-127 advantage in total yards. The Tornadoes gained 128 yards on 39 carries on the ground, to go with 60 yards through the air. WHS had just 71 yards on 34 attempts on the ground, to go with 56 yards passing.

Both teams were penalized seven times, however SHS had 72 penalty yards compared to Waterford’s 60. Southern fumbled twice, losing possession both times, while the Wildcats fumbled six time, but lost just two.

Southern returns home next Friday night as it hosts Trimble, who has shutout five consecutive opponents. Waterford will look to return to it’s winning ways next week with a trip to South Gallia.