Southport Stunner: South Brunswick knocks off New Hanover for the first time since 1999

SOUTHPORT -- The South Brunswick kicking game looked like a lost cause thru two quarters. 

But when the Cougars needed him most, Noah Harrell came through in the clutch, lifting his team to a historic win. 

South Brunswick failed on its first two field goals Friday, but Harrell converted two kicks in the fourth quarter and lifted the Cougars (5-0, 2-0 Mideastern) to a 6-3 win over New Hanover. It's South Brunswick's first victory over New Hanover (1-3, 0-1) since 1999, according to head coach Rocky Lewis. 

"I feel like I do better under pressure," Harrell said. "I prefer to kick those over any of the other ones."

New Hanover took a 3-0 lead on a 32-yard field goal by Ben Novotny early in the second quarter, and neither offense could muster much momentum throughout Friday's contest. 

The Wildcats had an opportunity to put the game to bed midway through the fourth quarter, but Garrett Frazier made the game-changing play. 

New Hanover faced a 2nd-and-10 from the South Brunswick 25-yard line when Frazier, a junior defensive lineman, dropped into coverage and recorded the first interception of his high school career. Frazier brought the ball out to the 50-yard line, setting up a game-tying 25-yard field goal just two minutes later. 

"At the end of the game, we're down three points, I had to give everything I had," Frazier said. "The tackle didn't touch me and I heard everyone yelling, so I just dropped back and made a play."

New Hanover's ensuing drive once again reached South Brunswick territory before eventually stalling out and finishing with a turnover on downs. The Cougars took over at their own 33-yard line with 1:10 remaining. 

That set the stage for sophomore quarterback Jameson Prince, who completed four clutch passes to get South Brunswick inside field-goal range. A 23-yard strike to Bazil Abrams put South Brunswick at the New Hanover 12, and two plays later, Harrell made a 31-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining. 

"I've grown a lot this season," Prince said. "I trust my receivers and trust my coaches and that's made everything easier. Tonight was a lot of fun."

Prince finished the night 12-for-27 with 141 passing yards. His favorite target was Michael Shrewsbury, who caught five passes for 76 yards. 

Danny Parker was once again South Brunswick's workhorse, recording 105 rushing yards on 21 carries. He wasn't as explosive Friday as he has been this season, but Parker played nearly every defensive snap at safety in addition to his duties at running back. 

New Hanover's offense was one-dimensional Friday night, with sophomore Caden Morton running for 146 yards on 24 carries. The Wildcats only had 87 passing yards and threw two interceptions. 

South Brunswick now finds itself in an unfamiliar position, with another big home game next week. The Cougars will welcome Hoggard to Southport in a battle of MEC unbeatens. 

The Vikings will have South Brunswick's full focus once Week 7 arrives, but for now, the Cougars are enjoying their first win over New Hanover in 22 years. 

"This is the fruition of years of struggle and hard work," South Brunswick head coach Rocky Lewis said. "The fact that this group could do something that previous classes couldn't do, well now they've set the standard of what can be done. A new door has been opened of what we can accomplish in this conference."

Reporter Jackson Fuller can be reached at Jackson.Fuller@StarNewsOnline.com or 910-343-2262.