Of the 15 first-half passes Zach Lujan unleashed Saturday afternoon, two were straight-up dropped by receivers in the end zone and another turned into an unfortunate incompletion when the artificial turf jarred loose the ball from a diving wide-out.
Exactly one first-half throw by Lujan hit the turf at Anchorage Football Stadium.
South's senior quarterback proved fantastic in the first half, completing 11 passes, four of them for touchdowns, and spearheading the unbeaten Wolverines to a 49-0 Cook Inlet Conference victory over winless Bartlett.
Lujan, South's starter since midway through his sophomore season, finished 12 of 18 for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Most of his damage was done in the first half, when he went 11 of 15 for 230 yards and his career-high four scoring strikes.
"It was spectacular,'' said South receiver Louis Page, who racked two touchdown catches, one spectacular. "Zach was putting the ball right on the money.''
So much for the defending state runner-up being labeled a running team. Granted, the Wolverines (3-0, 3-0 CIC) have averaged 303 rushing yards per game. But Lujan has thrown for 447 yards and eight touchdowns already this season.
More importantly, he has yet to throw an interception.
And thus no razors or clippers shall touch Lujan's hair or sideburns for another week. He has vowed not to cut his hair or shave -- hey, don't worry about a beard on that baby face -- until he throws a pick.
"I'm proud of the fact in three games, no turnovers,'' Lujan said. "I think that's because of better coverage recognition.''
After watching video of Bartlett's defense, South game-planned to go to the air against Bartlett. Lujan's 18 attempts Saturday, when his offensive line afforded him a comfortable pocket, came after he attempted 23 passes total in South's first two games.
Lujan completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Kahlil Autry in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Lujan and Reilly Brown hooked up for a 45-yarder, and Lujan also connected with Page on scoring plays of 12 yards and 35 yards.
"It's great that we started passing this game,'' Brown said. "It worked and I hope we keep doing it. A second threat is what we need.''
Page's 35-yard touchdown was the play of the game. He said Lujan "mouthed'' a go-route to him at the line of scrimmage. Page blazed up the right side and made a one-handed grab over the top of defensive back Cole Kenney. With his left arm away from his body as he leaped, Page one-handed the ball to himself with his right hand. Page, who also plays basketball, said it was like going up for a rebound.
"I thought, 'What the heck,' " he said. "I was practicing one-handed catches this week in practice.''
Brown caught four passes for 96 yards, Page snagged three for 68 yards and Griffin Toomey gloved three for 49 yards.
South's defense, which has surrendered one touchdown this season and helped the Wolverines play all three of their fourth quarters with a running clock as required by the mercy rule, picked off four passes. Wade Ellis latched onto two picks, and Dante Williams and Alec Valdez each swiped one.
South limited Bartlett (0-3, 0-2 CIC) to just 145 yards total offense on 52 plays from scrimmage.
As for South's offense, well, it still runs the ball well.
Taylor Faagau rushed 14 times for 103 yards and a touchdown, Williams clocked 71 yards on five carries and Autry racked 32 yards and two touchdowns on six carries.
Find Doyle Woody's blog at adn.com/hockeyblog or call him at 257-4335.
Bartlett 0 0 0 0 -- 0
South 7 28 0 14 -- 49
First Quarter
South -- Autry 8 pass from Lujan (Imlach kick), 7:05.
Second Quarter
South -- Brown 45 pass from Lujan (Imlach kick), 7:35.
South -- Page 12 pass from Lujan (Imlach kick), 5:53.
South -- Autry 8 run (Imlach kick), 3:09.
South -- Page 35 pass from Lujan (Imlach kick), 1:12.
Fourth Quarter
South -- Autry 21 run (Imlach kick), 9:39.
South -- Faagau 5 run (Imlach kick), 1:44.
Bartlett South
First downs 8 19
Rushes-yards 33-78 39-225
Passing yards 67 235
Return yards 95 105
Passes 9-19-4 12-18-0
Punts 5-28.2 2-28.5
Fumbles-lost 0-0 3-1
Penalties-yards 8-58 10-90
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING -- Bartlett: Jones 9-30, Sua 6-22, Reynolds 4-12, Schmidt 3-9, Irving 1-4, Heckman 7-2, No. 14 2-1, Rowland 1-(-2). South: Faagau 15-109S, Williams 5-71, Autry 6-32, Taha 3-18, Settle 2-11, Silsbee 1-7, Cook 2-3, Augafa 1-2, Valdez 1-(-5), Lujan 3-(-23).
PASSING -- Bartlett: Jones 8-17-3--63, Schmidt 1-2-1--4. South: Lujan 12-18-0--235.
RECEIVING -- Bartlett: Irving 2-30, Hoffman 2-9, Reynolds 1-8, K. Johnson 1-7, Rowland 1-5, Mahe 1-4, B. Johnson 1-4. South: Brown 4-91, Page 3-68, Toomey 3-49, Settle 1-14, Autry 1-8.
By DOYLE WOODY
Anchorage Daily News