Wolfpack holds off Knight's tenacious attack
For three-and-a-half quarters last Friday night at Blanchard Stadium, Greenbrier dominated. It was the last half of the final quarter that had many Wolfpack fans worried.
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Greenbrier's Lashawn Butler is pursued by Evans' Jonathan Harnish during second-half action at Blanchard Field on Sept. 16.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The Knights didn't give up.
With just under five minutes left in the game, Greenbrier held a comfortable 16-2 lead over the winless Evans Knights. The tag team backfield of seniors Reggie Rice and Erik Smith had led a Wolfpack offense that rushed for 207 yards.
With 1:15 left in the game, Greenbrier faced fourth down and one yard to go from their own 30 yard line.
A Greenbrier first down would have ended the game, but the Knight defense held strong on the play and forced the Wolfpack to turn over the ball on downs. Evans sat in great field position with just over a minute to play, but still trailing by two touchdowns.
The Knights didn't give up.
"That's been the staple of this team," Evans Head Coach Marty Jackson said. "They just don't surrender."
Evans quarterback Josh McDaniel led a hurry-up offense down the field and quickly found sophomore David Smith in the end zone to bring the Knights to within seven.
"Josh McDaniel gave us a good spark there," Jackson said. "We've said when you get your chance, you've got to play."
Despite their quick touchdown, the scoreboard was still against Evans. Only five seconds remained in the game with the Knights still trailing by seven.
The Knights still didn't give up.
Evans High School's Josh McDaniel tries to break the grip of Greenbrier's Reggie Rice during the first quarterat Blanchard stadium.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
An on-side kick from Evans crawled 11 yards toward the Knight sideline and fell into the hands of Evans' Jacob Gibbs. Gibbs immediately fell to the ground to stop the clock and give the Knights one last shot at tieing the game.
Starting quarterback Kevin Millward launched a 50-yard prayer on the final play. The ball came down in a heap of green and black, but it was Greenbrier's Freddie Jones who came out of the pile with the ball and the win.
For the third time in four games, Evans lost by only a touchdown.
"We're disappointed, but the season is a long way from over," Jackson said. "We're going to get there. I believe in the kids and we're going to be fine."
Evans (0-4) will travel to Jones County for another Region 2-AAAA contest Friday night. Greenbrier (2-2) will play host to Lakeside (2-2) Friday in a match up of two teams undefeated in region play.
Harlem 49,
Richmond Academy 14
Not much could stop the Bulldog offense Friday night at ARC Stadium. Harlem rushed for 449 yards in the game and tallied seven rushing touchdowns. Maurice Dorsey, Brendan Gray and Barry St. John all scored twice from the ground. Gabe Greer joined Gray and St. John as Harlem's three separate 100-yard rushers while the Bulldog defense allowed Richmond Academy only 163 rushing yards.
The win gave Harlem their first win in region play.
Harlem (3-2) will next host Thomson (4-1) Friday night in a Region 3N-AAA battle.
Augusta Christian (4-0) took Friday off. The Lions are ranked No. 2 in the South Carolina Independent Schools Association Coaches Poll and travel to No. 1 Heathwood Hall for a region showdown Friday night.
Lakeside also had Friday night off to prepare for Greenbrier Friday night at the Brierpatch in a Region 2-AAAA game. Both teams have identical records at 2-2 overall and 1-0 in region play.