WINNSBORO – The Richard Winn Eagles hosted the Northside Christian Crusaders, a week removed from picking up their first victory of the season over Coastal Christian Prep. The Eagles improved to 2-1 this week by escaping with a close 48-42 victory over the Crusaders in an offensive showdown.
Noah Edwards twists and turns past the Northside defender. | Photos/Ross Burton
Freshman quarterback Zack Taylor led the Eagles with his best performance of the short season, and maybe his career. He went 26-30 with 377 passing yard and four passing touchdowns to go with 85 yards rushing and three rushing scores.
Taylor’s first passing touchdown was the Eagles first score, and Noah Edwards was the recipient of that one. It would take the Crusaders a moment to counter, but they did strike back and took an 8-7 lead after a successful two-point conversion.
The Eagles did not take long to answer Northside’s scoring drive. Six minutes after the Crusaders took the lead, Zack Taylor got into the endzone on a QB keeper that put the Eagles back up 14-8.
Northside again took a two-point lead with a touchdown, and their second two-point conversion of the night. Defensive stands were few and far between. A few minutes later the Crusaders held the Eagles to fourth, but were not able to stop Taylor from connecting with Jimmy McKeown for a touchdown pass.
Johnny Edenfield charges between Northside defenders.
The teams traded scores back and forth, all with six more lead changes coming between the Edwards and McKeown touchdown at the ten minute mark. Richard Winn made a pivotal defensive stop on a Crusaders fourth down, and took over with 9:37 remaining in the game and a 41-36 lead.
Taylor used his legs to close the door on the Crusaders’ hope for victory, by hitting the corner of the endzone on QB scramble. The score for RWA went up 48-36, and Northside put up a late score to draw within six, but the time ran short on their comeback.
The Eagles’ talented receiving core benefited from the strong Taylor performance. Noah Edwards had eight catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns, while Jimmy McKeown brought in eight balls for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Johnny Edenfield caught seven passes for 99 yards, and also had a touchdown catch.
The Eagles will be travelling to Newberry to take on the 0-2 Newberry Academy Eagles.
