Bengals quarterback Kylinn Binn scrambles out of the pocket.Blythewood running back Devin Albert bounces out of the pile.
The South Pointe Stallions scored 26 points in the second half to hand the Blythewood Bengals a 39-16 loss in their first game of the 2012 season. The Stallions defense was tumultuous throughout the game, forcing five fumbles, recording eight sacks and intercepting two passes. With their eight sacks last week in a win over Irmo (17-10), South Pointe now has 16 total for the year. After the game Bengals head coach Reggie Kennedy was not surprised by South Pointe’s ability to put pressure on the quarterback.
“They have a good D-line and that was one of our concerns going into the game,” Kennedy said.
After a scoreless first quarter South Pointe struck first when Cody Blake recovered a Kylin Binn fumble and took it to the house from 18 yards out. The extra point attempt was blocked by Aaron Peak giving South Point a 6-0 lead. The Bengals first points came off the leg of Greg Huegel, who buried a 39-yard field goal that capped a nine-play drive. Halfway through the second quarter Blythewood took the lead 10-6 after Ben Ruiz scampered for a 25-yard touchdown. It would be the only lead for the Bengals as South Pointe went back on top 13-10 just before the half, with a 42-yard run from C.J. Pendergrass.
In the second half the Stallions scored touchdowns on four of their eight drives, and the Blythewood offense was not able to keep pace as they sputtered scoreless on their six drives, either ending with a punt or an interception. Dean Beckford gave the Bengals’ special teams unit a jolt when he returned a kick-off 90 yards for a touchdown and pulled Blythewood to within 10. That was as close as they would get, as South Pointe quarterback Devon Pearson took over the game, rushing for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to put the exclamation point on a 39-16 win for South Pointe as they improve to 2-0 on the year.
“We needed to match their intensity in the second half, but we didn’t get off to a good start,” Kennedy said. “They made quality plays and we didn’t.”
Blythewood falls to 0-1 on the year. The Bengals defense gave up a total of 373 yards including 248 on the ground and the offense never got into a groove gaining only 114 yards with 104 through the air. South Pointe was able to overcome a total of 11 penalties for 103 yards and they were solid on third down, converting five of 13. Still, Kennedy remains optimistic.
“We can clean up the things we did wrong, learn how to finish a football game and we’ll be fine,” Kennedy said.
Blythewood has the chance to bounce back next week when they go on the road to face Lexington Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. To stay up to date on all Blythewood high school athletics friend us on Facebook at The Voice of Blythewood Sports or visit us online at www.facebook.com/bhathletics.
SP -0-13-13-13 39
BHS- 0-10-6-0 16
Second Quarter
SP- C. Blake 18 fumble recovery. Kick failed. (11:25)
BHS- G. Heugel 39 field goal. (8:49)
BHS- B. Ruiz 25 run. G. Heugel kick. (7:11)
SP- C. Pendergrass 42 run. L. Ard kick. (1:30)
Third Quarter
SP- P. Heath 26 pass from D. Pearson. L. Ard kick. (4:49)
SP- C. Pendergrass 7 run. Kick failed. (3:05)
BHS- D. Beckford 90 kick return. PAT failed. (2:51)
Fourth Quarter
SP- D. Pearson 68 run. L. Ard kick. (10:41)
SP- D. Pearson 5 run. Kick failed. (4:43)
Records: BHS: 0-1/0-0 SP: 2-0/0-0
Team Stats
BHS SP
First downs 13 18
Rushes/Yards 35-10 39-248
Comp/Att/Int 24-11-2 25-14-0
Pass Yards 104 125
Fumbles/Lost 5-1 3-0
Penalties/Yards 8-56 11-103
Individual Stats
RUSHING—BHS: D. Albert 11-43. B. Ruiz 4-31. T. Palmer 2-7. D. Beckford 5-0. J. Britt 3 (-14). K. Binn 10 (-57). SP: D. Pearson 13-93. C. Pendergrass 14-78. J. Brice 7-49. B. Barber 2-19. D. Blake 2-11.
PASSING—BHS: K. Binn 8-16. 96 yards. 1 INT. 0 TD. T. Palmer 2-6. 10 yards. 1 INT. 0 TD. SP: D. Pearson 12-22. 0 INT. 1 TD. D. Blake 2-3. 4 yards. 0 INT. 0 TD.
RECEIVING—BHS: S. Brown 7-59. J. Smith 2-30. D. Beckford 1-13. B. Ruiz 1-2. SP: P. Heath 7-85. J. Hall 4-33. D. Davis 2 (-3). A. Johnson 1-10.