The Eagle defense made life tough for King Academy quarterback Connor Fox Friday night. (Photo/Martha Ladd)
RWA-51, King Academy-24
WINNSBORO – The five Eagle seniors celebrated their last home game with a 51-24 victory over the King Academy Knights to capture the SCISA 8-man Region II crown.
“It’s been a long time since our school has hoisted a region championship,” Eagles head coach Dan Dickerson said. “We ended last year with a three-game win streak and that began our players’ belief into the system. They dedicated themselves and worked hard to make this a reality.”
The 10-0 Eagles used all three phases of the game to once again dominate their opponent through all four quarters of the game.
Richard Winn’s first possession began after a great stop on defense that gave the Eagles great field position. Senior quarterback Matt Taylor connected with junior Webb Yongue for a 46-yard touchdown to give the Eagles an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Knights responded with their next possession, running the ball through the Eagle defense. Two big penalties by the Eagle defense kept the drive going and the Knights capitalized with a 4-yard touchdown pass. Knights senior quarterback Connor Fox hit junior running back Wyatt McDonald on the touchdown which cut the Eagle lead 7-6.
The Eagles responded immediately on their next possession with a 56-yard touchdown run by junior John Coleman. The Eagles missed on their 2-point conversion as the Eagles led 13-6 late in the first quarter.
Both defenses began in the second quarter stopping the momentum momentarily of the offenses forcing early punts. The Eagle offense ended the Knights defensive hold with a 47-yard touchdown run by Taylor. Coleman converted the 2-point attempt to push the Eagle lead 21-6.
Late in the second quarter Eagle senior Blake Pauley scored his first touchdown of the year with a 70-yard touchdown reception from Taylor giving the Eagles a commanding 28-6 lead going into halftime. The Knights struck right before the end of the second quarter with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Fox to senior wide receiver Caleb Fulmer.
The Eagle defense scored the third quarter’s first points with a sack of Fox in the end zone by junior defensive lineman Coker Gilbert, which gave the Eagles a 30-12 lead. On the Eagles following possession Taylor connected again with Pauley on a 30-yard touchdown pass to increase their lead 37-12.
The Knights battled back with a great drive running the ball down the field as McDonald led them to another touchdown from 4 yards out. The Knights failed their 2-point conversion cutting the Eagle lead to 37-18 late in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter Taylor increased the RWA lead to 44-18 with an 11-yard touchdown run. The Knights tacked on their final points when McDonald connected with Fulmer on a 23-yard touchdown pass. The Eagles put a nail on the coffin on their next possession with a 47-yard touchdown run by junior Gunnar Hensley for the 51-24 final.
“We are on a 13-game win streak starting from last season,” Dickerson said. “It feels good to see the joy on their faces knowing their hard work led to this championship.”
Richard Winn ends the regular season on the road Friday at Andrew Jackson.
WKA: 6-6-6-6 – 24
RWA: 13-15-9-14 – 51
Scoring
First Quarter
RW – Web Yongue 46 pass from Matt Taylor (Mitchell Gibbons kick). 8:04.
KA – Wyatt McDonald 4 pass from Connor Fox (pass failed). 2:36.
RW – John Coleman 56 run (pass failed). 2:03.
Second Quarter
RW – M. Taylor 47 run (J. Coleman run). 6:38.
RW – Blake Pauley 70 pass from M. Taylor (M. Gibbons kick). 0:57.
KA – Caleb Fulmer 35 pass from Fox (pass failed). 0:28.
Third Quarter
RW – Coker Gilbert safety. 7:41.
RW – B. Pauley 30 pass from M. Taylor (Gibbons kick). 7:04.
KA – McDonald 4 run (run failed). 4:21.
Fourth Quarter
RW – M. Taylor 11 run (M. Gibbons kick). 8:59.
KA – Fulmer 23 pass from McDonald (run failed). 6:37.
RW – Gunnar Hensley 47 run (M. Gibbons kick). 6:27.
Team Stats
WKA RWA
First Downs 21 14
Rushes/Yards 36-133 25-301
Passing Yards 126 164
C-A-I 16-29-1 9-13-0
Fumbles/Lost 0-0 1-1
Individual Stats
RUSHING: RW – John Coleman 6-97, Matt Taylor 8-99, Webb Yongue 2-28, Gunnar Hensley 6-65, Nic Stillwell 3-12.
RECEIVING: RW – Mitchell Gibbons 1-0, Blake Pauley 5-116, Webb Yongue 3-53.
PASSING: RW – Matt Taylor 9-13, 164 yards, 3 TDs.
