WINNSBORO – The Fairfield Central Griffins looked to extend their winning streak over the Chester Cyclones to 10 years. Instead, the undefeated Cyclones did enough to upend the streak. Fairfield remained close on the Cyclones’ heels most of the game. Early in the fourth quarter Fairfield trailed 20-15, but Chester pulled away late for a 34-15 win.
Chester received the game’s opening kickoff, and they marched from their own 41-yard line to the end zone on a four-minute, 11-play drive. Cyclone running back Pha’leak Brown notched the game’s first score on a three-yard run.
The ever-elusive Will Barber (4) looks for a break in the Cyclone defense. | Joe Seibles
A muffed Chester punt later in the first quarter led to the Griffins’ first points of the night. Edwin Aguilar pulled Fairfield within three on a 20-yard field goal with a minute to go in the first. Chester extended their lead to 14-3 on a one-yard, Stan Mills quarterback keeper with less than ten seconds go to before halftime.
It looked like the 11-point Cyclone lead was going to be safe until halftime, but the ever-dangerous Will Barber bolted past the special teams for a 75-yard kickoff return touchdown.
Stephon Gadsden was picked off on the Griffins’ opening drive of the second half. The interception led way to a 25-yard Brown touchdown run, his second of the night. Fairfield was still trailing 20-9 late in the third when Will Barber made an 80-yard punt return. Barber was dragged down at the five-yard line, but a two-yard Stephon Gadsden pass to JR Edmonds finished the deal.
Chester wideout Zion Mills helped squash the Griffins comeback efforts with a 25-yard rush on the next drive. An additional 15 yards were tacked on to the end of the run because of a facemask penalty. Brown scored a two-yard touchdown on the next play and put Chester back up by two scores.
Gadsden was picked off again late in the fourth quarter, which allowed Chester to add the final shot. A 36-yard Stan Mils pass allowed Brown to add a four-yard touchdown to stat sheet. The score was Brown’s third of the game.
The Griffins wrap up their regular season Friday at Indian Land.
SCORING
FCHS– 3-6-0-6-15
CHS– 6-8-6-14-34
INDIVIVDUAL STATS
Rushing: CHS – Stan Mills 25-150, Pha’leak Brown 14-102, Emmanuel Wright 13-43, Zan’Jerry Dunham 4-28, Ja’Rel Hill 1-28. FCHS – Will Barber 8-28, Chris Suber 7-15, Devin Johnson 1-4, Stephon Gadsden 1-(-2),
Receiving:. CHS – Ja’Rell Hill 2-76. FCHS- JR Edmonds 2-11, CJ Simmons 1-10, Knija Bagley 1-10, Jacob McManus 1-5,Justice Boyd 1-4, Will Barber 1-1.
Passing: CHS – Stan Mills 2-5, 76 yards, one touchdown. Zan’Jerry Dunham 0-1.FCHS – Stephon Gadsden 7-17, 41 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions.