Dashawn Boyd (10) speeds up field against the Belton-Honea Path Bears. | Debbie Rogers, News-Chronicle
HONEA PATH – Westwood slipped into the four-seed for the South Carolina High School League 4A State Playoffs, and their first round matchup had them pitted against the number-one seeded Belton-Honea Path Bears. The Redhawks defense put a clamp on Belton-Honea Path all game long, and Cam Atkins’s two touchdowns sparked Westwood to a 20-3 opening round victory.
Westwood made the sole scoring threat in the first quarter, and they moved the ball inside the Bears 12-yard line. They were not able to capitalize, and the possession ended on a turnover on downs.
Belton-Honea Path running back Xavier Nance broke the Bear’s next possession wide open with a 44-yard run to the Westwood 20-yard line. The Bears made their way to the 10-yard line, but were forced to settle on a 20-yard field goal.
The Redhawks started their next possession on their own 40-yard line after a solid kickoff return. Later in the drive, Ahmon Green hooked up with Cortes Braham for a 16-yard touchdown pass.
After a series of punts drained most of the clock in the second quarter, the Redhawks threatened again. Westwood was inside the Bears 40-yard line with less than ten seconds left, but the last second pass was intercepted.
The first of Cam Atkins’s two touchdowns came in the late third quarter. Atkins powered in from two-yards out and capped off a lengthy Westwood drive. Bears quarterback Camden Bratcher sparked the Bear’s next drive with a long ball to Avery Reece, and landed his team in position to get back in the game.
Westwood’s defense put an end to threat with an interception, and Atkins cashed in on the turnover with a one-yard touchdown. Atkins’s touchdown run was set-up by a long Ahmon Green pass.
Belton-Honea Path trailed 20-3 headed into the final quarter, but two more fourth quarter interceptions silenced any comeback attempts. Atkins, TJ Blanding and Reggie Harry each recorded an interception.
SCORING
WHS– 0-6-14-0–20
BHP– 0-3-0-0-3
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: WHS – Deshawn Boyd 14-76, Cam Atkins 10-62, Ahmon Green 12-32, Jalen Briggman 4-12, Kryie Jamison 4-10, Cortes Braham 1-(-8).
Receiving: WHS – Cortes Braham 7-153, Cam Atkins 2-26, Emmanuel Youmans 2-26, Daquan Wise 1-5.
Passing: WHS – Ahmon Green 12-23, 210 yards, one touchdown, one interception.