This story was published before Richard Winn’s Wednesday night game against Holly Hill. The Eagles lost 14-72 to end their playoff run. See The Voice’s Nov. 17 issue for the full story.
WINNSBORO – On Friday, Nov. 4, the Richard Winn Academy Eagles welcomed the post-season like an old friend, taking on the Jefferson Davis Academy Raiders in the first round of the SCISA 8-man football playoffs. Seniors Landon Caulder, Jacob Chaisson, and Michael Poole represented the Eagles at midfield as captains. The Eagles won the toss and deferred possession to the second half.
The Raiders attempted to surprise the Eagles with formation shifts and position substitutions throughout the game, but the Eagle defense proved too much for the Raiders down the stretch. The Eagles held the Raiders to just three touchdowns on 258 yards of total offense. Richard Winn capitalized on penalties and turnovers. The Raiders were flagged 11 times for 95 yards. Lawson Wade, Travis Bonds, Rob Wilson, and Drew Spires intercepted passes that suffocated the Raiders’ momentum and shepherded in three offensive scores.
Connor Little led the Eagle defense with 16 tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack. Wade had 11 tackles and one tackle for loss. Wilson contributed to six stops with two tackles for loss and two sacks. Ethan Steward also recorded a tackle for loss and a sack.
The Raiders could not stop the Eagles’ offensive charge, and the Eagles got stronger as the game developed. Richard Winn scored 42 of their 56 points in the second half. The Eagles relied heavily on the ground attack, running across the goal line five times and gaining 223 yards. The Eagles scored three times in the air, with quarterback Landon Caulder completing seven of 14 passes for 115 yards.
Spires was the leading scorer for the Eagles, rushing for 104 yards on 10 carries and three touchdowns. Spires also caught a 23-yard touchdown pass. Wilson caught two passes for 48 yards and one score, and ran for 54 yards on five attempts, including two runs into the endzone. Wade also hauled in a touchdown pass. Kicker Josh Tindall completed four of six point-after attempts, and Rob Wilson converted two two-point conversions.
The Eagles were set to travel to Holly Hill on Friday, Nov. 11, but the game was rescheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 9 because of Tropical Storm Nicole.
The game will be a rematch – Holly Hill defeated Richard Winn 60-34 in week four of the regular season. The Eagles will have to end the Raiders’ undefeated streak to earn a spot in the State Championship. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm.
Richard Winn – 7-7-19-23 – 56
Jefferson Davis – 6-0-6-6 – 18
FIRST Quarter
RWA – Drew Spires 23 pass from Landon Caulder (Tindall kick) – 6:10
JDA – Nasir Void 11 run (Colson Loadholt run failed) – 3:20
SECOND Quarter
RWA – Rob Wilson 5 run (Tindall kick) – 5:11
THIRD Quarter
RWA – Drew Spires 11 run (Tindall kick) – 10:36
JDA – Colson Loadholt 19 run (Loadholt run failed) – 8:38
RWA – Drew Spires 49 run (Landon Caulder run failed) – 8:20
RWA – Rob Wilson 47 pass from Landon Caulder (Tindall kick failed) – 1:49
FOURTH Quarter
RWA – Drew Spires 1 run (Tindall kick) – 11:54
JDA – Colson Loadholt 73 pass from Paxton Wall (Wall pass failed) – 9:23
RWA – Lawson Wade 12 pass from Landon Caulder (Rob Wilson run) – 5:35
RWA – Rob Wilson 35 run (Wilson run) – 0:32
