HOLLY HILL – Richard Winn was on the road for the second week in a row, traveling to Holly Hill this past Friday to face off against last year’s State Champion Holly Hill Academy Raiders. Holly Hill received the opening kickoff and wasted no time crossing the goal line on a 46-yard run by Tyree James. Holly Hill converted the two-point attempt and the Raiders led 8-0.
Richard Winn answered immediately as quarterback Charlie Bonds capped a three-play, 49-yard drive by scampering 44 yards to the end zone. Drew Spires converted the two-point play to tie the score 8-8.
Holly Hill scored twice more in the first quarter. The Raiders completed a five-play, 60-yard drive with a 14-yard run by James, and again converted for two points. Later in the quarter, Ashton Soles found Mason Rudd open for a 35-yard touchdown pass. The Eagles stopped the two-point conversion, but Holly Hill led 22-8.
Neither team would score again in the first half.
Richard Winn received the kickoff to open the second half, and Bonds again led the Eagles down the field for the score, connecting with Spires on a 25-yard touchdown pass. The Eagles trailed by eight after failing to convert the two-point attempt.
Later in the third quarter, Holly Hill concluded a six-play, 55-yard drive with a two-yard run by James, and completed the two-point conversion to take a 30-14 lead.
Richard Winn prevented Holly Hill from scoring through the remainder of the quarter, but the Raiders struck once more with less than a minute remaining in the game. Rudd ran the ball two yards for the score, and a completed point-after put the Raiders ahead 37-14.
With time running out, Bonds courageously led the Eagles 50 yards downfield, scoring with just seven seconds left on the clock. Bonds completed an 18-yard strike to Spires for a touchdown. Bonds converted for two points and the Eagles trailed the Raiders 37-22 as time expired.
Bonds completed seven of 22 passing attempts for 128 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions. Bonds had one rushing touchdown, amassing 70 yards on 14 carries. Spires was the lone receiver in the contest, catching all seven of Bonds’ passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Landon Smith and JT Wilkes led the Eagle defense with six tackles each.
The Eagles look to rebound on Friday, September 22, as they host King Academy at Ruff Field in Winnsboro. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm.
