WINNSBORO – Richard Winn hosted the Oakbrook Prep Knights from Spartanburg on Tuesday, October 15, in a makeup contest originally scheduled for September 27. The Knights received the opening kickoff from Josh Tyndall at their own 41 yard line. Knights quarterback Bryce Horton struggled early and ended the first drive with an interception to Charlie Bonds.
Bonds led the Eagles’ opening drive 52 yards with a strong ground attack, climaxed by a 29 yard run by Eli Smith for a touchdown. Tyndall’s PAT kick put the Eagles ahead 7-0.
A 15 yard penalty for fair catch interference gave the Knights excellent field position on the next kickoff, and Horton started the Knights at the Eagles’ 38 yard line. After gaining a first down on a keeper to the 21 yard line, Horton lost five yards on two consecutive plays. An intentional grounding penalty against Horton on 4th and long resulted in a turnover on downs.
On 1st and 10, Bonds handed the ball to Smith who shed tackles 59 yards on the way to the end zone. Tyndall’s extra point gave the Eagles a 14-0 lead.
The Eagle defense held the Knights to three-and-out on the next possession around midfield. Bonds’ first run of the series was negated by a holding penalty, but Bonds gained 14 yards on the next play on a designed run. From the 31 yard line, Bonds connected with Tyndall for a score. Tyndall’s kick sent the Eagles up 21-0.
Richard Winn’s defense forced a punt on the Knights’ next drive, and Tyndall returned the kick 38 yards to the Knights’ 21 yard line. On first down, Bonds found an open Johnathan Bonds for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Tyndall’s kick was blocked by Horton, but the Eagles led by 27.
The Knights continued to struggle on the next drive, as Ny Houston fumbled a Horton pitch that was scooped up by Bennett Nicholson who scurried 40 yards for a defensive score. A fake PAT kick executed by Bonds to Jake Gaillard put the Eagles up 35-0 at the end of the first quarter.
A personal foul penalty against the Eagles during the kickoff put the Knights at their own 43 yard line. Horton completed two run plays of 37 and 19 yards respectively before running the ball one yard across the goal line. Horton converted for two points and the Knights were on the board, 35-8.
Nicholson returned the Knights onside kick off to the Oakbrook Prep 30 yard line. Bonds handed the ball to Hoffman Sharpe who was untouched on his way to the end zone. Tyndall missed the PAT kick, but the Eagles led 41-8.
The Knights moved the ball on offense to the Eagle 28 yard line before a defensive sack on 4th and long gave the Eagles the ball back at their own 31 yard line. Smith took the handoff 50 yards to the Knights’ 19 yard line. Two plays later, Smith took a pitch from Bonds seven yards for a score. Tyndall’s kick put the Eagles up by 40 points. The Knights failed to score on their next possession as time ran out in the first half.
The Eagles received the kickoff to open the second half. Nicholson replaced Bonds under center and guided the Eagles 60 yards with runs by Dylan Albert, Sharpe, and Dylan Wood. On 3rd and goal at the 1, Nicholson handed the ball to Sharpe for the Eagles’ eighth touchdown of the night. Tyndall’s kick gave the Eagles a 55-8 lead.
Horton and the Knights fought back on the next series, as Horton zigged and zagged 67 yards downfield for the Knights’ second score. Horton’s two-point conversion gave the Knights 16 points as the third quarter ended.
Johnathan Bonds showed speed and tenacity on the following kickoff, receiving the onside kick at the 50 yard line and breaking five tackles on his way to a touchdown. A failed PAT resulted in a 61-16 score.
The Knights’ final scoring drive was all Horton, who ran the ball 65 yards on three plays to the five yard line. Following two busted plays and a loss of five yards, Horton finally found the goal line for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was good, and the Knights would trail 61-24 as time expired.
The Eagles move to 7-0 on the season and begin preparing for their next matchup on Friday, October 25. The Eagles will travel to Laurens to take on the Laurens Academy Crusaders in region play. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm.
