WINNSBORO – The Richard Winn Academy Eagles defeated the Wardlaw Academy Patriots for the third time this year to move just one win away from a perfect season and a state championship in SCISA 8-man football.
Wardlaw won the coin toss and elected to receive. The Patriots’ quarterback Colt Bailey led a five-play, 54-yard drive to score in the first two minutes of the game. Bailey’s two point attempt failed, but the Patriots maintained a 6-0 lead throughout the first quarter.
The Eagles responded in the second quarter after quarterback Charlie Bonds led the Eagles 89 yards to the end zone. From twelve yards out, Bonds kept the ball himself and dove to the right pylon to put the Eagles on the board. Bonds’ two-point play was good and Richard Winn led 8-6. The seven-play drive took just over four minutes and reflected the Eagles’ exceptional clock management throughout the game.
Bennett Nicholson helped the Eagles regain possession, intercepting a Bailey pass and running out of bounds at the Richard Winn 35 yard line. 11 plays later, Eli Smith carried the ball four yards for the score. Bonds’ two-point conversion put the Eagles up 16-6 with 44 seconds remaining in the half.
Dylan Albert recovered Josh Tyndall’s pooch kick to give the Eagles possession at the Wardlaw 32 yard line. With under 20 seconds remaining, Nicholson took the ball 29 yards for a touchdown. C Bonds connected with Jonathan Bonds for two points, and Richard Winn was ahead 24-6 going into halftime.
Wardlaw scored again in the third quarter on a 71-yard run by Bailey. Again the two-point conversion failed.
Tyndall returned the Wardlaw kickoff 15 yards to the Richard Winn 35 yard line with 5:37 left in the third quarter. Bonds directed a 14-play, 10-minute drive to the end zone, giving the Eagles a 31-12 lead.
The Eagle defense shut down the Patriots’ final drive with back-to-back sacks, forcing a punt and solidifying Richard WInn’s place in the State Championship game.
Eagles Head Coach Paul Brigman highlighted the enthusiasm on the Richard Winn sideline: “Our guys came out excited to play on Friday night. They knew what a win meant, and they went out and played very well against a very tough team.”
The Eagles accrued 366 yards of total offense and held the Patriots to just 231 offensive yards. Bonds was three for six passing for 44 yards, and rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Smith ran the ball 25 times for 125 yards and a score. Tyndall caught one pass for 32 yards. Nicholson also scored from twenty-nine yards.
Jake Gaillard led the defense with 11 tackles, one for loss, and an interception. JT Wilkes recorded eight tackles with a sack. Aaron Geddings also recorded a sack with five tackles. Albert and Tyndall had four tackles apiece and Albert recovered a fumble. Nicholson also recorded his fourth interception in as many games.
The Eagles will face Laurens Academy in the season finale, and return to the state championship game for the first time since 2020. Eagles Head Coach Paul Brigman said, “We are excited to have the opportunity to play in the State Championship game. We set goals early in the year to make it to State and are all proud of the accomplishment.”
The SCISA 8-man Football State Championship game between Richard Winn Academy and Laurens Academy will be hosted by W.W. King Academy in Batesburg on Friday, November 22. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm.
