After scoreless first quarter, Emerald outguns Saluda 55-54 in shootout

Greenwood – After a scoreless first quarter, the Emerald and Saluda high school football teams lit up the scoreboard the rest of the night to the tune of 109 points.

    When the dust finally settled and Jamerion Moore had stopped running the football for the Vikings and Avery Coyle threw his last pass for SHS, it was EHS that came away victorious 55-54 at the Emerald field.

    Moore carried the football 28 times for 310 yards and six touchdowns for the Vikings, who improved to 5-1 on the season in their final non-region contest. Coyle tossed six TD passes for 3-2 Saluda, also playing its final region contest, connecting on 20 of 30 passes for 423 yards.

    The game was tied 21-21 at halftime, and EHS took a 35-28 lead into the fourth quarter. Emerald, ranked fourth in the High School Sports Report AAA poll, led 55-41 after a 35-yard scoring run by Moore with 6:19 remaining in the game.

    However, the Tigers scored twice in the final 1:30 of the game. Coyle tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Darryl Hill, and Levi Berry added the extra point to make it 55-48 with 1:21 left.

    SHS, ranked seventh in the AA poll, then recovered an onside kick on the kickoff. Coyle threw a 4-yard TD pass to Mehki Linton with 44 seconds to go. Saluda head coach Greg Woerner decided to go for the win, but running back Tristan Daniels’ fell incomplete as the Vikings held on for the win.

    EHS quarterback Beau Hite completed 10 of 16 passes for 158 yards and two scores. Desiray Christian Jr. had eight receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown, while Coleman Marino had three catches for 52 yards and the other TD. Keirion Brown had four grabs for 33 yards.

    Hill was Coyle’s favorite target, finishing with eight receptions for 216 yards and three of the touchdown catches. Ceddion Springs had five catches for 111 yards and a TD, Jahmeer Myers had four grabs for 51 yards and a score, and Linton had three receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown.

    Springs also rushed for 108 yards and two TDs on just three carries.

    Batesburg-Leesville 35

    Clinton 28

    Batesburg-Leesville – Batesburg-Leesville trailed AA No. 3 Clinton 28-13 entering the fourth quarter but scored 15 minutes to force overtime and then completed the comeback in overtimer for a 35-28 triumph and its first win of the season on Friday at The Pit.

    The Panthers’ Mario Waters scored on a 6-yard run to cut the Red Devils’ lead to 28-19. Kentravius Green caught a pass from Terrance Cook for the 2-point conversion to make it 28-21.

    Batesburg-Leesville put together a 12-play, 67-yard scoring drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by Cook with 16 seconds left in regulation. Leo Gonzales added the extra point to tie the game at 28-28 and force overtime.

    In the overtime, Cook tossed a 10-yard scoring pass to Graham Pierce to make it 35-28. The Panthers then held 3-2 CHS on its possession to get the win.

    Cook had an outstanding all-around game. He rushed for 113 yards and two TDs on 16 carries while completing 10 of 22 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns.

    Pierce had both of the scoring receptions, finishing with six catches for 147 yards. Waters rushed for 75 yards and a score on 14 attempts.

    Leading the way for Clinton was Angelo Cromer. He rushed for 125 yards and a TD on 18 carries. Owen Glenn rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown on six totes while completing 7 of 12 passes for 123 yards and score.

    Damajia Crooks had four catches for 85 yards and a TD. Camden Gregory ran for a touchdown.

   North Myrtle Beach 22

    Wilson 7

    Florence – North Myrtle Beach improved to 6-0 overall with a 22-7 victory over Wilson on Friday at the WHS field.

    The Chiefs, ranked third in the AAAA poll, are 2-0 in Region 7-AAAA. The Tigers fell to 2-4 and 0-2.

    Jayden Wilson led NMB with 135 yards and a touchdown on just five carries. Mason Walker passed for 108 yards and a score while completing 6 of 9 passes. Evan Barrett was 5 of 7 for 41 yards.

Taron Scott had five receptions for 59 yards, while Anthony Cimino had three catches for 67 yards, including the TD.

Nico Miller booted two field goals. Jimm McCullough had seven tackles to lead the defense.

    South Florence 46

    Myrtle Beach 20

    Myrtle Beach – Cameron James rushed for 233 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries as South Florence beat Myrtle Beach 46-20 on Friday at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.

    The Bruins won their fourth straight game after opening the season 0-2. Ranked 10th in the AAAA poll, they are 2-0 in Region 7-AAAA. The Seahawks fell to 2-4 and 0-2.

    SFHS quarterback De’eric Davis rushed for 78 yards and two scores on seven carries while completing 6 of 8 passes for 51 yards. Malik Robinson had five catches for 55 yards.

    Zachary Gordon, Josh Gantt and Davey Greene each had two quarterback sacks to lead the defense.

Silver Bluff 33

    Barnwell 8

    Aiken – Barnwell fell to 2-4 on the season with a 33-8 loss to Silver Bluff on Friday at the SBHS field.

    Torye Pickens ran for 53 yards and scored the Warhorses’ only touchdown on 15 carries. Quarterback Josiah Gibson ran for 32 yards and passed for 61.

    Silver Bluff improved to 2-3.