03/28/2024
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West Bladen High School LogoWest Bladen’s version of a MASH unit will travel to Union tonight to kick-off their Four County Conference schedule.

“We are really beat up,” said Knight Coach Russell Dove. “We’ve had more people go down with injuries in the last 3 weeks than in my first 3 years here.”

The Knights are expected to have senior De’quan Lennon back, although at a somewhat limited capacity.  “De’quan is going to play on defense with a soft cast,” said Coach Dove. “I don’t know how much he will be able to play on offense.”

Coach Dove went on to point out that the Knights will still be without senior fullback Malique McDowell and at least three more starters. McDowell leads the Knight offense with 378 yards rushing.

Junior James Moore has rushed for 284 yards, and sophomore B. J. Drake has totaled 283 rushing yards – 160 of those coming in the Knights 43-20 win over St. Pauls. Senior quarterback Stefan McDonald has thrown for 127 yards.

Junior defensive back Ricky McLaurin, junior linebacker Hunter Pait and senior lineman Matthew Sturgill lead the Knight defense.

Since re-alignment two years ago, the Knights have won both meetings against the Spartans 50-21 last year and 41-34 at Union in 2013.

Union has beaten Jones Senior, Hobbton and Princeton by a combined margin of 34-4 after dropping their opener 7-0 at Lakewood.

Junior running back Chris Nash leads the Union ground game with 317 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Senior speedster Shyquan Brunson has rushed for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns. Junior Tamah Chestnutt has run for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Dawson Thornton has thrown for 169 yards and 4 touchdowns. Junior Nadir Goodwin has 5 catches for 35 yards and senior Jawawn Newkirk has 2 receptions for 44 yards.

“They have got some skill people who are really quick,” said Coach Dove. “If they get a seam, they are gone.”

Junior linebacker Montrel Williams leads the Spartan defense with 46 tackles. Nash has 33 tackles from his safety position, and huge nose guard Andruw Brunson, a 380-pounder, has 27 tackles.

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