West Bladen’s Knights look to recover from last week’s first loss of the season and get back on the winning track at home Friday night against a St. Pauls team that is looking for its first win.
Four lost first-half fumbles paved the way for 35 Whiteville points before intermission in last week’s 35-6 West Bladen loss.
The last two meetings between St. Pauls and West Bladen have been decided in the final minute. Stephon McDonald’s leaping catch of a fourth down, 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Colby Lewis on the last play of the game gave the Knights a 27-21 victory last season.
Two years ago West Bladen appeared to have sealed a 22-16 victory when Ed Owens intercepted a Bulldog pass, but a roughing the passer penalty kept the St. Pauls drive alive, and the Bulldogs scored in the final minute to pull out a 24-22 win. Over the last ten years the Bulldogs and Knights have split their games against each other evenly with each team winning 5 times.
Prior to Friday’s disappointment against Whiteville, the Knights had rolled to wins of 46-0 over St. Pauls and 53-24 at West Columbus.
McDonald has moved to quarterback from receiver and has thrown for 66 yards and a touchdown in his three starts. The senior signal-caller has also run for 3 touchdowns.
Senior Malique McDowell leads the Knight ground game and has rushed for 378 yards and 5 touchdowns. Junior James Moore has totaled 193 yards rushing and has scored 4 rushing touchdowns.
Senior Da’quan Lennon who has rushed for 202 yards and a touchdown is expected to miss his second straight game with an arm injury. B. J. Drake filled in for Lennon and ran for 93 yards against Whiteville last week.
Senior Matthew Sturgill leads the Knight defense with 9 tackles and a fumble recovery. Juniors Hunter Pait and Ricky McLaurin and sophomore Raekwon Shaw have 6 tackles each on the season. Shaw also has a fumble recovery.
Senior David Gittens leads the pass rush with 2 sacks, and junior Luis Ramirez has the Knights’ only pass interception.
St. Pauls has been hammered 55-6 by Grays Creek, 26-8 by Douglas Byrd and 54-10 by East Bladen. The Bulldogs lost starting quarterback Cody McKenna for the season in the Byrd game.
Sophomore quarterback Tommy Jackson threw for 81 yards against East Bladen and also ran for a touchdown. Sophomore Noah Wheeler caught 3 passes for 42 yards against the Eagles, and senior Renardo Jackson had 2 catches for 32 yards.
Seniors Trey Thompson and Christian Edwards lead the Bulldog ground game.
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