LAKE WACCAMAW – Freshman quarterback Hezekiah Adams racked up 251 yards, threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for 2 more including the game-winner in overtime as West Bladen rallied for a 26-20 non-conference football victory over East Columbus Friday night.
It was the 1st win in the coaching career of Coach Stanley Williams who said, “I am elated, ecstatic and so proud of my team.”
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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong
The Gators had the ball to begin the overtime period, but West Bladen sophomore Cornelius Esters intercepted a pass to end the East Columbus possession.
Tydrick Stewart picked up 5 yards to start West Bladen’s possession, and on the next play Hezekiah Adams dashed into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
The Knights trailed 14-0 at halftime, but Hezekiah Adams darted 11 yards for the 1st West Bladen touchdown that sliced the Gator lead to 14-6 with 8:22 left in the 3rd period.
The Gators answered 2 minutes later as senior quarterback Jr. Stewart hurled a 50-yard touchdown pass to sophomore C. J. Waddell that padded the East lead to 20-6.
East Columbus mounted another threat in the final quarter, but the Knight defense held and stopped the Gators on downs at the West 7 yard line and that triggered the Knight comeback.
Hezekiah Adams threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jabari Adams with 8:40 remaining in the game, and the duo hooked up again on the 2-point conversion pass with Hezekiah passing to Jabari again to slice the Gator lead to 20-14.
The Knights regained possession, and Hezekiah Adams fired a 59-yard touchdown pass to Esters that tied the game 20-20 with 2:57 left to play. A pass for the 2-point conversion failed.
West Bladen had one more chance in regulation as junior Deonte Lacey blocked an East punt with 1:01 on the clock and sophomore Xavier Spaulding recovered the ball. However the Knight threat was stopped by a fumble at the Gator 3 yardline with 42 seconds remaining.
“I didn’t fuss at them at halftime,” said Williams. “I told them we just have to be men. We are going to make mistakes but just have amnesia and try to do what the coaches tell you. Don’t be second-guessing.”
Williams continued, “The offensive line did a phenomenal job in the second half, and the defense held them to just one touchdown.”
Senior Keshawn Ballard led the defensive effort with 9 tackles. Esters totaled 6 tackles and had the key interception in overtime. Lacey made 6 tackles and blocked a punt.
Senior Javonta Matthews was credited with 6 tackles. Spaulding finished with 3 tackles and the recovery of the blocked punt. Tydrick Stewart contributed 3 tackles and intercepted a pass.
Hezekiah Adams completed 6 of 9 passes for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran the ball 10 times for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also threw the 2-point conversion pass.
Tydrick Stewart picked up 52 yards on 16 carries. Jabari Adams gained 38 yards on 7 rushes. Sophomore Jahmar Richardson rushed for 32 yards on 6 attempts, and senior Devon Strange had 3 carries for 19 yards.
Senior J. J. Faulkner raced 22 yards for a 1st quarter Gator touchdown, and senior Jaquan Radford sprinted 45 yards for another East touchdown in the 2nd period that accounted for the 14-0 lead.
Radford finished with 91 yards rushing on 6 carries, and Faulkner ran 12 times for 72 yards. Jr. Stewart completed 10 of 19 passes for 148 yards but suffered 2 interceptions.
The Knights evened their record at 1-1 and will travel to rival East Bladen Friday night to begin Southeastern Athletic Conference play.
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