ROWLAND – West Bladen’s defense shutout South Robeson 35-0 Friday night in the non-conference football opener for both teams.
It was a win for Coach Todd Pait in his first game in charge of the Knight varsity. “The defense was phenomenal,” said Pait. “That was the best West Bladen defense that I have seen in a while. Coach (Taurius) Baker did a great job with them.”
Senior Weston Pidgeon tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass to junior Davon Swindell for the first Knight touchdown. Junior Scott Bowen kicked the first of 5 straight extra points to give West Bladen a 7-0 first quarter lead.
Following a Mustang turnover in the second quarter, Pidgeon kept the ball and dashed 6 yards for a Knight touchdown. Bowen tacked on the extra point for a 14-0 lead.
“We had some first game jitters,” said Coach Pait. “A lot of penalties. We would have two good plays then a penalty. We had two touchdowns called back.”
Pidgeon threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to senior T. J. Kemp for a third quarter Knight touchdown. Bowen again converted as the lead grew to 21-0.
Senior James Moore galloped 75 yards for the next Knight touchdown as the fourth quarter began. Bowen’s kick grew the lead to 28-0.
Junior Michael Hepburn set up the final West Bladen touchdown with a 14-yard run then carried 4 yards to the end zone for the score. Bowen nailed the conversion for the final 35-0 margin.
Moore finished with 132 yards and a touchdown on 14 rushes to lead the Knight offense. Junior B. J. Drake carried ten times for 81 yards.
Pidgeon completed 5 of 13 passes for 66 yards. Swindell caught 2 passes for 29 yards and a touchdown, and Kemp grabbed 2 passes for 26 yards and a touchdown. Moore had one reception for 11 yards.
Senior defensive end Trent West blocked a punt, recovered a fumble and had one sack. “Trent really played well,” noted Coach Pait. Junior Bryan Haro also recovered a fumble for the Knights.
In addition to his five conversion kicks, Bowen punted 4 times for a 35-yard average, including a 48-yarder on his first attempt.
“We got the offense going in the second half,” said Pait. “The defense was ready to go from the start. We just have to cut out the penalties and keep improving.”
West Bladen will entertain West Columbus Friday in their home opener at 7 p.m.
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