By John Clark
BLADENBORO – Quarterback Andrew Wren connected with Gaston Russ on a 53-yard touchdown pass that lifted Bladenboro to a 16-8 victory over Elizabethtown Tuesday night in the final Waccamaw Middle School Conference football game for both teams.
With the score knotted 8-8, the Bulldogs’ Aiden Thompson sacked the Cougar quarterback for a 5-yard loss on 4th down at midfield. Two plays later Wren tossed a quick pass over the line to Russ who outran the defenders to the end zone. Sincere McKinley took a direct snap and charged through the line for the 2-point conversion and a 16-8 Bulldog lead with 7:51 remaining.
Jayden Lewis broke loose for 16 yards, and Prince McKoy picked up 12 yards as the Cougars drove 37 yards to the Bladenboro 35 yard line. However linebackers McKinley and Devan Stanley dropped Elizabethtown runners for consecutive 3-yard losses forcing the Cougars to turn the ball over on downs in the final minute.
McKinley sparked the Bulldogs attack carrying 11 times for 110 yards, a touchdown and a pair of 2-point conversions. Lewis rushed 13 times for 93 yards and a conversion to lead the Cougars. McKoy rushed 9 times for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Lewis ripped off runs of 16, 6 and 5 yards on the Cougars’ opening drive, but Bladenboro’s Ashton Bryan recovered an Elizabethtown fumble at the Bladenboro 16 yard line to end the threat.
The Bulldogs responded with an 84-yard drive in 8 plays highlighted by McKinley runs of 20, 16, 8 and 17 yards. McKinley darted 8 yards to the left pylon for the touchdown on the 2nd play of the 2nd quarter. McKinley banged into the end zone for the conversion and an 8-0 lead.
The Cougars answered with a 52-yard drive in 6 plays. Lewis rambled 18 yards to start the drive, and a facemask penalty added 15 more. McKoy dashed 11 yards for the touchdown, and Lewis plowed through the line for the conversion that tied the game 8-8 1:04 before halftime.
After recovering the Cougars onside kick, the Bulldogs quickly reached the Elizabethtown 20 yard line when Jameel McKiver scooted around left end for 19 yards. However the drive stalled as the half ended.
The Bulldogs covered 38 yards in 8 plays on their initial possession of the 2nd half aided by a facemask penalty and highlighted by Jace Lesane’s 14-yard run before being stopped on downs.
Coach Steve Thurman’s Bulldogs ended their season with a 4-3 record, while the Cougars finished 3-4.
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