This past Friday night the Newberry football team almost found a way to knock off top-ranked Williston.
The Red Devils (7-0) scored on a trick play with 47 seconds left to stun the Panthers, 24-22, to stay unbeaten.
Williston finished the game with 294 yards on the ground, led by junior Jamari Williams with 160 yards on 10 carries.
Newberry finished with 457 total yards, including 157 yards rushing on 21 carries by sophomore running back Kaleb Woods, and 242 yards passing by sophomore quarterback Keil McGriff.
“They’re (Newberry) a dangerous team,” said Williston coach Robby Pruitt, who is trying to win another football state title. “That quarterback, and they’ve got three really good wideouts. I’m telling you, they’re talented. I know Hawthorne beat them but they’re a lot better. They’ve got people in different positions and they’re better than they were at that point in the year.”
Heading into the game, Williston, Hawthorne (6-0) and Newberry were the top three Class 1R teams, respectively, in the FHSAA football rankings, which are released every Tuesday.
Hawthorne defeated Newberry, 40-10, on the road on Sept. 1, so the Panthers’ (4-2) only losses have come against the top two teams in their region.
“I think they’re the two best teams in 1R, definitely,” said Newberry coach Ed Johnson. “We’re a really good team but we’re not there yet so I think it’s motivation, something for us to learn from. If you want to be a state champion you’re going to have to beat teams like Hawthorne and Williston.”
Defense is once again setting the tone for the defending state champion Hornets, who are only allowing 9.8 points per game.
“Defensively, we have been flying around and playing physical, Hawthorne football,” said Hawthorne defensive coordinator Dustin Adkins. “It is always easy to go back and watch film and nitpick the little details, which we do on a weekly basis, but it is fun to…
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