RWA shows power in jamboree

WINNSBORO – The Richard Winn football season does not officially kick off until Aug. 24 at Cathedral Academy, but if the RWA-hosted jamboree is any indication, this season could be prosperous for Paul Brigman’s team. Richard Winn went off on Laurens in the part two of the three quarter scrimmage and easily cruised to a 32-0 win. They took on Tri-Academy, headed up former Eagle state-champion head coach Dan Dickerson, in the third quarter, and came out on top of an 8-0 defensive showdown.

“We ran it and we threw it pretty effectively,” Eagles’ head coach Paul Brigman said. “We really did not have a glaring weakness. Some of that may be related to who we were playing but overall we felt like our guys competed hard.”

Brandon Miller (1) was one half of a lethal combination in the Richard Winn backfield. | Martha Ladd

Laurens took down Tri-Academy in the first quarter, but they were not prepared for the powerful Eagles’ running game. Brandon Miller scored a 33-yard touchdown on RWA’s second play from scrimmage, but the touchdown was called back on an illegal block in the back. Miller got the hand off on the next play after the penalty and took it from 14 yards out.

Newcomer Luke Martin made his impact on the Eagles second drive. Martin took the first carry of the drive and charged 45 yards to pay-dirt. The Crusaders had no luck answering back on the other side of the wall with quarterback Thomas Lowry under constant pressure.

Prior to a sold junk-time possession at the end of the game, Laurens’s passing game was completely nullified. Lowry had thrown an interception, been sacked three times and only completed two passes for four yards until their final drive.

“One of the things we pound into these guys’ head is, we want to have the reputation of being a clean team but also a very physical team,” Brigman said. “It’s kind of what we like to hang our hat on and we were at times very physical. We think that sets the tone for everything we do both offensively and defensively.”

Miller put the final two daggers in Laurens from the backfield. He put RWA up 24-0 on a five-yard rushing touchdown. His third touchdown of the quarter came from 34 yards out and gave his team a 32-0 edge.

Tri-County presented the Eagles a much tougher defensive puzzle than the Crusaders. Sophomore Dru Caldwell got the starting nod under center for both quarters and cracked the Tri-County defense early. His 32-yard passing touchdown to Hudson Wade was the only serious misstep in an otherwise perfect defensive quarter.

“Dru Caldwell started and played both quarters. He’s a kid that hasn’t been getting a lot of time, we haven’t worked him with our ones,” Brigman said. “I thought he did exceptional, ran the offense effortlessly. It was a pleasant surprise to see him play so well.”

SCORING

Second Quarter

RWA-Brandon Miller 14 run (Jimmy McKeown from Dru Caldwell kick).9:50.

RWA– Luke Martin 45 run (B.Miller run). 6:50

RWA – B.Miller 5 run (J.Talbert from D.Caldwell). 2:57.

RWA – B.Miller 34 run (L.Martin run) 1:58.

Third Quarter

RWA – D.Caldwell 38 pass to Hudson Wade ( Jake Clyburn from D.Caldwell). 8:52.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: Brandon Miller 8-107, Luke Martin 4-54, J.Talbert 2-4.

Receiving: 1-10. Jake Clyburn 3-38, Jimmy McKeown 2-17, Gavin Douglas 2-12, Joey Banister 2-4, Hudson Wade 1-38, Luke Martin, 1-24, Lawton Crooks 1-18, B.Baker 1-3.

Passing: Dru Caldwell, 14-16, 154 yds, one touchdown.

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