Will Samuel (3) charges up the middle and applies the pressure to the South Pointe quarterback. | Leroy Howard
ROCK HILL – The Westwood Redhawks headed into Friday’s night match-up looking to upend South Pointe’s reign of dominance, which includes four consecutive state titles. The Redhawks racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense, and were leading 21-20 heading into the fourth quarter. The Stallions powered forward in the fourth quarter and held on tight for a 32-21 win. South Pointe has not lost a region contest since 2013.
Westwood fell into an early hole. Joe Ervin’s 22-yard rushing touchdown gave South Pointe the lead just a minute into the game. The Stallions followed up a few minutes later with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Tahleek Steele to Isaac Ross. The Redhawks remained scoreless until late in the first.
Ahmon Green brought Westwood back within a touchdown after delivering a seven-yard pass to Cortes Braham. Westwood still trailed by seven as the first quarter came to a close, but with 12 seconds remaining, Deshawn Boyd powered into the end-zone from 10 yards out.
The Redhawks only trailed by a point when the second quarter began, but then the dangerous Stallion back struck again. Ervin rattled off a 37-yard touchdown to push the Stallion lead to 20 -12.
Time was winding down in the first half when the Redhawks cut into the lead again. South Pointe hoisted a punt with under two minutes remaining, and TJ Blanding waited to field the kick. Blanding took the punt and skated into the end-zone for a 53-yard touchdown return.
After halftime, David Strother split the uprights on a 24-yard field goal to give the Redhawks their first and only lead of the game. Westwood took the slim 21-20 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Westwood’s lead lasted until a 28-yard touchdown pass from Tahleek Steele to Ty Good at the seven-minute mark. Less than two minutes later, Ervin put the game out of reach on a one-yard touchdown.
The Redhawks will be back at home this week to host York High.
SCORING
SPHS– 13-7-0-12-32
WHS– 12-6-3-0-21
FIRST QUARTER
SPHS – Joe Ervin 22 run (Wyatt Grantham kick).11:06.
SPHS– Isaac Ross 48 pass from Tahleek Steele (W.Grantham kick no good).7:22.
WHS – Cortes Braham 7 pass from Ahmon Green (David Strother III kick no good).3:09.
WHS – Deshawn Boyd 10 run (Two-point conversion no good).:12.
TWO QUARTER
SPHS – J.Ervin 37 run (W.Grantham kick).9:16.
WHS – T.J. Blanding 53 punt return (Two-point conversion no good).1:40.
THIRD QUARTER
WHS -David Strother 24 field goal.6:32.
FOURTH QUARTER
SPHS– Ty Good 28 pass from T.Steele (Two-point conversion no good).7:21.
SPHS – J.Ervin 1 run (Two-point conversion no good).6:09.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
RUSHING: WHS-Deshawn Boyd 14-92, Jalen Briggman 5-17, Ahmon Green 9-15, Cortes Braham 1-2, Christian Horn 1-2. SPHS- Joe Ervin 20-158, Marice Whitlock 8-31, Omega Blake 1-14, Quay Chambers 1-2, Tahleek Steele 4-(-3),
RECEIVING: WHS- Cortes Braham 7-132, Christian Horn 5-87, Cam Atkins 4-59, Cameron Smith 1-54, TJ Blanding 2-12. SPHS- Isaac Ross 5-92, Marice Whitlock 4-21, Ty Good 1-28, Joe Ervin 1-6, Raseac Myles 1-6.
PASSING: WHS- Ahmon Green 18-34, 290 yards, one touchdown, one interception. Cam Atkins 1-1, 54 yards. Cortes Braham 1-1, 23 yards. SPHS – Tahleek Steele 13-22, 171 yards, two touchdowns.
