Eagles flex in season opener

WINNSBORO – Richard Winn Academy got their 2019 season started in grand fashion on Friday night with a 52-0 win over Cathedral Academy. The Eagles led 42-0 at half, and the teams played eight-minute running clock quarters in the second half.

Joey Banister (18) turns the corner behind a block. | Millie Lambert

Cathedral started the game with a three-and-out. Following an illegal substation penalty against Cathedral, junior quarterback Zack Taylor hit junior running back Joey Banister with a 47-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion run by senior Brandon Miller was good and the Eagles led 8-0.

Cathedral fumbled the following kickoff, and Richard Winn recovered at Cathedral’s three-yard line. Miller ran it in for a touchdown. The PAT was good, making it 15-0 with 9:17 to play in the opening quarter.

The Eagles led 28-0 after one quarter following a Dru Caldwell touchdown pass to Hudson Wade and another Taylor touchdown pass, this time to Derek Branham.

The second quarter saw two more touchdowns, both runs – one by Caldwell to put the Eagles up 35-0, and another by B Baker making it 42-0 with 6:01 to play in the half.

Miller opened the second half with a 61-yard touchdown run to extend the lead 49-0. The Eagles later added a field goal from 28 yards out by Miller.

Cathedral Academy never tallied a first down in the game as it finished with -53 total yards (-72 rush yards and 19 passing yards). Richard Winn totaled seven first downs and 267 yards (160 yards rushing and 107 yards passing). Taylor finished the game going two of two passing for 64 yards and two touchdowns while Caldwell went seven of seven for 43 yards and one touchdown. Miller was the leading rusher with two carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Banister had the most receiving yards with 47 on one catch and a touchdown. Cameron Bass was the star on defense as he had three and a half sacks.

The Eagles travel to take on Northside Christian on Sept. 6 at 7:30.

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