JOHNSTON – The Richard Winn Eagles traveled to Johnston last Friday evening, needing to win by 15 or more points in order to come away as the region champions. After a shaky start, they put up that and more, taking down the Patriots 47-28.
The Eagles trailed by a 22-7 score with 9:57 to play in the second quarter before putting together a 40-6 run over 33:57 minutes of game time.
Wardlaw got out to 8-0 lead with a three play, 63-yard drive capped by a 54-yard run by the Mason Burgess. Richard Winn gained 34-yards of offense before fumbling the ball away. The Eagles then forced the Patriots into a punt, but a bad snap set the Eagles up on the nine-yard line, two plays later they scored to cut the deficit to one at 8-7.
Wardlaw scored the next 14 points to take a 22-7 lead. Richard Winn finally got back on the board at the 1:31 mark of the second quarter, then recovered an onside kick to get the ball right back. Three plays and 35 yards later, the Eagles made it 22-20 at the half.
Richard Winn took the opening kick of the second half and scored on three plays and 53 yards. A 42-yard pass from Zack Taylor to Brandon Miller was a big play, setting up a five-yard touchdown toss from Taylor to Miller. All 53 yards came through the air on passes to Miller. The Eagles went up 28-22. Wardlaw scored on its first play of the next drive to tie the score at 28-28. Richard Winn then went on a 19-0 run to finish the game off.
Richard Winn’s scores came on a four yard pass from Taylor to Hudson Wade, then a 45-yard pass from Taylor to Miller and the final score was a two-yard run from Taylor for a 47-28 final.
The Eagles outgained Wardlaw by a 363-299 yards in total offense. The Patriots outrushed the Eagles 278-149, while Richard Winn outgained Wardlaw by a 214-21-yard advantage through the air. Taylor led the Eagles’ passing attack by going 18-25 for 214 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Miller was Richard Winn’s leading receiver in yards with 99 on four catches and two touchdowns. He also rushed 19 times for 119 yards and one touchdown. B Baker had seven catches for 51 yards and Wade had five for 47 yards and two touchdowns.
The win gives Richard Winn a 9-1 record overall; 6-1 in region play.
Taylor finished the regular season with 731 yards passing and 15 touchdowns with one interception. Miller finished as the leading rusher with 1810 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns, while Wade finished as the leader in yards receiving with 356 and 12 scores.
