WINNSBORO – On Friday, Sept. 10, the Richard Winn Eagles closed out their third game of the 2021 season with a home victory at Ruff Field over region foe King Academy of Batesburg. The Eagles improved their overall record to 3-0 with a shutout victory, 30-0.
The King Knights just could not find the end zone as the Eagle defense stymied their offense, causing four turnovers while allowing the Knights only 74 yards total in 57 plays on the night.
Opening kickoff went to King, but the Knights quickly found the Eagle defense impenetrable and were forced to turn the ball over on downs following a 4th and 3 play at the 8:15 mark of the first quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, RWA’s senior standout, B. Baker, rushed for the first of his 2 touchdowns on the night. Teammate J Talbert kicked the extra point to put the Eagles up 7-0 with 8:17 left in the opening period.
Once again the Knights were forced to give up the ball when they could not convert on a fourth down play. RWA made steady progress down the field before time expired in the first quarter with the Eagles up 7-0.
However, in early second quarter action, the Knight defense hung tough as RWA was forced to turn the ball over on downs. King’s offense again sputtered and gave out as they punted the ball away at the 9:45 mark in the second quarter. Baker was still the “man of the hour” as he received the punt, and then in two successive plays carried the ball across the goal line for his second rushing touchdown with 9:17 remaining before halftime. A fake field goal attempt by Talbert resulted in a two point conversion run, putting the Eagles up 15-0.
The two teams exchanged possession of the ball a couple more times before the first half ended with neither team getting on the scoreboard before halftime. RWA went into the locker room with a 15-0 halftime lead.
For most of the third quarter action, the teams were plagued by turnovers and penalties until late in the quarter when Caulder found teammate Drew Spires in the air for a 30 yard touchdown completion. Caulder then passed to Baker for the two point conversion, putting the Eagles up 23-0 with 1:16 left in the third period.
In the final period, Caulder called his own number back-to-back times to score from short yardage, and Talbert kicked the PAT to go ahead 30-0 and close out the game’s scoring before the final buzzer.
Quarterback Landon Caulder was good on 7 of 14 attempts in the air for 47 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 2-pt. conversion passes as well as picking up an 11 yards on the ground and a rushing TD to his credit. Baker led the offensive charge with 2 touchdowns and a 2-pt. conversion while racking up 155 yards on 20 carries, 10 yards on two receptions as well as leading the defense with 12 tackles. Junior Michael Poole is credited with 9 tackles. Talbert also made his presence known on defense with 8 tackles, and senior teammates Brian King (7 tackles and 1 fumble recovery), Colton Hatchell (5 tackles), and Matt Tate (4 tackles and a sack). In addition to his receiving touchdown, Spires had a total of 32 yards receiving and a pass deflection. Backup quarterback Charlie Bonds completed 3 of 5 passes for 17 yards.
W.W. King – 0-0-0-0 – 0
Richard Winn -7-8-8-7 – 30
First quarter
RW – B. Baker run (J Talbert kick) 8:17
Second quarter
RW – Baker run (Talbert 2 pt. conversion run) 9:17
Third quarter
RW –Landon Caulder pass to Drew Spires (Baker 2 pt. conversion pass) 1:16
Fourth quarter
RW – Caulder run (Talbert kick) 8:06
