GREENWOOD – Clarendon Hall upset previously undefeated Greenwood Christian by a score of 40-30 on Friday night to improve to 4-1 in conference play and take over second place in the region standings.
The Saints took the opening kickoff and drove right down the field, scoring on a 17-yard Gavin Allan run. After the defense held the Hawks to a three-and-out on their first possession, Dustin Way hit Matthew Corbett across the middle on the next play for a 78-yard touchdown pass to put the Saints up 12-0. The Hawks mounted a drive, but the Saints defense came up with a big stop on 4th down and took over at their own 8. The Saints came up just short on third down and had to punt.
Greenwood Christian took over and drove for a score to cut the lead to 12-8 early in the second quarter. The Saints punted again, but this time pinned the Hawks deep in their own territory. After a quick 3 & out, a fumbled punt snap by the Hawks at their own 10 gave the Saints great field possession. Two plays later, the Saints took advantage of the turnover, scoring on a 2 yard Cody Armstrong run. After another Greenwood punt, Clarendon Hall drove right down the field, scoring on a 41 yard Allan run to go up 26-8 at the half.
The second half proved to be much like the first with big plays and turnovers, with momentum swinging back and forth between the two teams. After forcing the Hawks into a 3 & out on the first possession of the second half, the Saints appeared to be in control, driving down the field with a 1st & 10 at the Hawks 28. But the Hawks forced a turnover, returning a fumble to the Saints 40, then scored on the next play to cut the lead to 26-14. The momentum took a big swing in favor of the Hawks. Greenwood then intercepted a Way pass, returning it to the Saints 39. Four plays later, the Hawks connected on a 32 yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 26-22.
The Saints bounced right back. A 27 yard kickoff return by Ryan Morris set the Saints up with good field position. Way then passed to Allan for a 13 yard gain and connected with Daniel Pappas for a 24 yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 32-22. A great defensive stand gave the Saints the ball back to start the 4th quarter. However, back to back penalties forced the Saints to punt. A fumble snap was recovered by the Saints, but gave the ball over on downs. Greenwood scored two plays later to cut the lead to 32-30.
But the Saints then took control, mounting a time consuming 65 yard drive behind the running of Daniel Pappas and Way with Pappas scoring on a 7 yard run. Way then scored a key 2 point conversion to put the Saints up 40-30. The Saints defense stopped the Hawks, forcing a fumble which was recovered by Matthew Corbett. The Saints took over with 5:41 left in the game and drove 69 yards to the 1 yard line before allowing the clock to run out.
The Saints totaled 325 yards rushing and 172 passing for 507 total yards for the game. Dustin Way went 6 for 9 passing for 156 yards and two touchdowns with 1 interception. He rushed 15 times for 90 yards and two 2pt conversions. Gavin Allan rushed 11 times for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns and caught 3 passes for 21 yards. Daniel Pappas added 78 yards and a TOUCHDOWN on 14 carries and had 2 receptions for 57 yards and a TOUCHDOWN. Matthew Corbett had two catches for 94 yards and a TOUCHDOWN. Cody Armstrong added a TOUCHDOWN run.
On defense, the Saints were led by Daniel Pappas with 16 tackles, Mac Davis with 15, & Trey Thomas with 14. Ryan Morris added 12 & Matthew Corbett 11. Corbett & Pappas each had a fumble recovery & Pappas had four QB pressures. Thomas had two tackles for loss. The defense held Greenwood to 216 yards rushing and 47 passing and forced three turnovers.
The Saints improve to 5-1 on the season, 4-1 in the region. The next game is 7:30 p.m. Friday at James Island Christian.
