By Robert Driggers
The Colleton Prep Warhawks will advance to the second round of the playoffs after a win over Northside Christian Academy. The War Hawks used a grueling rushing attack and a dominating defense to defeat the Crusaders 27-7.
Neither team scored in the first quarter; although, both teams dove deeply into each other’s territory before turning the ball over on downs.
CPA scored in its first possession of the second quarter, moving the ball 90 yards on nine plays to score on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Cole Davis to Hayden Williams. Connor Nettles kicked the extra point to make the score 7-0 with 7:58 left in the first quarter. Northside answered with a drive for a 21-yard touchdown run with 1:39 left in the half. The score was set up by an interception.
Northside recovered an onside kick to start the second half, but the Warhawks stopped the drive and took over on downs.
CPA scored on its first possession in the second half when Walker Bryan scored on a 48-yard touchdown to make the score 14-7 with 8:46 left in the third quarter. The Warhawks added a 10-yard touchdown run by Cole Davis with 2:36 left in the third quarter to extend the lead to 20-7. Nettles added the point after to make the score 21-7.
With 6:05 left to play, Cole Davis added a one-yard touchdown run, his second of the night, to make the final score 27-7.
The Warhawks finished the night with almost 500 yards of total offense, while limiting the Crusaders to just 176 yards of total offense.
Cole Davis led all rushers with 156 yards on 26 carries. Caleb Davis rushed for 90- yards on 13 carries, while Walker Bryan added 97 yards on eight carries.
Defensively, the Warhawks had a strong showing, allowing the Crusaders only 54 yards of total offense in the second half and never let the Crusaders cross the 50-yard line.
With the win, Colleton Prep will advance to the second round of the play-offs against Beaufort Academy, a team that defeated the Warhawks 20-19 two weeks ago.
Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. this Friday at Beaufort Academy.
