By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
It was a close game until 90 seconds said it was not.
Emerald gave Woodruff its first loss of the season on Friday, 52-31, as the Vikings turned a close game into a rout with a blistering flurry of points to end the first half.
Emerald Seizes Control Before Halftime
Leading just 18-17 with time running out in the second quarter, a long pass from Beau Hite to Keirion Brown set up a Vikings score. Less than a minute later, following a Woodruff fumble, running back Joe Moore hooked up with Coleson Marino on a 44-yard halfback pass to give the visitors a 32-17 lead at the break.
It was an uphill battle all night for the Wolverines.
Woodruff Takes Two Early Leads
Trailing 3-0, Woodruff took the first of its two leads on a 44-yard catch-and-run by MiCah McClintock off a short pass from Connor Davis. After Emerald reclaimed the advantage, 11-7, Davis connected with Curtis Bell on the ensuing drive to put the Wolverines back on top, 14-11.
It seemed as if Woodruff was primed to add to that lead, but an 80-yard touchdown run by Jaylen Lyles was called back on a penalty, causing the drive to stall. The Vikings cashed in again on their next possession to take an 18-14 lead, but a 29-yard Diego Tranquilino field goal sliced the deficit back to one with under two minutes to play in the first half.
It would be as close as the Wolverines would get as injuries and cramps started to mount.
The short-handed Wolverines watched Emerald swell its lead to 52-17 early in the fourth quarter before consecutive scores would make the final margin a little closer.
Davis threw his third touchdown of the night on another short pass and great run by Grae Smith for 66 yards before junior running back Julian Sullivan capped the scoring with an 8-yard run around the left side for his second touchdown of the season.
Davis Leads the Woodruff Offense
Davis was a big bright spot for the previously No. 3-ranked Class 2A Wolverines. Woodruff’s senior quarterback completed 18 of his 26 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns, bringing his season totals through three games to 847 passing yards and nine scores.
Sullivan led all Wolverine ball carriers with 44 yards on seven attempts. Bell once again led the receiving corps with 76 yards on six receptions before leaving the game late in the first half with multiple cramps, along with McClintock, who himself finished with 50 yards on two catches before having to call it an early night.
Emerald Finishes With 515 Total Yards
Emerald racked up 515 total yards of offense. Hite completed 8 of 13 passes for 163 yards and two scores while rushing for 110 yards on seven carries. Moore was the Vikings’ workhorse on the ground, logging 21 carries for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Brown had four catches for 94 yards.
Up Next for Woodruff
With the win, Emerald improved to 3-0, while Woodruff fell to 2-1. Next up, the Wolverines host struggling Union County this week on Youth Night. It will be the third consecutive home game for Woodruff.
