By By Dale McKee / special to The Star
Nov. 13, 2004
WAYNESBORO Wayne County advanced to third round play in the Class 4A playoffs with a 28-0 blanking
of Laurel on Friday night.
The War Eagles scored twice in the first period and added solo touchdowns in the third and the fourth periods to defeat the Tornadoes.
Wayne County (12-0) will go to Brookhaven next Friday night to battle the 11-1 Panthers.
Laurel ends the season at 6-5-1.
The War Eagles moved 55 yards on their first two offensive series of the game to score on a 19-yard pass from Drexler Johnson to Marquese Ray with 5:50 to play in the first period.
The Tornadoes could not muster much offense against the War Eagles' defense, even though Wayne County's All-American defensive tackle, Jerrell Powe, sat out the first half after breaking a team rule during the week.
After forcing another Laurel punt, the War Eagles moved 50 yards in three plays to score on a 40-yard pass from Johnson to Randall Lofton with 3:00 to play in the quarter.
Laurel's offense started moving on their third series and moved to the WC 40 before turning the ball over on downs.
Jermaine McGrew intercepted a Laurel pass on the next Laurel offensive series and returned to the LHS 39-yard line. WC moved the 39 yards on six plays to score on a Kennard Arrington run of two yards with 6:55 to play in the half. Johnson hit Jacques McBride on a 17-yard strike to highlight the scoring drive.
Brandan Sellers kicked three extra points, and WC led 21-0. That score held up until halftime.
WC had 113 yards passing and 63 rushing at half while Laurel had 21 yards of total offense.
The turning point of the game, according to Laurel head coach Chris Gale, came with eight minutes to play in the game. The Tornadoes could not take advantage of Kenneth Horne's block of a War Eagle punt. Laurel had a first down at the WC 1-yard line, but four rushing attempts failed to produce any points.
WC then moved 97 yards in three plays, with Arrington racing 84 yards for the score with 6:47 to play in the game.
Arrington led WC with 99 yards rushing on four carries, and Arthur Everette added 61 yards on 11 runs.
In the final stats, WC rushed for 202 yards and passed for 126 yards. Laurel rushed 24 times and gained 29 yards and passed for 59 yards in the game.
Laurel gained three first downs while WC racked up 16. Laurel fumbled five times but lost none while WC fumbled once in the game. Laurel had 12 penalties for 116 yards while Wayne County was not flagged.
Kerry Carter intercepted two passes for Laurel.