By Thomas Grant Jr.
Despite senior running back Amadre Wooden falling just one yard short of his fourth straight 200-yard rushing performance, Batesburg-Leesville closed out the regular season with a dramatic 35-34 overtime victory to secure second place in Region 2-2A.
Wooden finished with 199 yards and three touchdowns, including a 10-yard score in overtime. The Tigers rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter and pulled within one point on a touchdown run by Brayden Williams. Batesburg-Leesville attempted a two-point conversion for the win, but Williams was stopped a yard short by K.D. Whitt.
Batesburg-Leesville (7-3, 4-1) will host Eau Claire in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs.
Tristan Daniels rushed for 153 yards for Saluda (5-5, 2-3), which finished in a three-way tie for third with Pelion and Ninety-Six. The Tigers will travel to Mid-Carolina, which beat Eau Claire 20-6 to secure third in Region 3-2A.
Gators Beat Wildcats
River Bluff running back Hayden Myers posted a career-high 300 rushing yards, leading the Gators to their second straight win over rival Lexington.
Wide receiver Darius Carter recorded six catches for 99 yards, and Josiah Robinson tallied 12 tackles for River Bluff (6-4, 2-3), which finished fourth in Region 4-5A and earned a first-round home playoff game against Cane Bay in Class 5A Division I. The winner will face second-seed Stratford.
Lexington quarterback Easton Crocker totaled two touchdowns — one rushing, one passing — and Markel Byrd added 118 rushing yards for the Wildcats (3-7, 1-4), who travel to Fort Dorchester in the first round. The winner advances to face Carolina Forest.
Timberwolves Earn First-Round Bye
White Knoll closed its regular season with a 42-7 win over Chapin.
The Timberwolves (7-3, 3-2) finished third in Region 4-5A and secured a first-round bye in the Class 5A playoffs. They will host either Lucy Beckham or Myrtle Beach on Nov. 14 in Division II.
Season Ends for Patriots
American Leadership Academy concluded its inaugural football season with a 50-7 loss to Pelion, marking its eighth straight defeat after a 2-0 start.
Final S.C. Prep Football Media Poll
Class 3A
- Belton-Honea Path (13) (10-2)
- Oceanside Collegiate (4) (8-2)
- Newberry (1) (10-0)
- Loris (10-0)
- Woodruff (9-1)
- Mountain View Prep (8-1)
- Dillon (7-3)
- Powdersville (8-2)
- Orangeburg-Wilkinson (9-1)
- Crescent (7-3)
Others receiving votes: Marlboro County, Swansea, Christ Church
Class 2A
- Strom Thurmond (11) (8-2)
- Clinton (5) (7-3)
- Central (2) (8-1)
- Philip Simmons (8-2)
- Hampton County (7-3)
- Fairfield Central (7-3)
- Timberland (8-2)
- Batesburg-Leesville (7-3)
- Chester (6-4)
- Andrew Jackson (6-4)
Others receiving votes: North Central, East Clarendon, Cheraw, Manning, Saluda, Liberty
(Feature photo by Thomas Grant Jr.) – Batesburg-Leesville running back Amadre Wooden
