By Thomas Grant Jr.
For the first time in five years, Lexington High School football has opened the season at 3-0.
The Wildcats reached that mark in dramatic fashion last Friday in the 25-24 come-from-behind road win over Stratford.
Trailing as many as 21 points in the first half, Lexington scored 18 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. It came down to a 26-yard field goal by Tyler Chavis as time expired to pull off the victory.
“I don’t think we started the game with much enthusiasm and there may have been circumstances to impact that fact, but we have to be better and more mature so that those things don’t impact our mindset, energy, or approach,” first-year head coach Dustin Curtis said. “Once we decided as a team at halftime to go out there with great energy and create opportunities, things turned around. We finally had some things go our way and it led to others.”
Making things happen for the Wildcats was senior quarterback Taiden Mines. He threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Cam Sutton in the fourth quarter and converted two first downs which set up Chavis’ kick.
“Not only do you need your quarterback to lead, but we also have a lot of new faces on offense and they need to see confidence in his eyes when we face adversity,” Curtis said. “He had that yesterday late in the game and made some great throws and timely runs to give us a chance. Excellent game by our senior quarterback.”
The Wildcats also got 99 rushing yards and a touchdown from Cam Morris. On defense, linebacker Dylan Bolin had eight tackles, followed by Montrell Byrd with 7.5.
Lexington returns to the road Friday against Blythewood. The Bengals have won two straight since losing their season-opener to Ridge View and competed with Lexington at 7-on-7 passing tournaments this past summer.
“They have a great deal of team speed and length,” Curtis said. “Coach (James) Martin is also a great coach and will have them playing with enthusiasm. Blythewood’s stadium is also tough. The stands are right on top of you, and they always have a great crowd.”
Cross-Country
It was a grand sweep for the Lexington High School cross-country program as it swept both the varsity and junior varsity boys and girls races at the Pelican’s Invitational in Lexington on Aug. 31.
State champions Kendra Miles and William Cronin took first-place honors in the varsity fields.
Up next for both Lexington programs was the Wildcat Classic held Tuesday at home.
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 5A
- Summerville (17) (2-0)
- Gaffney (2) (2-1)
- Sumter (1) (3-0)
- Lexington (3-0)
- Hillcrest (3-0)
- Spartanburg (2-1)
- Byrnes (2-1)
- Fort Dorchester (1-1)
- TL Hanna (2-1)
- JL Mann (3-0)
Others receiving votes: Boiling Springs, White Knoll, Ashley Ridge, Dutch Fork, Blythewood; Cane Bay
