Red Foxes stay perfect in region

The Hartsville Red Foxes rolled over the West Florence Knights 45-7 Friday at Kelleytown Stadium, improving to 8-1 on the season and staying perfect in region competition.

The Red Foxes next go on the road to South Florence this Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. South Florence is coming off destroying Conway 71-21. If Hartsville wins at South Florence, and region partner Sumter wins their contest against struggling Conway, then the Nov. 6 game at Hartsville versus Sumter will determine the Region 6-4A champion.

“We need the Red Fox fans to come to Florence and outnumber the Bruins,” Head Coach Jeff Calabrese said, calling the Bruins’ performance against Conway outstanding. “Our focus is solely placed on South Florence this Thursday. The Bruins are extremely talented and well coached.”

But first, Hartsville had to outlast West Florence, and the Red Foxes created little anxiety about the outcome this time out.

The first series, after forcing a West Florence punt, the Red Foxes were on the move with no huddle. Quarterback Shawn Smith (8 of 13 passing, 133 yards, 2 TDs) rolled right and hit running back Eric Williams (3 catches for 46 yards, 1 TD) for 15 yards to get things going, which was followed up by a Dre Scott (11 carries for 158 yards, 2 TDs) rumble of about 45 yards into the endzone. It happened so fast one defender was facing the wrong direction as Scott ran past. Just like that it was 7-0 with 9:28 to go in the first quarter.

West Florence countered with an effective drive that culminated in an almost 40-yard field goal attempt that sailed wide left, giving Hartsville the ball back at their 20-yard line with 5:13 to go in the first quarter.

At this point receiver Brandon Beans (4 catches, 77 yards) made his presence known, receiving the ball in traffic and fighting for some tough yards, in what would become his best receiving game since Smith’s injury against Myrtle Beach.

“Brandon Beans is an outstanding player for us,” Calabrese said. “I think anytime you can get the ball in his hands, it adds a dimension to our offense that we sorely need. I also like the fact that Will Lucas, Nyquan Pearson, Dre Scott and Ronnie Jackson have caught some passes as well. The key for our offense is to have multiple threats in the passing game.”

Still operating out of the no-huddle, running back Ronnie Jackson (8 rushes for 93 yards, 1 TD) went to work, carrying tacklers downfield with a run up the middle to the 25-yard line, which was followed by a similar run up to the enemy’s 6-yard line.

With 3:46 to go in the first, West Florence called time out, which perhaps changed their luck, as Dre Scott lost a fumble at the goal line as it appeared he was poised to score. The trouble for the Knights was they had to work out of their endzone, which led to a punt that gave Hartsville the ball back at the Knights’ 25-yard line. Running back Williams (15 carries, 113 yards, 2 TDs) would go back to work on the ground, slashing to the 10-yard line. Next Smith rolled right and hit Jackson, who out-muscled defenders into the endzone to make it 14-0 with 2:04 to go in the first period.

Soon, DeShane Foxx would settle under a tipped ball for an interception to put Hartsville’s offense back in business at the Hartsville 46-yard line. Beans would break a reception into the clear and would smell the endzone, getting slowed up just enough to bring him down at about the 5-yard line. Soon after, on a sweep to the right, Ronnie Jackson would haul in a high pitch to make it 21-0, still in the first quarter.

Back on offense, Hartsville would execute the old hook-and-lateral play, as Beans would make the reception then toss it to Scott, who motored close to the goal line. Scott would finish off the drive, and the Knights, powering it in to make it 28-0.
It would be 35-0 at halftime, and not much would change in the second half, as Hartsville would cruise to the 45-7 final score.

A big story on the night was the Hartsville offense, which churned up 543 total yards, including a staggering 404 yards on the ground and 139 through the air.

“I think our offensive players have confidence in their abilities to play the game, but they have to understand that we have to get better,” Calabrese said. “This is the point in a season where you have got to play your best football. While the output on Friday was good, we do have a lot of improvements to make.”

The defense had a strong night too, with three interceptions (Foxx, Adam Peterson and Kishun Dudley), while Bruce Funderburke registered two sacks and six tackles. Leading tacklers were Foxx with nine, while Greg Thompson Jr. added eight, and Victor Venson six.

“I think our defensive players are really starting to play well,” Calabrese said. “They understand their assignments and are starting to play physical. I am very proud of the way our defense has progressed through the season.”

Calabrese stressed that the goal was to get both the offense and defense playing tough, physical football.

“If we go about our business like that, we will have a chance in every game we play,” he said.