Hartsville runs over Carolina Forest in region opener

The big plays came in rapid succession for Hartsville (6-1) Friday night as the Red Foxes dismantled Carolina Forest 55-14 to make a strong statement in the region opener about their title hopes.

“I think any time you can start 1-0 in the conference it is a great thing,” Foxes Head Coach Jeff Calabrese said afterward. “Hopefully, we can continue to get better and improve each week out.”

Quarterback Shawn Smith, who started off the season like a ball of fire but was sidelined recently with a leg injury, donned his helmet and looked ready to go but never made an appearance. Turned out that was okay as Hartsville racked up a school record 509 yards rushing (Calabrese said the previous record was 464 yards rushing versus Ridge View in 2007).

Almost right away, Hartsville running back Dre Scott (8 carries, 188 yards, 3 TDs) exploded off his well-held blocks and sprinted 60 yards up the right side make it 6-0 Foxes.

Soon after, Carolina Forest provided the Red Foxes a gift: a backward pass behind their receiver, a pass that bounced off his hands and rolled into the endzone for Dexter Scarborough to pounce on it to make it 13-0 Hartsville.

In the next Hartsville series they started in bad field position at their own 13 yard line, but it was no problem. Wide receiver Brandon Beans (2 carries for 33 yards) showed again he can make plays as a running back, racing out of the backfield up the left side for 27 yards and a late hit for another 15. Next play, it was Scott again, this time bursting up the middle and punishing some tacklers while gaining 25 yards. Just two plays later the 87-yard mission was fully accomplished, as Eric Williams (5 carries for 53 yards, 1 TD) darted up the middle for the 15 yard touchdown. It was 20-0 Hartsville early in.

Carolina Forest would answer, building a drive that culminated in a rifled touchdown pass up the middle to make it 20-7. The trouble for Carolina Forest was that meant the Hartsville offense would go back on the field.
Soon after, it was Dre Scott again, this time barreling through the right side of the line to break free and scamper 65 yards untouched to make it 27-7 early in the second quarter.

Carolina Forest would show off an aerial attack again, courtesy of a long touchdown pass that featured their receiver scrapping his feet inbounds in the back of the endzone. It was 24-14, but that would end their heroics on the night as it would be all Foxes from then on.

Soon, Hartsville running back Ronnie Jackson (9 carries for 122 yards, 1 TD) would make his mark, working off several excellent blocks to snake his way to daylight and gallop free 55 yards to make it 34-14, still in the second quarter.

After that, Hartsville would literally run away with the game to win 55-14 in the important region opener.
Leading the defense in tackles was Victor Venson, who recorded 8, while Jacob Cole and DeShane Foxx each had 6. On special teams, Teal Davis made 7 of 8 extra point attempts.

“Defensively, our kids really picked it up after the second quarter,” Calabrese said. “Our defensive staff made some adjustments and our kids really started to play well.  We only gave up 12 yards rushing on 16 carries.”
Next up, Hartsville faces rival Conway 7:30 p.m. Friday for homecoming. This past week Conway defeated West Florence 27-10.

“Conway is always a tough opponent for the Red Foxes,” Calabrese said. “I believe we have only beaten them twice since 1997.  Conway is a well coached and extremely disciplined football team.  It is a very tough task for us this week.”

Calabrese said injured quarterback Shawn Smith was still improving and that he hoped to have him back soon.