Bruins have another date with wing-T

On paper, South Florence’s football team should be an expert on how to stop the wing-T offense.

After all, the Bruins have won two straight games against teams that utilize the wing-T.

But games are played on the field, not on paper, according to coach Lynn Fleming. And the Bruins hope their hot streak continues when they travel to Falcon Field on Friday to face Darlington’s wing-T attack in the Morning News Game of the Week.

“The wing-T offense is hard to prepare for. That’s why teams run it,” said Fleming, whose team has beaten Lakewood and Crestwood in consecutive weeks. “As fast as Crestwood and Darlington run it, it’s hard to simulate it. But we’ve done well so far.”

“It’s going to be a plus for them that (South) has seen the wing-T from week to week,” Darlington coach Justin Danner said. “At the end of the day, we just need to execute.”

South’s defense harassed Crestwood’s offense on every down last Thursday, forcing nine fumbles and recovering four. The unit also racked up an interception in the win.

“Our defense has done a really good job of forcing turnovers,” Fleming said. “They’re a lot stronger and faster than last year, and that’s a tribute to what they did over the summer.”

“We saw these guys against Lakewood and Crestwood,” Danner said. “Coach Fleming has these guys going in the right direction.”

Darlington (1-3) is hoping last week’s blowout win over West Florence carries over to Friday night’s contest.

Dominique Cooper anchors the Falcon ground attack, rushing for 411 yards and two touchdowns. Damario Goodson has rushed for 163 yards and two scores.

Quarterback Damien Dubose has added 136 yards on the ground to go with 508 yards passing, eight TDs and two interceptions.

“When you have a football team, one of the biggest things is how focused your team is from week to week. We had some guys that weren’t as focused,” said Danner, whose Falcons defeated South Florence last year at Memorial Stadium.

“We got focused on taking care of the football and keeping teams off the field offensively.”

According to Danner, a win over the Bruins would be even more momentum as his team rolls toward Region 6-3A play.

“It would be huge,” he said. “At this point of the season, every team wants to be on the up-and-up.

“Getting a win over a (Class 4A) school would be a big boost heading into one of the toughest regions in the state, so we’re trying to get ready for Friday.”

Danners’ defense will be under intense pressure against South’s no-huddle spread attack. Quarterback Kaleb Griffin has thrown for 896 yards and 13 TDs with just one interception on the young season for the Bruins (3-1).

Blake Vinson has been Griffin’s favorite scoring target. The senior has racked up 279 yards and six scores. Charles Nettles has four TDs to go along with a team-leading 330 yards receiving.
Terrion Brown has been the Bruins’ balance on the ground, rushing for 488 yards and five scores.

“Last year, we were putting the pieces together. This year, we just continued with what we started,” Fleming said. “Timing is key with what we do offensively.”

Players of the week

Offense: Marlboro County senior quarterback Elliot Alford completed 17-of-26 passes for 417 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in a 52-0 rout of Conway last Friday. He also gained 31 yards on three carries.

Defense: South Florence junior defensive end Shannon Rogers racked up 21 tackles, 13 solo, in a 34-29 upset victory over Crestwood last Thursday. He also forced a fumble and recovered another.