Dillon continues dominance over Marion

MARION — Since 2000, Dillon’s football team has found nothing but success against Marion.

Friday night, the decade of dominance continued. The Wildcats combined a first-half outburst with stifling defense to earn their ninth consecutive victory over the Swamp Foxes, 34-12 at Fox Field.

“We settled down after the first drive,” said Dillon coach Jackie Hayes, whose team is 22-11 all-time against the Swamp Foxes. “We made some adjustments defensively after (Gillard’s TD) and we got some points out of it.”

Marion coach Bryan Carfley was less than pleased with his squad’s performance against the defending Class 2A state champions.

“I’m really disappointed in some of the leaders of this team,” he said. “We’re a better team than this.

“We didn’t play well, but this game is over. All you can do is get ready for Cheraw (on Friday).”

After Brian Gillard’s 9-yard touchdown run gave the Swamp Foxes a 6-0 lead, the Wildcats scored 24 unanswered points, primarily off Marion miscues. Antuawn Blue recovered a Brian Gillard fumble in the end zone to open the onslaught.

“(The 24-point run) was a backbreaker for us,” Carfley said. “We score the first touchdown, then (Dillon) scored and we acted like the game was over with our heads down.

“They’re bigger than we are. Their offensive line dominated us. They’re like a shark smelling blood when they get a lead, and we didn’t respond.”

Another Marion turnover led to a 31-yard field goal by T.J. Grimsley, then Antuawn Blue found himself in the end zone again. Keyed by a block from his brother Anquan, Blue raced 41 yards untouched to paydirt to cap the first-half outburst — and a 24-6 halftime advantage.

In the second half, the Wildcats’ defense completely shut down the Swamp Foxes. Led by Damien Simpson’s nine tackles, Dillon bankrupted Marion’s rushing attack and harassed quarterback Ross White all night.

“Our defense played great,” Hayes said. “Once we got that big lead, we got conservative offensively but our defense played harder.“

“We couldn’t block. We didn’t pick up the blitzes,” said Carfley, whose Swamp Foxes drop to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in region play. “It doesn’t matter what kind of backs you have. If you can’t block for them, you won’t win.”

Tyquan Hayes went 10-of-17 passing for 117 yards to lead the Wildcats (6-2 overall, 3-0 Region 8-2A). The junior added 33 yards rushing and a TD.

Jabo Lee added 51 yards rushing with a score, and Anquan Blue caught four passes for 53 yards.

Ross finished with 74 yards passing and a TD, but was sacked six times. After gaining more than 200 all-purpose yards in a rout of Aynor, Gillard was held to 19 yards rushing.

Dillon hosts Loris on Friday at 7:30 p.m.