First and Goal: Teams are getting on winning track

Head coach Bryan Carfley and the Marion Swamp Foxes are getting back on track and were winners of their third straight game this past Friday, knocking off Timmonsville 51-16.

The Foxes are inching towards 100 percent with their stable of running backs Brian Gillard, Justin Gause, Jeremy Curry and Lue Clemmons getting healthy. The crew played well together as Gillard racked up 246 total yards and four touchdowns in the game. Gillard has perfect balance and is tough to bring down. And for high school football fans watching the highlights I’m sure you saw touchdowns from Gillard, Clemmons and Gause along with highlight grabs from receiver Devonte Gilbert.

Gillard leads the squad with 501 yards on the ground this season along with 409 yards from Clemmons. Gilbert has 158 receiving yards on 10 receptions, while quarterback Ross White has four touchdown passes on the season. Carroll Norman and Deonte Johnson lead the defense with 36 and 32 tackles respectively.

The Foxes will highlight the game of the week when they take on region foe Loris. The Lions are winners of four consecutive games.

Football fans were also treated to some local recreation football as Mullins and Marion teams showed off their skills in season openers.

I checked out the Steelers and the Mullins Falcons coached by Brad Johnson, Donald Brown and Carl Brantley. The group of nine and 10 year olds played in a slugfest defensively.

After four quarters of scoreless football, quarterback Hayden Panos drove his Falcons team near the goal line, which lead to score from McKinley Smith in overtime.

The Steelers wasted little time with the answer with speedster Rico Ortiz racing around defenders for the touchdown to tie the score. The Steelers also got a big game from running back Cameron Smith.

The Falcons pulled off the victory with a touchdown in overtime thanks to a big play from Jimmy Richardson.

Props also go out to coaches Darren Ford, Keith Ford, Carl Tyler, James Gause and Rudolph Lester.

There are number of players to watch including Jordan McKnight and the elusive Yamasi Buey.

Congrats also goes out to Mullins Cowboys coaches Marcus Graves and Shawn Troy. The squad featuring Bernard Jones defeated Marion with 33 points scored, then followed up with 40 points in another contest.

It all starts with sportsmanship. Recreation football is underway