Lamar back in lower state title game

LAMAR — A pair of region champions took the field at Donald R. Poole Stadium on Friday when Lamar welcomed Allendale-Fairfax for the right to play in the Class A Division I lower state championship game.

In what was touted as a battle of two teams with contrasting offensive styles, it was Lamar’s offense that established dominance. Trevor Norris threw two touchdown passes and rushed for two more as the Silver Foxes sent the Tigers home with a 42-19 victory in the second round of the Class A Division I playoffs.
Lamar (11-1) looks to take the final step toward a trip to Orangeburg when it hosts Hemingway, 13-6 overtime winners over Carvers Bay, on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

“I knew we would need every point we could get against (Allendale-Fairfax) and their speed,” Silver Foxes coach J.R. Boyd said. “We hung in there against them and won the game.

On Friday the 13th, crazy things are bound to happen — and did in the first 24 minutes. Four turnovers between the two teams, several key injuries and a scoreboard malfunction characterized the first half. Yet the Silver Foxes held a 22-12 half-time advantage.

“It’s been hard for this team to stay focused. I haven’t been able to keep these kids focused all season,” Boyd said. “But I’m proud of these boys for what they did tonight.”

In the second half, Lamar salted the game away with the passing of Norris and the running of Jerrod Dargan, outscoring the Tigers 20-7 in the final 24 minutes.

Norris went 17-of-30 passing for 209 yards and added 36 on the ground. Dargan finished with 111 yards on 14 carries.

Anthony McAllister finished with 61 yards receiving on offense and had a 55-yard fumble return for a first-quarter score on defense. Eric Daney and Chris Peoples had TD receptions, and Matthew Mitchell added a TD run.

“The last five games, we’ve had team efforts,” Boyd said. “After the Marion game (on Sept. 18), this team pulled together and now they can see what they’ve accomplished.“

“We had a little momentum going into the second half,” Allendale-Fairfax coach Wayne Farmer said. “But Lamar’s a great team, and they made the plays they needed to make.”

Jerrell Priester rushed 15 times for 119 yards and a score to lead the Tigers. Emmanuel Ochotukpo added a TD run, and Jermany Carter caught a 41-yard scoring pass from Solomon McCormick.

Quarterback Bahsaud Breeland rushed for 95 yards but struggled in the passing game against the Silver Foxes, going just 1-of-8 for three yards and an interception.

“I’m proud of this team. We just made too many mistakes,” said Farmer, whose Tigers finish the season 10-2. “We can be our own best friend or our own worst enemy.

“We were our own worst enemy tonight.”

On the other hand, Boyd said his team can celebrate the win, but they must prepare to face a tough Hemingway defense.

“(Hemingway) has a lot of speed. Coach (Ken) Cribb will have his team ready,” he said. “We’ll have to play disciplined, maintain our focus and not panic against a great defense.”