Sumter routs West Florence

FLORENCE — After his team’s 56-7 loss at the hands of Sumter, West Florence football coach Trey Woodberry huddled his players and gave them some encouraging words.

It’s not an easy task rebuilding a program that lost 31 seniors from last year’s campaign, including four players who signed to continue their careers at Division I college programs.

One would expect some growing pains. But Woodberry and his squad press on.

“We had some positives (against Sumter). Not a lot, but we had some positives,” said Woodberry, whose Knights fell to 0-8 overall and 0-2 in Region 6-4A play..
“We have to stop worrying about the negative and concentrate on the positive.”

Some of the positives Woodberry pointed out were two second-half interceptions for his defense and a 32-yard run by Broddrick Jones for the Knights’ only score.

“We’re getting better. This is a great group of kids,” he said. “These kids have never been late for practices or meetings.

“Seeing the kids’ positive attitudes (under the circumstances) has been great.”

Sumter, on the other hand, had very little sympathy for the undersized and inexperienced Knights. The senior-laden Gamecocks (6-2, 2-0) opened the contest with a 59-yard run by Romaine Prince on the first play from scrimmage and never looked back.

“We just focused all week on our execution,” Gamecocks coach Paul Sorrells said. “We worry about the other team, but we worry more about ourselves.”

“We were very intimidated at the start,” Woodberry said. “Some of kids have never seen players as big as what Sumter has.”

Prince finished with 168 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns for Sumter.

“He’s worked tremendously hard. He has a heart the size of Texas,” Sorrells said of Prince. “We have to be balanced on both sides of the ball to win and he set the tone.”

For the second consecutive game, quarterback Stephen Curtis was the offensive star for Sumter. The senior completed 10 of 17 passes for 223 yards and four TDs.

Curtis also rushed for 42 yards and a score. Danniel Duncan caught two of Curtis’ scoring passes and finished with 121 yards on five catches.

“(Curtis) is a three-year starter. He’s a special kid and a special player,” said Sorrells, whose team scored on its first eight possessions. “He plays the game hard and is a great competitor. I’m proud of him tonight.”

West will try to earn its first win of the season when the Knights travel to Hartsville next Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Woodberry said a win isn’t far away for his team.

“I think this group believes it will win a game,” he said. “This group has played well, even though the scores haven’t shown it.

“It’s gonna make us better in the long run.”