First and Goal: Mullins makes remarkable comeback

You might not have seen it on the Friday night highlight reels, but coach Ron Lanham and the Mullins Auctioneers scored 24 unanswered points to pull off a 30-24 win over Timmonsville at home this past week.

Don’t ask me how they did it. Hopefully, I can find out later on this week when they prepare for this week’s homecoming game against North Myrtle Beach. However, the word is that the Auctioneers Jeremy Leggette's long touchdown pass was the spark, followed by Leggette stripping the ball away on the ensuing drive and running it back 60 yards for the touchdown. After forcing a turnover on downs with four minutes to go, running back George Page scored on the first play off screen pass taking 35 yards downfield. Coach Lanham said it was a great play call from Greg Hill. Defensive back Greg Platt rolled the credits to end the show with a 40 yard interception return with under twenty seconds remaining.
The return of former Coach Denver Cromer and the Chiefs facing the Auctioneers for a second time at home should be another thriller, and is the Game of the Week for next week. Receiver Saqwan McFarland has had more than a few highlights against the North Myrtle Beach secondary, but it will be up to Jamal Young, Antron Smith, JimDonovan Reaves and Jeremy Leggette to thwart the Chiefs vaunted passing attack. Quarterback Daniel Smith was on target in his game against Marion and it’s going to be interesting watching receiver Heath Jackson perform in his duel with McFarland.

As for the Chiefs, during this past week’s face-off against Marion, the Foxes made quite a few defensive plays, highlighted with coverage from Jeremy Curry and safety Stedman Stevenson. Chamonte Grainger pulled off a spectacular interception and 40-yard return and looked good running the ball back on special teams. However, the most trouble they had on the field might have come from the officiating. Brian Gilliard’s amazing touchdown run on the first drive was called back, Deonte Johnson had a costly fumble called against him along with a offensive pass interference call with the defensive back stopping right in his tracks as he was searching for the football.

On two occasions, Justin Gause, running clearly out of bounds was driven into his own bench by the opposing team. Playing under a microscope, with over a dozen penalties, seemed to throw the Swamp Foxes off during the game. Despite the outcome, Gilliard, Carroll Norman, Anthony Thomas, Jonathan Elliott and Quinton Washington were all over the field. Marion looks forward to another fresh start at home as the schedule remains tough with Lamar coming to town this week at Fox Field.

Coach Al Calcutt and the Creek Bridge Warriors gave a Class 3A team all they could handle, facing St. James on the road this past week. Kendal Timmons scored an early touchdown run, and Rakeem Williams highlighted with an interception, but the Sharks pulled off the 26-6 victory. The Warrior are building up a strong defense, with leading tackler Reginald McCollough, teaming up with Jawuan McMclellan, Dreako Young, Brian Leggette and Jevon Evans. Creek Bridge will be looking to add to the win column in their game on the road against Johnsonville.

Pee Dee Academy is experiencing some growing pains, but are taking on the their toughest opponents at the start of the season. Sports Correspondent Chris Lane has the rundown of this past week’s game at Thomas Sumter online at www.scnow.com, just type in the keyword Mullins or Marion and check out his story in the sports section. Expect a report on the latest football game action online each week.

Another highlight game will be taking place today as Johnakin Middle School and Palmetto Middle School meet in their annual rivalry showdown. Game time is 5:30 pm at Fox Field.