BENNETTSVILLE — Marlboro County quarterback Elliot Alford spent the entire summer reliving the Class 3A lower state championship from last year.
“He felt bad, felt like if he’d made one more play, we’d have gone on to win the state title,” Bulldogs coach Dean Boyd said.
On Friday, Alford was able to make that one play and lead the Bulldogs back into the lower state championship game.
Alford completed 9-of-18 passes for 167 yards and all four of Marlboro’s touchdowns, including the 5-yard game-winner to Malcolm Thomas with 4:40 left as the Bulldogs beat Lake City 26-21 at McAlpine Stadium in the third round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Marlboro earned a rematch with Myrtle Beach next Friday at Doug Shaw Stadium. Last year’s lower state championship ended in triple overtime when the Bulldogs failed to convert a two-point conversion.
“We felt like we had a home-field advantage and an advantage in experience,” Boyd said. “Our kids have been in big games before and they know what it takes to win.
“Even though we made some mistakes and got behind a few times, our kids never panicked and found a way to win.”
The lead changed six times, with Marlboro gaining the first advantage and a 6-0 lead in the first.
The Panthers answered back with a 1-yard touchdown run by Shon Carson to put Lake City up 7-6 in the second quarter.
But that was all of Carson’s damage as the Bulldogs held the Pee Dee’s top rusher out of the end zone the rest of the night. Carson finished with 110 yards on 23 carries.
“He’s a special player, and we felt like if we could keep him to under 150 yards, we’d have a good chance to win,” Boyd said.
Marlboro retook the lead on a TD pass from Alford to Jaquand Brantley, one of three on the night, to take a 12-7 lead.
Dashawn Butler gave the Panthers the lead back before the half with his only touchdown pass.
After trading scores in the third quarter, the Bulldogs’ defense clamped down, opening the door for Alford’s late heroics as Marlboro held on for the win.
“Our defense played outstanding against a quality football team,” Boyd said. “We made the plays when we had to and didn’t blink when their backs were against the wall.”
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