By Craig Brown

The Dillon Christian School Warriors traveled to Kingstree Friday night and lost a close match to the defending 1A state champion, falling 26-20 to the Williamsburg Academy Stallions.

The win puts the Stallions at 4-0 on the season as the Warriors fall to 3-1. Both teams were evenly matched and you have to give the Stallions a slight advantage playing on their home field. These two teams could meet again in post season play.

With 23 seconds left in the first quarter, the Warriors were pushing the ball in from the one yard line for a score when the ball was fumbled but recovered by Ellison Rourke in the end zone for a Warrior touchdown. Jim Carr kicked the point after to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead. The first quarter would end with this score.

With 24 seconds left in the first half, Stallion halfback Tripp Ward raced 37 yards to put the Stallions on the board. Brad Bitely evened the score at 7-7 with his point after kick. The first half would end with this score.

Stallion running back Dillon Davis ran 29 yards for a touchdown with 10:31 left in the third quarter. The kick failed leaving the Stallions up 13-7. Stallion linebacker Garrett Watford recovered a Warrior fumble for a touchdown with 4:37 left in the third quarter. The conversion failed with the Stallion lead 19-7. With 39 seconds left in the third quarter, Warrior quarterback Jim Carr hit Luke Price with a 9-yard touchdown pass. Carr’s kicked closed the Stallion lead 19-14.

Hunter Robinson ended a good Stallion drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Bitely’s point after kick upped the Stallion lead to 26-14. Carr hit wide receiver Red Williams with a 34-yard touchdown pass with 7:19 left in the game. The kick failed and the Warriors trailed 26-20. The Warriors mounted a late drive deep in Stallion territory inside the 15 yard line but victory was lost on a fumble, giving the Stallions the 26-20 region win.

On offense for the Warriors, Jim Carr was 11 of 16 passing for 199 yards and two touchdowns; TeShaun Lane got 115 yards on 24 carries; Michael Minges caught three passes for 75 yards; Red Williams caught three passes for 56 yards and a touchdown; Luke Price caught three passes for 49 yards and a touchdown; Thomas Evans had 42 yards on 10 carries; and Ellison Rourke caught two passes for 19 yards and recovered a fumble for a touchdown.

On defense, Luke Price made 10 tackles, four assists; Jake Boykin made eight tackles, four assists; Thomas Evans made six tackles, three assists; Red Williams and Mathew Price made five tackles with three assists each; Michael Minges made three tackles, two assists; David Williams and Douglas Bullock made two tackles, two assists each; and Samuel Coleman added a tackle with an assist.

The Warriors will travel to Bishopville this Friday night for a 7:30 game against Robert E. Lee Academy.