By Craig Brown

Eight teams came to play Thursday night in Lumberton for the first Battle of the Carolinas Football Classic held at Alton Brooks Stadium.

The event opened with the Latta Vikings against the East Bladen Eagles followed by Lake View Wild Gators against the Fairmont Golden Tornados.

Game three had the West Brunswick High Trojans facing The Rams of Purnell Swett. Former Latta High and Dillon Christian School football coach Kelly Williamson is the new head coach for the Trojans and due to his former association with South Carolina schools the Trojans must have been considered a south team as all of the Dillon County teams as well as the Trojans occupied the visitor’s side.

The final matchup had the Mighty Dillon Wildcats battling the Raiders of Lumberton High School. All games were two quarters in length.

In game one, Ethan Hines raced 80 yards for a touchdown on a quarterback keeper with 2:46 left in the first quarter. The point after kick put the Eagles up 7-0 over the Vikings. A new spirit exists in Latta now that started about three years ago to not give up until the game is over. Viking quarterback Mark Legette hit Tyreik McAllister with a 12-yard pass with 25 seconds left in the game. Legette hit McAllister again with the two-point conversion to go up 8-7. The Viking defense ended the game with a quarterback sack to preserve the win.

In game two, Lake View had recently lost quarterback Weston Rogers to a leg injury and would also lose one of it’s top lineman, James Inman with a knee injury. Lake View lost the game 16-15 but the team was beginning to adjust to a new quarterback and filling the line where Inman was a rock. It was clear that the Wild Gators were beginning to overpower the Tornados and had the game went four full quarters, Daryl King and his Wild Gators in my opinion would have come out 10 points or better in this game.

Kelly Williamson’s Trojans had little trouble downing the Rams of Purnell Swett by a score of 18-2. Kelly Williamson just hates to lose and he will instill this attitude in his team.

In years past, Lumberton has had some top rated football teams. I cannot say if this year will shine for the Raiders after watching Coach Jackie Hayes and the Wildcats destroy them on offense and defense. The Wildcat offensive line overpowered the Raider down lineman and kept the linebackers playing deeper than usual. About 75% of the tackles made for the Eagles came from the defensive cornerbacks and safeties and this after substantial Wildcat gains. Marty McKintyre’s defense was so stingy that had mercy not been shown the Raiders would really have been embarrassed.

Dillon scored their first of six touchdowns on an 80-yard run by De’Shaun Davis. Covington would add all six extra points. With 5:14 left in the first quarter, Jamison Chapman crossed the goal from seven yards out. Johnnie Allen picked up number three on a two-yard run, and the Wildcat defense forced a fumble and took it in for the fourth score.

Early in the second quarter, Jamison Chapman out ran the Raider defense on his way to a 44-yard touchdown. Alexander Diaz picked up the Wildcats’ final TD on a four-yard run to put the Wildcats out front 42-0.

The Wildcats had the last of its reserves in the game with two minutes left and the Raiders, still using their starters, managed a short drive to get seven points on the scoreboard to end the game with Dillon taking the 42-7 win.

The good folks in Lumberton treated all teams with respect and displayed good sportsmanship, and the police and medical units acted in a very professional manner.

All Dillon County teams looked impressive. I will make an early season prediction that Lake View will finish the season in Columbia. If Latta continues to fight, they could go a long way in their division. The Dillon Wildcats again look unbeatable. All the players will get enough game time to earn their keep.

This is my prediction but all three Dillon County Coaches like to start off by saying that they are going to take the season one game at a time. If you want to see some great football action, plan to show up on Friday nights to support our great teams.