The Dillon Wildcats defeated the Socastee Braves 48-25 in varsity football action played in Dillon Memorial Stadium on Friday, September 15.
Prior to the game, the late Jerry Douglas and the late Denis Jones were honored. For over 30 years Jerry Douglas, “The Fireworks Man”, had performed all of the firework duties prior to the game and every time the team scored. Additionally, he was a member of the DHS “Chain Gang”. Denis Jones was one of Dillon’s greatest fans. He was seen on the sidelines at all of Dillon varsity football games, both at home and on the road.
The Wildcat football team entered the field via a new tunnel and wasted little time in scoring the first touchdown of the evening as it took only the kickoff return to Dillon’s 40-yard line by Kamarion Singletary, a pass from Josiah Oxendine to Jamarion Fling, and a 50-yard run by Jamarion Fling, all in only 40 seconds as Dillon scored with 11:20 remaining in the first quarter! The PAT was good by Stephen Rojas to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.
After the kickoff to the Socastee Braves, the Braves began on their own 14-yard line. The Braves could not get the offense going and had to punt from their own 27-yard line that gave the Wildcats great field position on Socastee’s 47-yard line.
Josiah Oxendine kept for a first down on Socastee’s 34-yard line and followed that play with another keeper to Socastee’s 16-yard line. This drive was capped off with Jamarion Fling rushing for 13 yards for the score with 7:31 remaining in the first quarter. Stephen Rojas’ PAT was good to give Dillon a 14-0 lead.
After starting on their own 10-yard line after the kickoff, the Socastee Braves completed a 90-yard drive as Quadir Scott carried the pigskin in from the 3-yard line with 33 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The PAT was off to the right. Dillon led 14-6.
Dillon’s offense went to work from their own 38-yard line and scored as Josiah Oxendine fired a completed pass to Rahmond Hamilton. However, a penalty nullified the score. Dillon’s Hank Grider punted, and Socastee started on their own 22-yard line but were unable to get going.
Socastee’s Rocco Wojcik punted for the Braves, and Dillon began on their own 28-yard line.
Dillon turned the football over on downs. Socastee took over on their own 33-yard line. With 48 seconds remaining in the first half, the Braves faced a fourth and 10, but scored with a pass to Quadir Scott in the end zone. The 2-point conversion failed but Dillon’s lead was only 2 points, 14-12.
With only 13 ticks remaining on the clock in the first half, Joshiah Oxendine tossed a 28-yard pass to Brandon Allen for the score! Stephen Rojas’ PAT was good. At halftime, Dillon was up 21 to 12.
The Dillon High School band performed at halftime to the delight of the fans.
With 7:06 remaining in the third quarter, Jamarion Fling raced 13 yards into the end zone for 6 points. Stephen Rojas’ PAT was good. Dillon led 28-12.
With 3:34 remaining in the third quarter, Socastee’s Rocco Wojcik kept for the 3-yard score. The 2-point conversion attempt pass failed. Dillon’s lead was cut to 10, 28 to 18.
The Wildcats wasted little time in scoring as Joshiah Oxendine raced 67 yards for a touchdown with 2:26 remaining in the third quarter. Stephen Rojas’ PAT was good. Dillon led 35 to 18 over the Socastee Braves.
With 8:16 remaining in the game, Joshiah Oxendine kept for a 42-yard touchdown run. Stephen Rojas’ PAT was good. Dillon led 42 to 18.
The Socastee Braves began to move the football. Dillon’s Zamauriou Robertson intercepted a pass and returned it for a 45-yard touchdown with 6:47 remaining in the game. The PAT was no good but Dillon led 48 to 18.
With 2:58 remaining in the game, Socastee completed a drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good by Alon Levy. Dillon was up 48 to 25. The game ended with this score.
Dillon will travel to Bennettsville this Friday, September 22, to face the Marlboro County Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. while Socastee will travel to Sumter.
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