Mike Ridaught
Last night in Williston, the underdog Red Devils football team jumped out to a quick 16-0 lead in the opening quarter, only to see the visiting Newberry Panthers come roaring back with 26 unanswered first half points in a 26-24 come-from-behind win.
The Red Devils received the opening kick and marched 68 yards in only four plays, scoring on a 53-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Tiger Days to senior Rashaud Nelson with 9:57 to play in the first quarter. Then, following a Newberry fumble on a lateral pass, junior Ajavien Anderson fell on the ball for Williston and the Red Devils were back in business.
Williston marched 47 yards on six plays, scoring on a 22-yard touchdown run by Marland Williams, Jr. Sophomore Edariyon Wesley ran in the two-point conversion to give the Red Devils a 16-0 lead with 6:03 to play in the first quarter.
Newberry (4-1) would proceed to score the final 26 points of the half, including a score with .8 seconds left for a 26-16 lead at the half.
But Williston wouldn’t quit.
The Red Devils added their final touchdown in the fourth quarter, driving 85 yards and scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run by Wesley with 3:16 to play. Senior Kurt Pitts ran in the 2-point conversion to make it 26-24. However, Newberry recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.
Williston, which dropped to 2-3, will host Wildwood for Homecoming next Friday night. Newberry will host Hamilton County for Homecoming. Back with more right after this.
Tonight, the Trenton football team will host the Dixie County Bears in a small school showdown from Gilchrist County.
The visiting Bears have won three straight in the series, including last year’s 34-8 win. Dixie County enters the game with an overall record of 2-1, following back-to-back wins against Williston and Chiefland. Trenton has lost three in a row since a season opening win against P.K. Yonge in overtime.
We’ll have coverage of the game beginning at 7 p.m. You can listen to the game on 106.9 “I am Country” and online at ThePrepZone.com.
Newberry is home next Friday against Hamilton County. Williston stays home next week to face Wildwood.
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