Grid Iron Recap: Crusaders stay unbeaten, Raiders top Greer as region play arrives

Laurens County’s four high school football teams split Friday, Sept. 25, with Laurens District 55 and Laurens Academy picking up wins, Clinton falling in overtime and Thornwell Charter School dropping a region game at home. Three of the four programs open or continue region play Friday, Oct. 2.

Clinton High School

The Red Devils built a 28-13 halftime lead at Batesburg-Leesville but could not hold it, falling 35-28 in overtime. Neither team scored in the third quarter before the Panthers put up 15 points in the fourth to tie the game and force the extra period, where they scored the winning touchdown.

The loss drops Clinton to 3-2. The Red Devils had rebounded from their Sept. 11 loss at Chapman with a 61-6 home win over Union County on Sept. 18.

Clinton opens AA Region 2 play Friday, Oct. 2, at Southside Christian. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Laurens District 55 High School

The Raiders took control in the third quarter at Greer, scoring 21 points after halftime to win 34-6. Laurens led 13-3 at the break, and the defense held the Yellow Jackets to a pair of field goals all night.

Travion Robinson led the ground game with a rushing touchdown. Quarterback Logan Bragg threw for 114 yards and a touchdown, and Kaleb Gilchrist caught two passes for 86 yards.

The win is the second straight for Laurens, which improves to 3-2 after a 1-2 start.

The Raiders open AAAA Region 1 play at home Friday, Oct. 2, against Westside, which comes in at 4-1. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Laurens Academy

The Crusaders stayed unbeaten with a 42-13 home win over Wardlaw Academy and are now 5-0.

Quarterback Ethan Collins completed 17 of 20 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Caleb Hardy ran for 131 yards and two scores on 13 carries, and Riley Whittaker caught seven passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. Hardy, Whittaker and Eli Garrett were named the team’s players of the game.

Laurens Academy travels to Andrew Jackson Academy in Ehrhardt on Friday, Oct. 2, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

Thornwell Charter School

The Saints were shut out 42-0 at home by region opponent Dixie and fall to 0-5 in their first full season on a Class 1A varsity schedule.

Thornwell faces Calhoun Falls Charter in a Region 1 matchup Friday, Oct. 2. Both teams enter the game still looking for their first win of the season.

County records to date

Laurens Academy 5-0
Clinton 3-2
Laurens District 55 3-2
Thornwell 0-5