SBHS out of second round with 24-0 loss to Timmonsville
The Scott’s Branch High School Eagles lost to Timmonsville 24-0 in the second round of the Class A Division II playoffs in Timmonsville on Friday, Nov. 11. SBHS, a 3-7 team that made it to the playoffs by the skin of their teeth, had a good run. They defeated the heavily favored Whale Branch High School team in the first round of playoffs, but just could not capitalize on that momentum in their game against Timmonsville.
Timmonsville scored twice in the second quarter to put them up 16-0. They scored again early in the third to make 24-0.
Timmonsville was able to run the ball well, and play well defensively, setting up a brick wall that the Eagles couldn’t run through. The Eagles were hurt when Quarterback Samuel Murray, who suffered a concussion in the second period, had to be taken out of the game.
“We lost our starting quarterback which changed our game plan a lot,” said SBHS Head Coach Leonard Johnson. “But no excuse, Timmonsville played a good game.”
The Eagles started playing well, towards the end of the season, gelling as a team, with back to back victories against Hannah-Pamplico and C.E. Murray. They then surprised the number three seed in their region (SBHS was seeded sixth), with a 60-40 victory against Whale Branch in Beaufort. The Eagles offensive line played well, creating opportunities for their running backs to get the job done.
“We had a good run,” Johnson told his players after the game against Timmonsville. “I know you’re disappointed, but remember a man is determined by not what he does when things are going right, but by what he does when things are going wrong.”
In the last three previous seasons, the Eagles won two Class A Division II state championships and three lower state championships. This season did not pan out as they had hoped, but Johnson said that he’s getting to work on next year.
“I know that it may hurt right now, but we have to move on,” he told his players after the game. “We know the things that we have to work on.”
