While local fans expressed their excitement for the return of high school football, Mother Nature was not in that kind of mood.

Inclement weather Saturday night forced the remaining games to be called off at the Willie Jeffries Classic at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. Before the dark clouds and the rain made their way over Bruin Stadiums, four teams were able to showcase their talent on the field, giving their respective fans something to cheer about.

“I felt like we had a good crowd,” Bruins athletic director Charles Gregory said. “It looked like there was a constant flow of people coming in. So, I think it was going to be a great event. Unfortunately, you can’t control Mother Nature.”

While four teams were able to put in some work on their offensive and defensive schemes, Bruins head coach Tommy Brown believes that the other four teams weren’t too upset about not having the chance to play.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Brown said. “Everybody understands that we can’t control this part of it. That’s a chance we take everyday when we come out and play this game. Lightning is a very serious thing and the safety of our players and fans is the most important thing. We’re not going to risk that for just a game.”

Despite the game’s premature ending, Coach Jeffries was on hand to watch the games and catch up with fans and former players.

“We were excited and thankful that he showed up,” Brown said. “He took time to come out and he knows that this is his game and this was about him.”

According to school officials, the remaining games from the Willie Jeffries Classic will not be made up due to scheduling conflicts.

Game 1

Scott’s Branch 24, Denmark-Olar 14

In a battle of pass against run, Kadeem Baxter led the Eagles’ ground game with two touchdowns as Scott’s Branch defeated the Vikings 24-14

Curtis Davis got things started for the Eagles in the first quarter with a 56-yard touchdown run on the second handoff of the game. Davis tacked on the 2-point conversion to make it 8-0 in favor of the Eagles.

Denmark-Olar responded with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Holman to Treaver Workman making it 8-6.

Baxter scored the first of his two touchdowns with 3:17 remaining in the first by weaving through the Vikings’ defense from 5 yards out. Baxter followed that by adding the 2-point conversion to give the Eagles a 16-6 lead.

In the second quarter, Baxter found the end zone again on a 14-yard run with 8:31 to go. Quinten Singleton added the Eagles’ third 2-point conversion of the game to make it 24-6.

Holman threw one more touchdown to Kenneth Jennings with just under four minutes left. Robert Atterberry made the 2-point conversion after catching a Holman pass in the end zone making 24-14 in favor of Scott’s Branch.

Game 2

Allendale-Fairfax 22, North 0

Speed was the weapon of choice for Allendale-Fairfax as they blanked North 22-0.

Emmanuel Ochotukpo juked past a few Eagle defenders from 15 yards out to put up the first points of the game. Ochotukpo added the 2-point conversion after the touchdown run to give the Tigers an 8-0 lead with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter.

Allendale-Fairfax continued their ground attack in the second quarter with an 80-yard touchdown run by Ronald Geohagan Jr. Jerrell Priester provided the 2-point conversion giving A-F a 16-0 lead with 11:28 remaining. Bashaud Breland scored the final touchdown of the night with 2:40 left in the quarter on a 10-yard quarterback keeper making it 22-0. 

-- T&D Sports Writer Emery Glover can be reached by e-mail at eglover@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5532. Check out his blog, Cover 2, at www.TheTandD.com.

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