BYRDS -- Those who are not scholars of history are doomed to repeat it.

Woodland needed no history lesson entering Friday’s playoff contest against Wade Hampton. The memory of their first-round loss a year ago still lingered in their minds. After coming out of the locker room at halftime, the Wolverines huddled together to tell each other one clear message: They were not going home.

Robert Smith’s three second-half touchdowns ensured that the Wolverines remained in the playoff hunt as they knocked off Wade Hampton 48-28.

The Wolverines (8-3) got off to a good start in the second half. Starting from their own 44-yard line, Smith completed two passes to get the ball into the Wade Hampton red zone. A critical roughing-the-passer penalty and a 9-yard run by Smith put the Wolverines on the doorstep. B.J. Mayzck powered the ball in from 1 yard out with 10:17 remaining in the third quarter to give Woodland a 26-20 lead.

Wade Hampton followed with their own drive that moved smoothly until it hit a snag -- the Woodland defense.

“Our kids have really gotten into what we’re doing here,” Wovlerines head coach Reed Charpia said of his defense. “I told them the other day that it was a pleasure for me to even watch them practice because they organize, they know what to do and they carry through their assignments so well.”

Stopping Wade Hampton’s Dondre Brown for a 2-yard loss, plus a holding penalty, gave Woodland the ball back and a chance to extend its lead.

Smith, once again, led the charge on the Wolverines’ ensuing 7-play drive. Marquise Carson capped the drive with a 30-yard touchdown reception. Smith tailed that by scoring the 2-point conversion, making it 34-20 with 2:22 left in the third.

Although it was a two possession game at that point, Woodland wasn’t done putting points on the scoreboard. After another three-and-out by Wade Hampton (5-6), Naqui Wright got the Wolverines back into Wade Hampton territory thanks to a 35-yard run. Smith would take over from there. Despite losing 10 yards on his next two carries, the Elite 11 sophomore quarterback made up for it by connecting with Dekendal Carn on a 20-yard touchdown pass. Carn and Smith hooked up again for the 2-point conversion, making it 42-20.

“Robert’s a special player,” Charpia said. “I’m so pleased with his progression in the passing game. He’s learned a lot and, of course, that has to come from his coach. Rusty (Charpia) has done a great job working with him and letting him learn the progressions and reading defenses and the coverages. He’s light years ahead of a lot of guys because he knows what’s taking place.”

Smith was 10 of 18 passing for 187 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.

It seemed easy in the second half for Woodland, but it was a bit of a struggle for them in the beginning. The Wolverines only totaled 65 yards of offense in the first half. Thanks to two big kickoff return touchdowns by Wright and Carson, Woodland was able to stay in the game.

Now that the first round is behind them, Woodland looks ahead as they will face another tough challenge at home next week when they host Mannning.

“I told the guys to enjoy the win,” Charpia said, “but be prepared to get back to work next week. We’ve just got to stay focused this time of year. In the playoffs, it’s not hard to do that.”

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