Here is a photo gallery of Dillon v. Purnell Swett in the Battle of the Carolinas. (Photos by Craig Brown)
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By Craig Brown
It was a very hot and humid night in Lumberton Wednesday as ten area teams set out to play two 20-minute quarters of football in the second annual Battle of the Carolina Classic.
With teams representing South Carolina, Dillon High, Lake View High, Latta and Marlboro County challenging North Carolina teams Fairmount, West Brunswick, Purnell Swett and Lumberton. Scotland High also matched up with another North Carolina team East Bladen.
The Lake View Wild Gators opened the event in game one downing The Fairmount High School Tornados 14-0. Lake View looks to have a very strong team this year and will be hard to beat in their division.
Head Coach Daryl King referred to the win as ugly and that his team has to improve in certain areas.
Coach King added that the Wild Gator Coaching staff will be working hard to improve the team.
We open the season Thursday August 18 against a strong Latta team.
Coach King knows that a good team can never stop improving.
Scotland High and East Bladen had game two with Scotland showing another powerhouse team defeating East Brunswick 28-0.
Latta High School took on East Brunswick in game three. The Vikings were facing their former coach Kelly Williamson and his Trojans. In some hard hitting action the Vikings came away with a 14-7 win. Latta is playing division two ball this year and looks to have a solid team. This might be the best team Latta has fielded in several years. Thursday nights matchup with the powerful Wild Gators in Lake View should be an exciting one.
The mighty Dillon Wildcats had game four facing The Purnell Swett Rams. Former Wildcat assistant Athletic Director Robbie Brown is now the Assistant Head Coach with the Rams.
The Wildcats came away with a 21-0 win but Head Coach Jackie Hayes thought his team could have performed better. Coach Hayes gave a short interview by stating we need to work on some things. Defensive Coach Marty McIntyre stated he had a young group at linebacker but a very strong defensive line. We will improve with every game and should be as strong as ever as the season progresses added Coach McIntyre.
The Marlboro County Bull Dogs faced the Lumberton High Pirates in the final game.
The Carolinas Classic is proving to be a success packing the stadiums with fans eager for some early season football.
