By Lonnie Turner
The Timberland Wolves will ride into Dillon Friday night in quest for a shot at the South Carolina Class 2A State Championship and like it has been in over the past five years or so, they have to qualify by beating the Wildcats. The series began back in 2003 and since then Dillon has won seven times with the only loss coming at home back in 2011 in a game that most Wildcat fans want to forget.
Head Coach Art Craig has his team all ready to face the Cats, overcoming a lot of injuries sustained in the Wolves opening game with Hanahan. “We are back to full strength and a lot better off than we were at the start of the season,” he said.
“We had to play a lot of people that wouldn’t have played, but the injuries gave us a chance to see what they can do.”
Dillon head coach Jackie Hayes can feel his concern after losing Johnny Allen early and having four starters injured in the Darlington game. “You know. We have some good players that will have to step up,” was Coach Hayes’ comment going into the Marlboro County game. Diaz Alexander is a perfect example. He was going to see plenty of action this season, but the injury to Allen and Jamison Chapman’s knee injury gave the sophomore running back more time than anyone expected and to date, the 5’5, 125 pounder, is third on the rushing chart with 344 yards (5.1 yard average) and three touchdowns.
Timberland has been stingy all year long on defense, allowing 162 points, but the offense is a lot like Dillon, scoring 423. For the season, the Cats have allowed only 53 points and have scored 510 with most starters playing only three quarters, so the Wolf defense led by linebackers Joseph Moultrie and Josh Alston, hope to slow Dillon’s rushing game with Chapman leading the way with 852 yards on 85 carries and 16 touchdowns and the passing game of Avery McCall, who has thrown for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. McCall’s leading receiver has been KaNore McKinnon with 30 catches for 496 yards and ten TDs.
Timberland will feature Brandon Simmons running out of the backfield for 900 yards and 10 scores, while quarterback Daniel Robinson will run and throw. He has over 500 yards passing and has accounted for 450 yards on the run.
Simmons gives much credit to linemen Nick Smith and Kevin McCray for making holes in the opponent’s defensive line for him to run through. Smith tips the scales at 270 pounds and McCray weighs in at 230 on a 6’8” frame.
“Our special team play has improved through the season and we’re looking to excel in that category to either score or set up some scoring plays,” Coach Craig said. “Special teams can certainly be the difference between winning and losing.”
The winner of Friday’s game could pretty well be the team to play at Benedict College on Friday evening, December 4 at 7:30.
The winner this week will take on the winner of the Loris-Lake Marion winner for the Lower State Championship.
