Beaufort’s defense comes up big in opening win over Wando
The heat index and a barrage of passes wasn’t enough to stop the Beaufort football team Friday night, as the Eagles gutted out a 14-10 victory over Wando in their season opener.
The contest started more than 30 minutes late because of the heat index, but Wando’s Cale Lewis came out firing. The senior quarterback passed for more than 200 yards in the first half in helping the Warriors to a 10-7 lead at the half.
The second half was all Beaufort, however, as the Eagles’ grinding ground attack and staunch defense set the tone. Running backs Kyleik Middleton and Logan Adkins took turns pounding into the Wando defense, and quarterback Jeffrey Smyth mixed in a few key plays of his own.
“It’s probably too soon to tell about this football team, but they learned a lesson tonight on how to win — and how to win in the fourth quarter,” longtime Eagles coach Mark Clifford said. “We were inches away from losing control, but we kept it together.”
Beaufort’s defense forced three turnovers. Smyth and Reggie Jones had interceptions, and Will Kelly had a big fumble recovery in the second half with less than two minutes left.
The Eagles had no turnovers — which was a very good thing, considering the number of penalties they were assessed. Beaufort was flagged for 13 infractions, four of which were of the 15-yard variety.
Smyth’s 20-yard touchdown toss to Reed Reichel late in the second quarter accounted for Beaufort’s only points of the first half. That possession was set up by Jones’ interception.
The only score of the second half came at the end of a punishing 17-play drive by the Eagles that spanned the third and fourth quarters. Middleton capped it off with a 3-yard dive on the 16th run play of the drive.
The Beaufort defense took over the rest of the way, forcing a three-and-out and then coming up with the pivotal turnover on Wando’s final possession. With two minutes remaining, Beaufort’s Brendan Bowersox sacked Lewis near midfield and Kelly recovered the loose ball.
“It was a good win, and it was a good lesson on how to win,” Clifford said. “I’m proud of them for hanging in there and finishing. It’s all about finishing.
“A lot of great coaching going on this week,” he added. “We were put through a lot of adversity this week with the weather and the heat, and not being able to get outside at all. So we had to focus in a condensed area, and we just made it count. Our coaching staff always preaches overcoming adversity, and Friday night is what counts.”
Adkins finished with 102 yards on 16 carries, while Middleton had 18 rushes for 80 yards.
After throwing for 202 yards in the first half, Lewis was just 4 of 14 for 54 yards in the second half. He finished 21 of 41 for 256 yards, two interceptions and a touchdown.
Conner McCarthy had four catches for 88 yards and a score for Wando (0-1). Andrew Weil kicked a 45-yard field goal in the loss.
Wando returns home to face Conway next week, while Beaufort hosts rival Battery Creek.
“They’re a new program, they’ve got a new, fresh look,” he said. “We’re going to work real hard. It’s a cross-town rivalry — anything can happen — so we’re going to treat it like a state championship game.”
This story was originally published August 19, 2017 at 1:20 AM with the headline "Beaufort’s defense comes up big in opening win over Wando."