Wolves have little trouble with Bishops

ST. STEPHEN — Bishop England got an up-close and personal look at Timberland's shock-and-awe football team Friday night.

The Wolves entered the Class AA playoff game scoring a state-best 49 points per game, while allowing only 6.3 points. It was more of the same for the Wolves, who scored three touchdowns in a stretch of 2 minutes and 15 seconds in the second quarter en route to a 55-7 victory.

Timberland (12-0) advances to the third round next week. The Wolves play the winner of today's Barnwell-Cheraw

game. Bishop England closed out the year with a 9-3 record under first-year coach John Cantey.

"They have some studs," Cantey said. "They have some studs who will play on Saturdays. But I'm impressed with their whole team. I wish them well because they deserve to play at Death Valley (in the state championship game at Clemson)."

The Wolves scored in the first quarter when Byron Mayes reached the end zone on a 3-yard run with 8:39 left in the first quarter.

The Wolves put the game out of reach in the second quarter.

Quarterback Cody Craig scored on a 23-yard run with 10:29 left in the half.

Paul Jefferson intercepted a Mikell Fosberry pass to set up a three-play, 30-yard scoring drive that Craig capped with a 2-yard run with 9:41 left.

On the Bishops' next possession, Fosberry attempted a screen pass that future South Carolina Gamecock Aldrick Fordham picked off and returned 22 yards for a score with 8:14 left in the half.

"I think our physicality took control right there," Timberland coach Art Craig said of his team's three touchdowns in the short span.

"We took advantage of some opportunities. When we smelled blood, we went after them."

Shrine Bowl selection Rockarius King broke off a 61-yard touchdown run with 4:22 left in the half to give his team a 34-0 lead.

He carried 10 times for 128 yards. The Wolves had 421 yards in total offense, and 382 came on the ground.

Jefferson picked off his second pass of the game late in the third quarter and returned it 72 yards for a score to push the lead to 48-0.

Fosberry, a sophomore, was 6-of-18 passing for 78 yards. He threw four interceptions and accounted for the Bishops' only score, a 2-yard touchdown pass to Thomas King midway through the fourth quarter.

The Bishops finished with 145 yards in total offense.

"Defensively, I think we did a really great job," Craig said. "It was good to see Jefferson step up with the interceptions. He's been our unsung hero."

T—Byron Mayes 3 run (Will Bradham kick)

T—Cody Craig 23 run (Bradham kick)

T—Craig 2 run (Bradham kick)

T—Aldrick Fordham 22 interception return (Bradham kick)

T—Rockarius King 61 run (kick failed)

T—Laron Milford 9 run (Bradham kick)

T—Paul Jefferson 72 interception return (Bradham kick)

BE—Thomas King 2 pass from Mikell Fosberry (Thomas Warren kick)

T—Jontell Hampton 8 run (Bradham kick)