Berkeley Independent
On Friday night the top ranked Timberland Wolves showed visiting Bishop England the meaning of both as the Wolves defense forced 6 turnovers and returned three interceptions for touchdowns on the way to a 55-7 defrocking of the Bishops.
Wolves head coach Art Craig said it was all about setting the tone of the game and setting it early.
Timberland forced a fumble on Bishop England’s opening possession and three plays later turned it into the game’s first score as Byron Mayes punched it through from a yard out.
We talked about setting the tone early and I felt like we were able to do that after the fumble scoring,” Craig said.
The Wolves took a 7-0 lead into the second quarter and that’s when the defense not only set the tone but took the game to a Bishops offense that nearly knocked Timberland out of the playoffs a year ago, losing a tight 21-14 battle.
Timberland scored four times in a span of just over six minutes, forcing three turnovers, the big play coming on a 17-yard interception for touchdown by defensive end Aldrick Fordham and quarterback Cody Craig scoring twice in a span of 60 seconds.
“I felt like our backs punished their defense,” Craig said. “We pretty much stayed out of third and long situations all night.”
All Lowcountry running back Rockarius King broke the game wide open at the 4:22 mark, busting untouched 63 yards up the middle as the Wolves took a 34-0 lead into the locker room.
“Our defense was just lights out and really put the hammer down on them,” Craig said of his third-ranked defense who intercepted three passes and forced three fumbles, two of the interceptions being returned for touchdowns. “I thought we hit them as hard as anyone we have played all year.”
Paul Jefferson who picked off two passes on the night, added insult to injury in the third quarter, romping 70 yards for a touchdown to make the score 48-0 just moments after Laron Milford popped through for seven yards out on the Wolves first possession of the second half.
“Paul Jefferson played great defense all night as did the rest of the defense,” said Craig, who also singled out kicker Will Bradham, who converted 7 of 8 PATs. “Will kept them pinned deep all night.”
Bishop England managed a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the Wolves’ second unit who answered back with a final TD by Jontelle Hampton who also forced the sixth Bishops turnover of the night.
Bishop England closes out the season with a 9-3 mark. The Wolves will play defending state champions Cheraw who routed Barnwell 38-14 on Saturday night.
“The next round will be a great challenge for our team against Cheraw,” Craig said. “They are two-time defending state champs and have played in the finals the last four years.”
The Braves come into Friday night’s game with a 9-3 record and the Region 8-AA champs with a spotless 5-0 mark and winners of eight straight.
“They have not lost a game in November in four years and have one of the best running backs in the state,” Craig said.
The Braves are a carbon copy of the Wolves, with both size and speed on both sides of the ball.
“This will be one of the few teams this year we play who are as big as we are and in some spots bigger,” Craig said. “We look forward to the challenge. They have something we don't a state championship. We will have to bring our A Game next Friday. I'm just glad is it at our place.”
Kickoff at Timberland HS is at 7:30 p.m.
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