- Central's Dominates First Game as 1A Team
Lewisville, SC--The Central Eagles played their first game as a 1A team on August 21. Central traveled to face the Lewisville Lions, ranked number six in the 1A statewide preseason poll. The Eagles ranked fifth, making it an even matchup on paper. Instead, it turned into a rout as Central scored the first 40 points en route to a 56-14 win.
Central took control from the very first drive. The Eagles marched 80 yards in six plays to open the scoring. Senior quarterback Dwayne Louallen found Dylan Tomberlin on a short out from the 17. Marzavious Allen set up the touchdown with a 47-yard run down the near sideline.
On the Lions first six plays they managed just -2 yards and threw an interception. Aiden Welch picked off Ridarius Harris' pass, setting Central up at the Lewisville 21. Louallen put the Eagles up 13-0 with a three-yard run up the middle.
A methodical 76-yard drive extended the Eagles lead. Louallen found Darin Gaines on a quick out from the 11. Louallen's 20-yard quarterback counter set up the touchdown pass.
The very next play the Lions fumbled the handoff, setting Central up at Lewisville's 41. Martell Ruben scored from there on the second play of the drive, pushing the lead to 26-0 at the half.
Five first half sacks and three first half turnovers kept the Lions off the scoreboard. Tomberlin intercepted Harris' pass in the end zone just before halftime, ending Lewisville's best chance to score.
The opening moments of the second half proved disastrous for the Lions. Allen scored in two plays, accounting for all 51 yards on the drive. He burst around the far side and down the sideline from Lewisville's 33 to put the Eagles up 32-0.
Five plays later Jaylen Davis sacked Harris, stripping the ball from Harris. Tahir Wise picked up the football at the 41 and raced down the field. Lewisville's Jaylin Douglas knocked the ball out of his hands just before Wise crossed the goal line. Dailyn Blakeney proved to be Johnny on the spot for Central, falling on the ball in the end zone. Jayden Robinson's two-point run put the Eagles up 40.
The Lions finally got on the board, in part due to three Central personal foul penalties. Backup quarterback Matthew Cousar hit TJ Boulware on a quick screen for the thirty-three-yard catch and run. AJ Price converted the two-point run.
Just one play later Jayden Robinson made two Lewisville defenders miss and raced down the near sideline. He found pay dirt 58 yards later. He also ran in the two-point conversion.
The Lions marched 64 yards on their next drive for their final score of the night. Cousar found Douglas on a 12- yard fade in the near corner of the end zone.
Allen capped off the Eagles final scoring drive with a three-yard plunge. His two-point run forced a running clock.
Central picked off Cousar twice in the fourth quarter, bringing their turnover total to six. Timmy Tyson and Davis led the team in tackles with six. Five different players recorded a sack, and four different Eagles defenders intercepted a pass.
Allen led the team in rushing, receiving, touchdowns, and all-purpose yards. He rushed 10-121, was 2-34 receiving, and rushed for two touchdowns. Robinson rushed 7-99 and a touchdown.
After Central's bye week it takes on a long-standing rival the Andrew Jackson Volunteers. The Eagles home opener is on September 4. The Volunteers won their opener, holding off the Cheraw Braves 13-12.