Published: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 / Updated: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 12:24 AM

Chester 41, A.C. Flora 22

1024CHESTERFB -- CHESTER -- Quarterback Tevin Worthy, making his third start in place of injured Tony McNeal, ran for four touchdowns in the Cyclones' 41-22 win over A.C. Flora on Friday night.

Worthy gained 62 yards on 12 carries to ignite a potent ground game, which generated 259 yards.

His touchdown runs came on the zone-read, in which Worthy was able to gauge the defensive flow against the running of tailbacks Julius Pendergrass and Brent Minter, who gained 109 and 80 yards, respectively.

"We put that play in after Tony got hurt," Worthy said. "We were working on it continuously in practice. It really began to open up in the second half."

Chester coach Maurice Flowers said Worthy did an outstanding job, and that his team adjusted well against a pesky Falcons squad.

"A.C. Flora was ready to play,” Flowers said. “They made plays and gave us fits, especially in the first half."

Chester led 14-7 at the half, and found itself in a 14-14 deadlock midway through the third quarter.

However, the Cyclones (8-1, 3-1 Region 4-AAA) were able to regroup and methodically pull away.

"We are championship-tested and we did not panic,” Flowers said. “However, we have to do a better job at starting games. We went into the half and made necessary adjustments and saw the run game open up in the second half."

The victory also moves the Cyclones into a first-place tie in the region with Fairfield Central, which fell to Lugofff-Elgin on Friday. The Cyclones, ranked fifth in the AAA polll, will end the regular season next week at home against Lower Richland.

CHESTER 41, A.C. FLORA 22

A.C. Flora.....7.....0.....7.....8.....—.....22

Chester.....7.....7.....7.....20.....—.....41

SCORING SUMMARY

CHS — Julius Pendergrass 24 interception return (Marshall Whitesides kick)

ACF — Stephen Cagle 9 pass to Travis Watson (Sam Caldera kick)

CHS — Tevin Worthy 6 run (Whitesides kick)

ACF — Sterling Mitchell 5 run (Caldera kick)

CHS — Pendergrass 2 run (Whitesides kick)

CHS — Worthy 23 pass to Brent Minter (Whitesides kick)

CHS — Worthy 7 run (Whitesides kick)

CHS — Worthy 8 run (kick failed)

ACF — Mitchell 4 run (Daquan Pelzer pass to Watson)

TEAM STATISTICS

.....ACFHS.....CHS

First downs.....22.....21

Rushes-yards.....46-189.....49-259

Comp-Att-Int.....8-18-2.....9-17-0

Passing yards.....79.....127

Fumbles-lost.....3-3.....2-1

Penalties-yards.....7-35.....12-79

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — A.C. Flora: Cedric Cornelius 14-54, Stephen Cagle 9-10, Edward Kirkland 6-17, Sterling Mitchell 7-40, Ricky Williams 8-56, Daquan Pelzer 2-12. Chester: Julius Pendergrass 20-109, Brent Minter 14-80, Tevin Worthy 12-62, K.J. Dixon 2-5, Nick Hughes 1-3.

PASSING — A.C. Flora: Stephen Cagle 8-17-2-79, Pelzer 0-1-0-0. Chester: Tevin Worthy 9-17-0-127.

RECEIVING — A.C. Flora: Nick Boykin 3-38, Travis Watson 2-19, Tenerio Johnson 1-3, Conner Lewis 2-19. Chester: Julius Pendergrass 1-15, Deterrion Hardin 1-7, Deon Strong 3-41, Brent Minter 3-46, Bobby Kelly 1-18.

RECORDS: A.C. Flora 3-6, 1-3 Region 4-AAA; Chester 8-1, 3-1.