Published: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 / Updated: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 12:15 AM

Chester 42, Lower Richland 7

CHESTER -- reserve quarterback Tevin Worthy, making his fourth start in place of the injured Tony McNeal, gave the Chester fans plenty to cheer about with two first-half touchdown passes, sparking the Cyclones to a 28-7 lead at intermission and eventual 42-7romp over the Diamond Hornets on Friday night.

However, the biggest roar from the Cyclones crowd came with the first possession of the second half. That is when the anticipated return of McNeal finally arrived. The talented junior took his first snap since suffering a severe knee injury against Fairfield Central on Oct. 3.

Wearing a protective brace after rehabbing a torn ACL, McNeal completed 7 of 13 passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns in three series of action. His touchdown passes covered 32 yards to Bobby Kelly in the third quarter, and 1 yard to Deitric Butler in the fourth.

“I felt good,” McNeal said afterward. “I still have to get my timing down because I missed a couple of open passes, but it really feels good to be back.

“I want to thank all of my teammates and coaches for supporting me during my rehabilitation. I came back for us to win a state championship.”

Chester coach Maurice Flowers was also elated to see No. 1 back in the lineup, but was equally impressed with Worthy's play.

“It feels good to have two good ones at quarterback like Tony and Tevin. Not many teams are able to lose a quarterback a caliber of Tony and win four tough region games like we did. Tevin came through for us in tough games against Lugoff-Elgin and Chapin, and also against A.C. Flora and again tonight against Lower Richland.”

As for McNeal, Flowers was not surprised that his all-star candidate was able to bounce back strong.

“From what we have seen in practice the last two weeks, he has been throwing the ball real well. And when Tony went in, Tevin was more than eager to play wide receiver.”

In addition to stellar quarterback play, the Cyclones clicked on all cylinders, which Flowers said is just at the right time as the state playoffs begin next week.

“For us, the state playoffs began tonight. We started off fast and that is the way we want the season to go from this point onward.”

The Cyclones ground game was once again solid with Julius Pendergrass and Brent Minter running for 65 and 89 yards, respectively, with one touchdown each. Receiver Bobby Kelly caught five passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, the Cyclones recorded six sacks, while defensive back K.D. Hicks picked off his ninth pass.

Chester, 9-1 and 4-1 in Region 4-AAA, finishes as the league's runner-up after Fairfield Central, also 4-1 in the standings, defeated Chapin 19-10 to capture the title.

CHESTER 42, LOWER RICHLAND 7

Lower Richland.....0.....7.....0.....0.....—.....7

Chester.....21.....7.....7.....7.....—.....42

SCORING SUMMARY

CHS—Bobby Kelly 50 pass from Tevin Worthy (Marshall Whitesides kick)

CHS—Julius Pendergrass 6 run (Whitesides kick)

CHS—Brent Minter 2 run (Whitesides kick)

LR—Quentin Jackson 8 pass from John Worthy (Marvin Smith kick)

CHS—Kelly 11 pass from Worthy (Whitesides kick)

CHS—Kelly 32 pass from Tony McNeal (Whitesides kick)

CHS—Deitric Butler 1 pass from McNeal (Whitesides kick)

TEAM STATISTICS

.....LRHS.....CHS

First downs.....9.....18

Rushes-yards.....27-75.....30-161

Passing.....102.....213

Comp-Att-Int;.....15-28-1.....15-25-0

Fumbles-Lost.....1-0.....1-0

Penalties-Yards.....5-40.....8-65

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Lower Richland: DeVante Wright 10-58, John Worthy 9-2, Christopher White 1-8, Quentin Jackson 5-12, Collis Martin 2-0. CHS: Julius Pendergrass 10-65, Tevin Worthy 2-5, Brent Minter 14-89, Ariane McCree 1-4, Nick Hughes 2-2, KJ Dixon 1-(-4).

PASSING—Lower Richland: John Worthy 15-26-1-102, Collis Martin 0-2-0-0. Chester: Tevin Worthy 8-12-0-138, Tony McNeal 7-13-0-75.

RECEIVING—Lower Richland: Michael Brown 4-54, Collis Martin 2-12, DeVante Wright 2-1, Ethan Adams 1-4, Desmond Wallace 4-10, Quentin Jackson 1-8, Christopher White 1-13. Chester: Deterrion Hardin 2-14, Deon Strong 2-46, Bobby Kelly 5-108, Julius Pendergrass 2-22, Deitric Butler 4-23.

RECORDS: Chester 9-1, 4-1 Region 4-AAA; Lower Richland 3-7, 1-4.