Indian Land overcomes early deficit, tops Lancaster to secure regional playoff berth
No complicated math. No confusing tiebreaker scenarios. For Adam Hastings’ Indian Land Warriors, the calculus was simple for Friday night’s game against Lancaster — win and go to the playoffs.
The homestanding Bruins took it to the Warriors on the first drive, unfurling a 15-play march that drained nearly nine minutes from the clock and afforded Lancaster a lead after its first possession.
Indian Land responded swiftly — and often — to cash in 21 first-half points on fewer than 15 plays from scrimmage thanks to two long touchdown runs and an 88-yard fumble return, putting away Lancaster, 35-14, and clinching a coveted playoff spot Friday night at Lancaster Memorial Stadium.
The playoffs were not the Warriors’ primary focus, however.
“We actually didn’t talk a lot about (the playoffs),” Hastings said. “I wanted our guys to understand that even though we had three (region) losses, we’re playing really good football. What I didn’t want them to do is to take those losses — I wanted our guys to understand that we’re a good football team. We have to continue to understand that and show up and put good days together.
“Our future was in our own hands.”
Indian Land (6-4, 2-3 Region 3-4A) scored on long touchdown runs from Jaden Singletary and Malachi Jefferson as part of their first-half attack. Lancaster (3-7, 0-5) produced another sustained drive that ventured into the Indian Land red zone, but the opportunistic Warriors compelled a fumble that Jaden Peoples returned virtually untouched to halt the Bruins’ charge.
“I think it was just not flinching,” Hastings said of his team’s response to Lancaster’s opening drive and seizing opportunities. “I think we scored and everybody kind of got going.”
Jefferson added a short score on his second carry of the game in the third quarter. Myles Stinson took advantage of a designed quarterback sprint and marched in from seven yards away as the fourth quarter began, enlarging the Warriors’ lead. Dakarai Vann careened into the end zone from nine yards away just inside the seven-minute mark for the Bruins, but the margin was still too considerable for the Bruins to overcome.
“Lancaster has to be one of the most improved teams in this area from last year. Coach (Marcus) Surratt has done a great job,” Hastings said. “They’re explosive and they play hard. We knew it wasn’t going to be a one punch and they’re out mentality. We knew we were going to have to bring it. I thought our guys did a really good job of that.”
Singletary finished near the 100-yard mark on the ground for the Warriors, tallying a touchdown in the process. Quarterback Jaxon Scheidt added nearly 40 yards on seven carries, with running back/quarterback Stinson adding 36 and a score. Jefferson tallied 31 yards on two rushing touchdowns.
Vann eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the Bruins, rushing for 102 yards on 21 carries and adding the late score. Bruins quarterback JaRon Stevenson carried 12 times for 72 yards and the other Lancaster score before exiting the game.
The Warriors make their second postseason trip in Hastings’ three years at the helm and will travel to the top seed from Region 2-4A next week. Hastings and the Warriors are excited about the opportunity.
“We get an opportunity to go play teams that we don’t know. They don’t know us,” Hastings said. “I love playing Lancaster and all these rival schools, but I kind of want to play somebody I’ve never seen before. To finish the season the way we did is just a real plus for our guys.”
Box score
Indian Land 35, Lancaster 14
Indian Land 7 14 7 7 — 35
Lancaster 7 0 0 7 — 14
SCORING SUMMARY
First quarter
L – JaRon Stevenson 7 run (Daniel Vincent kick) 3:11
IL – Malachi Jefferson 29 run (Jordan Blades kick) :51
Second quarter
IL – Jaden Singletary 49 run (Blades kick) 9:59
IL – Jaden Peoples 88 fumble return (Blades kick) 6:07
Third quarter
IL – Jefferson 2 run (Blades kick) 1:30
Fourth quarter
IL – Myles Stinson 7 run (Blades kick) 11:33
L – Dakarai Vann 9 run (Vincent kick) 6:55