Indian Land falls in first round of playoffs

The Woodruff Wolverines scored 14 points in the opening period, survived a scare from Indian Land in the second and third quarters, and went on to claim a 45-14 victory over the Warriors in the first round of the Class 2A Division 1 playoffs Friday night.

The Wolverines wasted no time in scoring. Keegan Holloran passed to Keith Pearson for 80 yards and a touchdown on the first play of the game for a 7-0 lead.

Woodruff recovered a Warriors’ fumble on the ensuing kickoff and drove for another touchdown. This time Holloran passed to Qua Phelps on a 28-yard play and the Wolverines were up 14-0 with eight minutes remaining in the opening period.

The Warriors fought back with a touchdown in the second quarter. Lee Massey capped a long Indian Land march with a one-yard plunge, and the Wolverines’ lead was cut to 14-7 with 2:39 remaining until intermission.

Woodruff answered. Holloran found Pearson again for a 19-yard scoring pass, and the Wolverines were up 21-7 with 39 ticks remaining until halftime.

The Warriors cut the deficit to 21-14 early in the third quarter. David Loughery passed 12 yards to Dillon Mackey with 9:38 remaining in the period.

The Wolverines answered. Bowen Waddell kicked a 34-yard field and Woodruff was in front 24-14 with 6:26 left in the third quarter.

Woodruff added another touchdown just before the end of the period, and tacked on another midway through the final stanza for a 38-14 cushion. Holloran passed to Shadron Jones on a 27-yard play for one score and found Duke Ferguson on a 64-yard play for the other.

The Warriors drove to the Woodruff 15-yard line with 5:02 left in the game, but lost the ball on downs. The Wolverines responded with a long drive for the final score of the contest. Holloran passed to Tristen Evans for 15 yards and the touchdown.

The win improved Woodruff to 10-1 The Wolverines move to the second round of playoffs next Friday night. The loss ended the Warriors’ season at 7-4.

This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 7:59 AM with the headline "Indian Land falls in first round of playoffs."