Published: 10:36 AM, Sat Aug 18, 2012
Terry Sanford clips Westover, 21-6
By Junious Smith III
Correspondent
Last season, Terry Sanford defeated Westover 14-0 in its season opener.
On Friday night, deja vu struck again, but that wasn't the only thing that hit the field.
Terry Sanford's Brandon Miller ran for 144 yards and the defense forced four turnovers in the Bulldogs' 21-6 victory over the Wolverines.
"We were doing our part to rebound after a 2-9 season last year," Miller said. "Our coach (Wayne Inman) wanted the seniors to step up and show leadership, which is what we were able to do tonight."
Terry Sanford struck on its initial possession. Jonathan Blackmon took a short pass from quarterback Darryl Bonner and turned it into a 28-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the game.
Westover's Marquis Hall took the ensuing kickoff to the Terry Sanford 26, but fumbled three plays later inside the Bulldogs' 8-yard line. Terry Sanford went on a 19-play, 92-yard drive ending with Bonner running for a 5-yard touchdown and a 14-0 advantage for the Bulldogs.
The game was then suspended for 1 hour, 16 minutes due to inclement weather. The lightning stopped, but a steady rain poured for the remainder of the contest.
After the delay, Westover's Henry Howard scored on a 4-yard run early in the second quarter to narrow the deficit to 14-6. The score held at halftime.
After Westover failed to convert on fourth down at the Terry Sanford 18 on its opening possession of the second half, the Bulldogs went 82 yards in three plays. The drive ended with a 72-yard touchdown connection from Bonner to Jamaal Daniel.
Westover controlled the ball for most of the second half and outgained Terry Sanford 323-270 throughout the game.
The Wolverines' downfall came in the form of red zone offense, only scoring once in six opportunities, including three fumbles inside the Terry Sanford 20.
"Westover moved the ball extremely well against us," Inman said. "We were able to force turnovers, but there are things we can work on defensively for next week."
Wolverines running back Jalen Jiggetts ran for a game-high 149 yards while quarterback Henry Howard was 6 of 21 for 83 yards with one interception. For Terry Sanford, Darryl Bonner threw for 117 yards on 5 of 6 passing.