Loris shifts focus to key final game after being shut out by Dillon

No South Carolina teams have had much success against Dillon this season.

You can add Loris to that list following a 37-0 loss to the perennial power on Friday night.

However, the Lions were able to keep it close for a while.

“The halftime score was 14-0, which you don’t really get into moral victories but we had some opportunities to – not say score – but kind of keep the ball out of [their hands],” said Loris coach Jamie Snider, whose team managed just 75 total yards of offense. “We’ve had teams with better records that have gone in at halftime down much worse than that. But physically, what Dillon was able to do was continue to make plays in the second half and we didn’t. There you go. … Yes, typical Dillon.”

More importantly, now the Lions can shift their focus to a pivotal regular-season finale against Georgetown.

Both teams are 2-2 in Region VI-3A and are guaranteed playoff spots behind region champ Dillon and Lake City, now locked into the No. 2 spot after beating the Bulldogs 27-20 in overtime Friday night. That leaves Loris hosting Georgetown with third place on the line next Friday.

“Obviously four teams make the playoffs, so Georgetown and us both know we’re in. The winner gets the third seed; the loser gets to play a region champion. So, lots to play for without question,” Snider said. “Coach [Ken] Cribb and the guys down there do a great job and for us it will be a tough test. But hopefully we’ll reconvene Monday and get ready for them because even though you’re excited about going to the playoffs, there’s still plenty to play for in the final region game.”

For Snider and Co., being at home is key despite the fact they’ve lost two straight on their home turf.

“I don’t know about other teams, but we’ve lost to Lake City and Dillon at home and that type of thing, but it’s sure nice for the last week of the regular season to not go on the road, no doubt,” Snider said.

This story was originally published November 4, 2016 at 11:22 PM with the headline "Loris shifts focus to key final game after being shut out by Dillon."