Four downs: How Conway turned back the clock for a satisfying, region-clinching win

Conway didn’t need a hashtag or witty Facebook, Instagram or Twitter post to turn back the clock this past Friday night.

All that was necessary on this #FlashbackFriday was discipline, toughness and a lot of guts.

A hard-nosed running game and stifling defense carried Conway on this night, allowing it to leave Sumter with a 14-13 win. By virtue of the victory and a West Florence win over Carolina Forest minutes later, the Tigers (8-1, 4-0 Region 6-5A) clinched a share of the Region 6-5A title, their first since 2008.

Coming in, the Fighting Gamecocks’ offense was averaging more than 375 yards per game. On Friday night, however, they would get nowhere near that total, as Conway plugged running lanes and made sure tackles.

Sumter racked up a total of 169 total yards in the game — only 34 of those coming after halftime.

“In the first half, we played on a 30-yard field and yet we bowed our back and made some stops,” said Conway defensive coordinator Kelly Andreucci. “We gave up that first score when they went heavy, but our objective was the same — and that was getting to the quarterback.

“It was big (having Sumter quarterback Zykeim Jackson) leave the game. But I thought our kids bought in at halftime to a few adjustments we made, and that was huge stopping what they were trying to do running the football.”

With its defense playing at a high level, the Tigers were able to adopt a more conservative approach on the offensive side of the ball.

Despite being without starter Antonio Long, Conway rushed for nearly 200 yards in the game. More importantly, it allowed the Tigers to keep a banged up — yet talented — Sumter group from climbing back into the fray.

Stepping up to take on a bigger load of the carries were Rakim Bellamy and Daquawn Clark, rushing for 72 and 55 yards, respectively.

“I told our kids to do their job,” said Conway football coach Carlton Terry. “You go through adversity, it’s how you go on to the next play and perform … and battle. This game was a battle from beginning to end and our guys played four quarters.”

Time to celebrate: Conway wasn’t the only Grand Strand area football team celebrating a region championship on Friday night.

North Myrtle Beach scored 35 points in the first half, allowing it to cruise to a 48-20 win over Marlboro County. Already having claimed a share of the Region 7-4A title, the Chiefs (9-0, 3-0 Region 7-4A) now set their sights on completing their first undefeated regular season in school history.

Carvers Bay will have an opportunity to settle an old score with Latta on Friday night … just not with the specter of a Region 7-2A title hanging over both squads.

The Bears (8-1, 5-0 Region 7-2A) claimed a share of their second straight league title, this after a rout of Johnsonville and Mullins’ 33-13 upset of Latta.

Who else is in?: Despite taking it on the chin against West Florence, Carolina Forest (5-4, 2-2 Region 6-5A) had previously sewn up one of the four bids awarded to Region 6-5A.

Myrtle Beach (5-4, 2-1 Region 7-4A) is also set to return to the postseason in Region 7-4A, while Georgetown has locked down the No. 2 spot in Region 6-3A and the right to start the postseason at home.

Andrews (7-2, 4-1 Region 7-2A) can finish no higher than No. 2 in Region 7-2A, but has earned the opportunity to host its playoff opener.

St. James and Waccamaw have been eliminated from playoff contention.

What’s left to be decided?: Myrtle Beach has punched its playoff ticket, but its first round playoff destination has yet to be decided. We’ll find out Thursday when the Seahawks travel to Wilson, with the winner claiming Region 7-4A’s No. 2 spot.

Carolina Forest went from having a shot at a Region 6-5A title to possibly falling to the league’s No. 4 seed, this after a home loss to West Florence. However, a Panthers win over Conway and a South Florence upset of the Knights could bump Carolina Forest up a spot.

Meanwhile, Socastee’s (5-4, 1-3 Region 6-5A) hopes of an at-large bid could jump exponentially with a win over Sumter. The Braves’ pursuit for one of the four playoff spots offered by Region 6-5A ended Friday night courtesy of West Florence’s win over Carolina Forest.

Three teams are in pursuit of the last two playoff bids in Region 6-3A. While wins by Aynor and/or Lake City would settle things rather easily, a loss by the Panthers and a Loris win would cause a three-way tie.

Head-to-head is the first tiebreaker, with defensive points allowed next on the docket.

Green Sea Floyds has slim playoff hopes, needing a win over Hannah-Pamplico and an East Clarendon loss to Creek Bridge.

This story was originally published October 22, 2017 at 10:09 AM with the headline "Four downs: How Conway turned back the clock for a satisfying, region-clinching win."