Marlboro County, South Florence net wins in Derrick Law Firm Carolinas Kickoff Clash

Marlboro County struggled early, but got big plays on defense and special teams to hold off North Brunswick (N.C.) 27-19 on Saturday in the Derrick Law Firm Carolinas Kickoff Clash at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.

The Bulldogs fell behind quickly after the Scorpions’ Kinney Roller returned the opening kickoff to the Marlboro County 37. Six plays later Tiger Bryant hit Latrell Hill for a 1-yard touchdown. The conversion failed.

Both teams began to struggle from there. Marlboro County fumbled away its next possession and turned the ball over on downs three times before finally getting on the board when Malik Townsend took a sweep to right and into the end zone for 16 yards out with 5:41 to play in the first half.

The Bulldogs (1-0) added another score as the first half expired when O.J. Smith picked off Bryant and returned the interception 70 yards. The kick failed and Marlboro County took a 13-7 edge into the locker room.

The Scorpions tied the game early in the third quarter on a 4-yard touchdown run by J.C. Smith with 8:50 left.

That’s when Marlboro County found its grove, going ahead on a 9-yard scoring pass from Jacob Evers to Tony Graham, then stretching the lead to 27-13 when Decosta Ford blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown with 1:23 left in the third.

North Brunswick (1-1) had a chance in the fourth quarter after cutting the lead to 8 on a 1-yard run by Bryant. The Scorpions then recovered the onside kick, but that drive ended with a fumble.

The Scorpions had one last shot, reaching deep into Bulldogs territory, but a pass interference call left them with a first-and-goal from the 25 with a minute to play, and Roller picked off a pass over the middle from Bryant to seal the victory for Marlboro County.

South Florence 64, Southeast Raleigh (N.C.) 44: South Florence scored early and often to pull away from Southeast Raleigh (N.C.) in the Derrick Law Firm Carolinas Kickoff Clash at Doug Shaw Memorial Staduim.

Bruins quarterback Lindsay Robinson threw eight touchdown passes Michael Grimsley ran for three scores, and David Vereen and Ty White each had three touchdowns catches.

Aquanzie Bethea and Ty King also caught scoring passes for South Florence (1-1).

This story was originally published August 29, 2015 at 9:58 PM with the headline "Marlboro County, South Florence net wins in Derrick Law Firm Carolinas Kickoff Clash."