Greenwood’s Dramatic Win Against T.L. Hanna Marks an Exciting Start to Region Play
Greenwood, South Carolina – Under the warm Saturday sun, where temperatures soared to a scorching 93°F and light winds barely provided relief, locals witnessed a hotly contested football game on Friday night, which showcased the indomitable spirit of the Greenwood Eagles.
The game, played in ideal conditions with just a few clouds dotting the afternoon sky and a pleasant evening low of 67°F, saw the Greenwood Eagles claw their way back from a 21-10 deficit to secure a thrilling 25-21 victory against the T.L. Hanna Yellow Jackets. The Eagles’ triumphant comeback in the game’s dying moments electrified the night and demonstrated their resilience and team spirit.
At the heart of the Eagles’ fight was their talented junior quarterback, Triston Lewis. Displaying remarkable composure, Lewis spearheaded the offensive charge, notching up a memorable three touchdowns and racking up impressive stats with 157 passing yards and 135 rushing yards. His pivotal play, a 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Landen Still late in the fourth quarter, sealed the deal for the Eagles and crowned an inspiring performance.
“Our coaches did a great job of just motivating them all week. Hanna’s been tougher than us the last couple of years, and to be quite honest with you, we were tired of it,” said Greenwood’s head coach, Chris Liner, reflecting on the team’s perseverance and preparation for the contest.
A Tale of Two Halves
Despite the Yellow Jackets’ formidable wing-T ground game, the night belonged to the Eagles. In a display of adaptability, Hanna momentarily shifted to airborne attacks, resulting in three consecutive touchdown plays between the second and third quarters, stunning the Greenwood defense and fans alike.
However, Greenwood’s defensive unit responded superbly after that. Following the Yellow Jackets’ last touchdown, they were held to a net loss of 11 yards across three consecutive three-and-out drives, underscoring the Eagles’ defensive tenacity.
Highlighted by Ahmad Scott’s sack on Hanna quarterback Brandon Cunningham, the Eagles’ defense anchored the win by stifling any further scoring threats, especially in the clutch moments of the game.
A Noteworthy Offensive Display
The offensive strategy for Greenwood shone brightly as Lewis took control. He navigated the field with precision, converting crucial fourth downs and ultimately tossing the game-winning pass to Still, who was ready and reliable in the end zone.
“I saw the corner, he came down to the flats, and Landen was just wide open,” Lewis recalled. “I know if I throw anywhere within five yards of Landen, he’ll go get the ball.”
With the region opener victory, Greenwood now carries a 3-1 record into its next challenge.
Looking Ahead
Coach Liner emphasized the significance of the win, reminding his team and supporters of the tough road ahead. “We hadn’t beat Hanna in a while, and so being 1-0 in the region, and it’s a tough region. We’ve got another really tough team coming up next week, so we start off bang-bang, and got Hillcrest next week, and we’ll just go out there and battle with them.”
The Greenwood Eagles look forward to continuing their winning ways as they head to their next game, buoyed by the confidence gleaned from this electrifying comeback victory at home.
