NEWBERRY — After inclement weather postponed 2015 Newberry High School’s homecoming festivities until this coming Friday against Keenan, the Bulldogs won their 13th regional opener since the year 2000 with their 28-7 victory Friday over Eau Claire at Mike Ware Field.
For the third straight time this season, Newberry scored on its first offensive possession of the evening.
After a quick three-and-out, Newberry was forced to punt but they were awarded a first down after the Shamrocks were penalized for having 12 players on the field during the play.
Keeping the ball on the ground seven straight plays, Yafari Werts thought he had scored from 27 yards out but a holding penalty nullified the run.
Instead, the senior scored on the very next play as his 25 yard scamper gave the Bulldogs the 7-0 lead after the Ethan Day PAT with just under six minutes left in the first quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, Ocyrus Chaplin’s punt pinned the visitors at the one-yard line.
Two penalties on Eau Claire soon saw them facing a fourth-and-18 from their 7 where Newberry took over just 42 yards from the end zone.
Amir Abrams got the call four of the five plays it took to put the ball at the one.
Werts scored one play later as Day’s PAT sent Newberry into the locker rooms 4:16 later with the 14-0 lead.
All 21 of Eau Claire’s yardage came on the ground while Newberry got all but 37 yards of its 153 yardage in the first half from the ground.
After Eau Claire was held to a three-and-out to start the second half, Newberry needed only two plays to cover the needed 49 yards as Chris Wadsworth padded his 1000-yard rushing career mark with his 44- yard touchdown run. Day’s PAT was good as Newberry now led 21-0 just 1:58 into the third quarter.
Looking at 92 yards in front of them on their next drive after a penalty, Werts pulled off the hat trick with his 52-yard touchdown run on a third-and-seven with 4:13 still left in the third quarter as Day’s kick ended the Newberry scoring.
Eau Claire was able to score their first points on Newberry since 1999 as they ended a five-play 77-yard drive with a 44-yard touchdown run before the PAT kick with 2:58 left in the contest.
Jaleel Gilliam and Zicorious Riley each caught a pass for 21 and 16 yards respectively.
Abrams ended the night with 17 carries for 108 yards while Wadsworth scampered five times for 79 yards.
Werts rushed 11 times for a total of 98 yards.
Derrick Scurry had six carries for 54 yards while Tyriq Goodman had a three-yard loss.
Jamie Busby ran the ball three times for three yards while Ivan Ruff had two carries for three yards and Shy Williams had a lone carry for two yards.
With the victory, Newberry has now won at least one home game in all but one season since 1956.
Newberry, who is ranked third in the latest AP 2A poll, improves to 4-1 on the season as this is the first time since the 2001-03 seasons that the Bulldogs have started three consecutive seasons with at least a 4-1 record.