The Raiders give Porter its first LDHS win with a 45-0 win over the Tigers – The Laurens County Advertiser

Laurens picked up the first win of the Greg Porter era on Friday night as the Raiders defeated Southside 45-0 at KC Hanna Stadium after a two-week pause due to Hurricane Helene.

Porter, hired last offseason to improve LDHS’ football fortunes, got off to a rocky start during a winless and injury-plagued non-conference program.

When the Raiders got frustrated, they fought back against an overwhelmed Southside.

“I’m proud of the team and the players and it’s nice to see them come through for once,” said Porter.

The Raiders (1-5 overall, 1-0 Region 1-4A) scored more points (32) at halftime than in their five previous games (31) this season and opened the game with a 25-point blitz in the first quarter .

Quarterback Will Thompson capped the game’s first 60-yard, five-play drive with the first of three touchdown runs, and Ze’Mar Jones recovered a scrimmage fumble on the next play and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown, as LDHS jumped out to a 15-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.

In addition to the defensive score, Javaye Suber returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown with 2:45 left in the third quarter, giving the Raiders a 45-0 lead. From that point on, the game was played with a running clock due to the South Carolina High School League’s mercy rule.

Suber, a senior defensive back, also had an interception in the first half and finished the game with 228 total yards. He led the team in rushing with 67 yards and gained those yards when the Raiders used him behind center in the third quarter in their “Wildcat” offensive package.

Porter said the break from school and football as the area recovered from Hurricane Helene may have helped. Aside from some players — including Thompson and Suber — recovering from injuries, the team was able to hit the reset button after a tough non-region schedule that included games against Hillcrest, Clinton and Belton-Honea Path.

“It was probably the best thing for us (football-wise),” Porter said of the break. “Everyone came back focused and ready to work.”

LDHS didn’t punt at all in the first half. Punter-kicker Brock Franklin only punted once the entire game.

The Tigers (0-6, 0-1) totaled 126 yards on offense, while the Raiders finished with a season-high 360 yards, including 231 on the ground.

LDHS athletic director Tommy Spiers presented Porter with the game ball in recognition of the coach’s first win with the Raiders.

The Raiders travel to face Wren (4-1, 1-0) next Friday night. Wren defeated Fountain Inn 49-12

Laurens 45, Southside 0