Irmo off to best start since 2005; Lower Richland snaps long losing streak

The rebuilding project at Irmo took another step forward Thursday.

Kendrell Flowers had two TDs, and the Yellow Jackets scored a defensive and special teams’ touchdown in the 38-27 victory.

Irmo improves to 3-0 on the season, its best start since 2005.

“I told the kids it was a three-year process,” said Irmo coach Reggie Kennedy, who is in his third season. “And our seniors have played a big rolein this.”

Trailing 15-14 at halftime, Irmo’s Angel Carmana kicked a field goal and then DeAndre Diggs recovered a bad snap on a Chapin punt in the end zone to put the Jackets up 24-15 in the third quarter.

Chapin answered with LaRob Gordon’s touchdown pass to brother Xzavion Gordon to cut the lead to 24-21 with 2:10 left in the third. Gordon finished with nine catches for 132 yards and three TDs.

LaRob and Roger Pedroni split time at QB and each threw for more than 100 yards.

The Yellow Jackets responded as Diggs stripped and scored on a fumble and Flowers scored on a touchdown run in the fourth to make it 38-21. Flowers finished with 113 yards of total offense.

Raekwon Heath had a TD catch from John Ragin on Irmo’s first possession. Ragin was 14-of-25 for 168 yards and two TDs.

Heath caught three passes for 71 yards.

Lower Richland 24, Airport 19

At Lower Richland, Tevaughn Higgins ran for two second-half touchdowns, and the Diamond Hornets snapped their 19-game losing streak.

It was LR’s first win since beating Orangeburg-Wilkinson in 2015.

Lower Richland trailed 13-12 in the fourth quarter but Higgins scored on a 2-yard run and added a 30-yarder to put LR up 24-13.

Airport’s Justin Allen scored on a 1-yard run with less than a minute left but the Eagles didn’t recover the onside kick.

Ridge View 28, Ninety Six 7

At Ninety Six, Javon Anderson threw two touchdown passes, and the Blazers won their second straight game.

Anderson had TD passes to Walyn Napper and Bernard Porter. Damion Daley returned an interception for a TD and Trashad Jett ran for a touchdown.

Blythewood 9, Fairfield Central 6

At Blythewood, Jaylon Boyd scored on a 5-yard run with 6:24 left to help the Bengals past the Griffins.

Boyd finished with 112 yards rushing.

Fairfield quarterback Antonio Jackson had a four-yard run to put the Griffins up 6-0 in the first quarter.

Gray Collegiate 24, Dreher 21

At Memorial Stadium, Hunter Helms hit Chylon Thomas on a 46-yard pass with 41 seconds left to give the War Eagles a comeback victory.

Dreher had a chance to tie it but missed a field goal as time expired.

Helms finished with 300 yards passing with 120 going to Thomas. Julian Jackson rushed for 104 yards and a TD for Gray Collegiate.

Saluda 28, Mid-Carolina 21

At Mid-Carolina, Noah Bell hit CJ Bosket on a 46-yard touchdown pass with less than a minute left to give Saluda the win.

Bell finished with 135 yards in the air. Cade Ruff threw for 106 yards for the Rebels.

This story was originally published August 31, 2017 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Irmo off to best start since 2005; Lower Richland snaps long losing streak."