Lexington hands Wando a heartbreaking loss
The Wando football team is finding new ways to lose games.
Lexington quarterback Brandon Blake threw for 351 yards and two touchdowns as the Wildcats rallied to beat Wando, 40-35, Friday night before a capacity crowd of more than 5,000 at Wando Stadium.
The Warriors (0-3) squandered a 14-point fourth quarter lead, committing two turnovers and giving up three touchdowns in the final 12 minutes of the game as the Wildcats improved to 2-1 on the season.
It was a disheartening end to a game that Warriors could have won.
“It’s very disappointing for everyone involved,” said Wando head coach Jimmy Noonan. “We played our rear ends off and I’m proud of that, but right now we just don’t know how to win. Ball security is so important in the fourth quarter and we put the ball on the ground twice when we were going in for a score. We let people behind in the fourth quarter and we just can’t allow that.”
The loss overshadowed a spectacular game from Wando quarterback Bailey Hart and wide receiver Ortre Smith. Hart completed 26 of 48 passes for 427 yards and three TDs, while Smith finished with 16 receptions for 321 yards and two TDs. Warriors running back Kevin Brown had 192 yards on 19 attempts.
“We moved the ball, we put points up on the board, but we left some points on the field too,” Noonan said. “We missed a couple of field goals and we had four turnovers. They recovered an onside kick. You can’t lose the turnover battle. Bailey and Ortre both played well.”
So well, that Lexington coach Josh Stepp is glad that’s this is last he’ll see of Hart and Smith.
“Smith is a special, special football player,” Stepp said. “We couldn’t cover him. I’m glad I won’t have to see him again until he’s playing on Saturdays in a couple of seasons.”
If not for Smith’s night, Lexington wide receiver Tyler Schadewald would have been the story of the game, catching eight passes for 187 yards and two TDs, both coming in the fourth quarter including the game winner.
The two teams combined for 1,044 yards of total offense – 525 for Wando and 519 for Lexington.
“The skill guys on both teams made some plays,” Stepp said.
Trailing 35-21 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Wildcats scored 19 unanswered points. Ervin Green pulled the Wildcats to within, 35-28, with a 3-yard TD run with 9:49 to play in regulation.
After a Wando turnover, Schadewald caught an 8-yard TD pass, but the extra point was blocked as Wando clung to a 35-34 lead with 6:47 to play.
The Warriors took the ball down to the Lexington 10, but Hart fumbled trying to stretch for extra yards.
It took five play as Schadewald capped an 87-yard drive with a 32-yard TD catch with 5:01 to play for the go ahead score.
The Warriors again appeared ready to retake the lead, but Hart’s interception ended any hopes of a Wando comeback.
“For three quarters we didn’t play very well on either side of the ball,” Stepp said. “But this team showed some character and some grit and we always tell them to play for 48 minutes.