Irmo can’t keep up with Hanna in first-round defeat
T.L. Hanna celebrated its first postseason appearance in five years with a convincing 41–14 win over Irmo at W.C. Hawkins Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets improved to 8-4 and will face top-seed Spartanburg next week in the second round of the Class 4A, Division II playoffs.
Irmo, which salvaged its season with a second-place finish in Region 5-4A, closed with a 4-8 record.
TURNING POINT
Tiras Williams’ strip sack/fumble recovery touchdown late in the first half gave T.L. Hanna a two-score lead and demoralized the host Yellow Jackets. Williams hit Irmo quarterback Mason Smith in the end zone and ripped the ball out of Smith’s hands on the way down to the ground.
KEY PERFORMERS
Alex Meredith: The freshman Hanna quarterback was 16-for-25 passing for 206 yards and three touchdowns. Meredith has thrown for more than 3,100 yards to date.
Lucas Catalforno: The Hanna wide receiver caught four passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns. He has 18 scoring catches this season.
Darien Rencher: The Hanna running back ran for 113 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries.
THEY SAID IT
“The playoffs are about winning and advancing and we did that. This is the first time any of these players ever dressed for a playoff game, so yeah, it’s a big deal for us.” – Hanna coach Bruce Ollis
“I knew it was going to take time, but we’re making progress. We’ll be a team for contend with soon, maybe next season.” – Irmo coach Reggie Kennedy
KEY NUMBERS
21: Number of seasons Kennedy has been a head coach in South Carolina.
6: Number of schools Kennedy has coached in South Carolina – Kingstree, Fairfield Central, Orangeburg-Wilkinson, Blythewood, Sumter and Irmo.
72: Receiving yards on four catches for Catalforno and Cowman.
HOW THEY SCORED
1st Quarter
TLH – Lucas Catalforno 27 pass from Alex Meredith (Reel Wise kick), 6:16
TLH – Jajuan Blakenship fumble recovery in end zone (Wise kick), 1:54
2nd Quarter
TLH – Zay Cowan 38 pass from Meredith (kick failed), 10:24
I – Mason Smith 1 run (Austin Cates kick), 1:19
3rd Quarter
TLH – Davijuan Dean 8 run (Wise kick), 10:15
TLH – Catalforno 26 pass from Meredith (Wise kick), 6:01
I – Jeff Tharp 22 run (Cates kick), 1:51
4th Quarter
TLH – Darien Rencher 7 run (Wise kick), 9:45
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: TLH – Rencher 15-113, Meredith 9-38, Dean 8-60. I – Bradley 9-53, Tharp 7-67.
Passing: TLH – Meredith 16-25-1-206. I – Smith 9-15-0-102.
Receiving: TLH – Catalforno 4-72, Cowan 4-72. I – Heath 2-28, Dewitt 3-23.