Crestwood beats Wilson 28-9 for first region win

By Dennis Brunson

hssr.com Associate Editor

           Sumter – Crestwood High School football head coach Roosevelt Nelson insists he was not worried about how his team was handling a 3-game losing streak that included a pair of Region 5-AAAA losses. Still, it was nice to snap the losing streak and get that first region victory as well with a 28-9 road triumph over Wilson on October 4.

           “It was a really good win for our kids last night,” said Nelson, whose team improved to 3-4 on the season and 1-2 in region play. “The kids’ psyche has been good all season with the ups and downs of this season. These kids have a lot of heart and fight in them.”

           The region losses were 42-7 to defending AAAA state runner-up South Florence and 26-21 to Lower Richland. In the South Florence game, the Knights only trailed 14-7 at halftime.’

           Against Wilson, Crestwood led 21-0 at halftime. The Tigers, who fell to 1-6, managed to cut the lead to 21-9 in the third quarter before the Knights got an insurance touchdown in the fourth quarter.

           Senior quarterback Jaydis Williams had a nice game for Crestwood. Williams, who has shared time behind center with senior Travis Benefield and freshman Jayden Martin, completed 11 of 19 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 20 yards.

All-State wide receiver Jeremie Richardson had five catches for 59 yards and a score. Martin had three catches for 44 yards and a touchdown at wide receiver, while Jaheim Jones had two catches for 25 yards, and Mekhi Calhoun added two catches for 20 yards.

           Running back LaDamien Belton finished with 30 yards and a touchdown, while Calvin Wofford had 40 yards on the ground. Jordan Mickens scored the other touchdown.

           The Knights also had a strong game defensively. Sophomore linebacker Ahmandre Ricks had eight total tackles, three tackles for loss and forced a fumble. Defensive back Da’Shawn Scriven had an interception.