Raiders hand Porter first LDHS victory, down Tigers 45-0
Laurens DB Javaye Suber (1) returns a third-quarter punt for a touchdown during the Raiders’ 45-0 win over visiting Southside Friday night.
Laurens picked up the first win of the Greg Porter era Friday night as the Raiders blanked Southside 45-0 at K.C. Hanna Stadium following a two-week layoff due to Hurricane Helene.
Porter, who was hired this past offseason to turn around LDHS’s football fortunes, was off to a rocky start during a winless and injury-riddled nonconference schedule.
If the Raiders were frustrated, they took it out on overmatched Southside.
“I’m proud of the team and the players, and it’s good to see them come out on this end for once,” Porter said.
The Raiders (1-5 overall, 1-0 Region 1-4A) scored more points by halftime (32) than they had in their five previous games (31) this season, opening the game with a 25-point blitz in the first quarter.
Quarterback Will Thompson capped the game’s opening five-play, 60-yard drive with the first of three touchdown runs, and Ze’Mar Jones recovered a fumble on the next play from scrimmage 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 to put the Raiders ahead 45-0. From that point, 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 a first-half interception and finished the game with 228 total yards. He led the team in rushing with 67 yards, gaining that yardage when the Raiders used him behind center in their “wildcat” offensive package in the third quarter.
Porter said the break from school and football as the area recovered from Hurricane Helene may have helped. In addition to 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 may have been the best thing for us (as far as football),” Porter said of the break. “Everybody came back focused and ready to work.”
LDHS did not punt in the first half at all. Punter-kicker Brock Franklin punted only once the entire game.
The Tigers (0-6, 0-1) were held to 126 yards in total offense, while the Raiders finished with a season-high 360 yards, including 231 on the ground.
LDHS Athletic Director Tommy Spires awarded Porter the game ball in recognition of the coach’s first victory with the Raiders.
The Raiders will travel to Wren (4-1, 1-0) next Friday night. Wren defeated Fountain Inn 49-12
Laurens 45, Southside 0
