Rams roll over Raiders, 41-9

Damaija Crooks (1) scored the Raiders’ lone touchdown Friday night in a 41-9 loss at Westside. (file photo)

Defending Region 1-4A champion Westside cruised to a 41-9 victory over visiting Laurens Friday night.

With the win, the Rams set up a showdown for this season’s region championship next week at Wren.

Once again, the Raiders were unable to score enough to keep up with Westside’s potent offense. LDHS (1-8 overall, 1-3 region) has been held to 10 or fewer points in six of its nine contests this season.

Westside rolled up 553 yards of total offense against the Raiders.

The Rams (5-4, 4-0) jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first half, but the Raiders were able to cut into the lead with a 24-yard field goal just before halftime to make the score 20-3.

After forcing a Westside punt on the opening series of the second half, LDHS cut into the Rams’ lead with a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Logan Bragg to Damaija Crooks with 8:13 remaining in the third quarter. Crooks caught five passes for 120 yards and the touchdown, while Bragg completed 15 of 24 passes for 165 yards and the score.

Rams running back Keylan Powell became the second straight opposing back to rush for more than 200 yards against the Raiders, following Wren’s Muntu Brown a week ago with 214 yards and four touchdowns. Westside quarterback Bear Woods also threw for two scores.

LDHS will host Emerald in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Raiders will celebrate Senior Night at K.C. Hanna Stadium with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Fountain Inn rallied to defeat the Vikings 35-31 Friday night.