AIKEN --- Codarius and Cordrea Tankersley played a game of "can you top this?" Friday night against South Aiken.
The brothers alternated making spectacular plays as the visiting Bulldogs dismantled the Thoroughbreds 26-0 at the Stomping Grounds.
There's not much difference between the two. Codarius is a senior who is most effective in the secondary; Cordrea is a junior who runs the Bulldogs' offense from his quarterback spot.
The roster shows a difference of one inch and 10 pounds -- Cordrea is slightly bigger -- but there's no mistaking their football ability.
Cordrea rushed for 205 yards and scored three touchdowns. Not to be outdone, Codarius intercepted two passes and returned a fumble 67 yards for Silver Bluff's other touchdown.
"They had big nights," Silver Bluff coach Al Lown said. "I'm glad they're on our side."
Codarius snagged Tanner Hawley's pass and returned it 27 yards to set up the first score of the night. That came two plays later when Cordrea kept the ball and rushed up the middle for a 31-yard score.
Cordrea's second touchdown came from 1 yard out and gave the Bulldogs (2-1) a 14-0 lead at the half.
Both teams moved the ball in the third quarter but couldn't find the end zone. Then, in the span of 48 seconds, the Tankersley brothers scored a pair of touchdowns to put the game away in the fourth quarter.
With South Aiken focusing on Andre Washington's inside running game, Cordrea kept the ball again. He bounced to the sideline and then outraced the South Aiken defense for a 77-yard score.
"I made a sharp cut, my wideouts made excellent blocks, and I just had to cut it on from there," Cordrea said of the run.
After a big kickoff return and pass play moved South Aiken to the Bulldogs' 30, Codarius picked up a fumble and dashed 67 yards for the game's final touchdown.
"Scoop and score," Codarius said with a smile.
South Aiken (0-3) could not take advantage of several big plays and turned the ball over five times.
"Turnovers, for the second week in a row, got us," South Aiken coach Jeremy West said. "Our defense for the most part played a pretty good game. (Cordrea) Tankersley made us pay for a couple of them."
PLAY OF THE GAME: Silver Bluff's Cordrea Tankersley kept his balance on the sideline and raced 77 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
STARS OF THE GAME: Codarius and Cordrea Tankersley . The Silver Bluff brothers scored all four touchdowns and made key plays on defense.
WHY SILVER BLUFF WON: The smaller Bulldogs had a more effective ground game and wore down the Thoroughbreds.
WHY SOUTH AIKEN LOST: The Thoroughbreds turned the ball over three times in the first half and couldn't capitalize on good field position.
NEXT: Silver Bluff at Midland Valley, Friday, 7:30 p.m.; South Aiken at Strom Thurmond, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Silver Bluff 0 14 0 12 - 26
South Aiken 0 0 0 0 - 0
Second Quarter
SB-Cordrea Tankersley 31 run (Pedro Zambrano kick), 11:48
SB-Cordrea Tankersley 1 run (Zambrano kick), 2:02
Fourth Quarter
SB-Cordrea Tankersley 77 run (kick failed), 9:48
SB-Codarius Tankersley 67 fumble return (kick failed), 9:00
| SB | SA | |
| First Downs | 17 | 12 |
| Rushes-Yards | 41-324 | 28-83 |
| Passing Yards | 61 | 176 |
| Comp.-Att.-Int. | 5-8-1 | 10-24-3 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 3-1 | 4-2 |
| Punts-Yards | 2-30.5 | 1-33 |
| Penalties-Yards | 6-65 | 8-50 |
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING-Silver Bluff: Codarius Tankersley 3-26, Omari El 1-0, Cordrea Tankersley 15-205, Andre Washington 20-78, Tyler Fishalow 2-14. South Aiken: Deandre Schoultz 12-12, Tanner Hawley 3-11, Mickey Carter 3-6, Kendell Williams 3-15, Daniel Pilon 5-39.
PASSING-Silver Bluff: Cordrea Tankersley 5-8-1 for 61 yards. South Aiken: Tanner Hawley 9-23-2 for 176 yards.
RECEIVING-Silver Bluff: Tykeem Dixon 1-(-1), Andre Washington 1-0, Codarius Tankersley 2-38, Jalen Simpkins 1-24. South Aiken: Rod Valandingham 3-61, Brandon Moseley 3-36, Johnny Josephson 1-9, De Andre Jones 3-70.
The interceprions and picks are due to having a QUARTERBACK that should be a waterboy. He cant hit the side of a barn. There are better quarterbacks that are sidelined because "its all in who you know". My child does not play football but I attend every game. Coach West needs to stop being stupid and see what hes got. Sit Tanner (quarterback) and let someone else have a chance. Seems hes not doing anything.
Whoever posted the first comment about South Aiken's QB needs to go back to elementary school and learn how to spell and use punctuation.
No need to go back to school and correct spelling and punctuation. A point is made and the truth is spoken. And for your info WHOEVER is to be WHOMEVER. Maybe you need to be schooled on how to play football and doing what it takes to win. South Aikens coach does not. Just like the win that he blew at Midland Valley. Saying "He's a gambler". Thats stupid. You do not gamble with a sure win. I am a woman and I guarantee I know more about football that you. So dont tell me that spelling matters when it comes to football. Seems to me that whomever you are. Advise you to worry about the state of South Aiken football program than trying to correct someone because you dont have anything to say..
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