AIKEN - Special teams play has been a thorn in South Aiken's side all year long.
Friday night, it cost the Thoroughbreds a possible victory.
A bad snap on a punt led to a go-ahead safety, and Westside-Anderson held on for a 22-14 victory over South Aiken at the Stomping Grounds.
The Thoroughbreds (3-3) held a 14-13 lead over the Rams (5-0) midway through the fourth quarter when South Aiken quarterback Bucky Washington was sacked at his own 5-yard line. That set up a punting situation and the requisite long snap, something the Thoroughbreds have struggled with this season.
The snap was low and punter Jason Large went down on his knee to recover the ball, resulting in the safety that put Westside-Anderson ahead 15-14. Large was substituting for South Aiken's regular punter Andrew Hare, who underwent surgery on his meniscus last week.
"It's been ugly. We've been from one to another to another," South Aiken coach Robert Wrightenberry said of the team's search for a long snapper. "When you float the ball back it's tough for the punter."
High snaps and snaps that have rolled along the ground were something the Rams picked up on in watching game film, Westside-Anderson coach Ted Luckadoo said.
"It's obviously something they've been working on," he said. "The big thing was field position. We felt like we had to put a little pressure on him. We got a bad snap, and his knee went down."
Westside-Anderson got the ball back after the safety and wasted little time in extending its lead.
Lee Butler took a screen pass from Brandon McCann, juked a South Aiken defender and sped into the end zone from 48 yards out.
South Aiken struck first with Washington's 2-yard keeper in the first quarter. Westside-Anderson responded with two touchdowns, the latter on a Statue of Liberty play, to take a 13-7 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter, after a Jamal Davis interception and return, Washington threw a fade pass to the corner and Quentin Sims ran underneath it for South Aiken's go-ahead touchdown.
The Rams, ranked No. 9 in South Carolina's Class AAAA, featured a high-power running game that had trouble getting started.
"We were just a little flat on offense. Of course, that had a lot to do with their defense," Luckadoo said. "They've got a good football team."
South Aiken is off this week before beginning region play with a road contest at Irmo. The loss was the third for the Thoroughbreds against top-10 opponents.
"It's frustrating to see our kids play hard against a good team and lose like this," he said. "But we'll come back."
Reach John Boyette at (706) 823-3337 or john.boyette@augustachronicle.com.
WESTSIDE-ANDERSON 22, SOUTH AIKEN 14
Westside-Anderson 6 7 0 9 - 22
South Aiken 7 0 7 0 - 14
First quarter
SA-Bucky Washington 2 run (Josh Newton kick), 6:16
W-Demetrius Swinger 7 pass from Brandon McCann (kick blocked), 1:34
Second quarter
W-Montez Hatten 6 run (Heath Major kick), :26
Third quarter
SA-Quentin Sims 22 pass from Washington (Newton kick), 7:41
Fourth quarter
W-Safety, South Aiken punter downed knee in end zone, 6:36
W-Lee Butler 48 pass from Brandon McCann (Major kick), 4:59
W SA
First Downs 17 11
Rushes-Yards 37-191 33-62
Passing Yards 154 105
Comp.-Att.-Int. 11-23-2 6-13-1
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-0
Punts-Yards 2-37 5-25.2
Penalties-Yards 11-68 4-25
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING-Westside-Anderson: Montez Hatten 27-125, Pierre Toliver 7-43, Brandon McCann 2-(-8), Lee Butler 1-31. South Aiken: Kelton Hayes 2-2, Denzell Washington 7-10, Bucky Washington 16-20, Jeremy Alston 6-24, Tanner Hawley 2-(-7).
PASSING-Westside-Anderson: Brandon McCann 11-23-2 for 154 yards. South Aiken: Bucky Washington 6-8-0 for 105 yards, Tanner Hawley 0-5-1.
RECEIVING-Westside-Anderson: Lee Butler 5-88, Demetrius Swinger 3-30, Xavier Brown 1-7, Montez Hatten 1-13, Pierre Toliver 1-16. South Aiken: Quentin Sims 4-83, Jamal Davis 1-12, Leander Jones 1-10.
PLAY OF THE GAME: Westside-Anderson quarterback Brandon McCann did a great job of selling a Statue of Liberty play late in the first half. He slipped the ball to tailback Montez Hatten, who scooted into the end zone from six yards out.
WHY WESTSIDE-ANDERSON WON: The Rams are well-known for their punishing ground game, but McCann threw a pair of touchdown passes despite constant pressure. The latter touchdown pass broke open a close game.
WHY SOUTH AIKEN LOST: Mistakes on special teams continue to haunt the Thoroughbreds. Until they can find a reliable long snapper, teams will continue to pressure the Thoroughbreds on kicking situations.
STAR OF THE GAME: Hatten, already Westside-Anderson's career rushing leader, gained 125 yards on 27 carries and scored one touchdown. Next: South Aiken is off; Westside- Anderson is off. Both teams begin region play Oct. 5.
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