North Augusta captured its first Region 4-AAAA win in two years Friday with a 26-14 victory at home against White Knoll.
White Knoll (5-3, 0-2) never recovered from an abysmal first half.
Only three Timberwolves touched the football in the game's first 24 minutes, and the Yellow Jackets defense held the trio to just 34 total offensive yards.
North Augusta coach Dan Pippin said he expected more from White Knoll, but credited his defense with stellar play, which included a 29-yard interception return by L.J. Perry in the second quarter.
Perry's touchdown followed one by Jackets tailback Tidy Johnson, who capped a seven-play, 65-yard drive with a 2-yard run.
Johnson rushed for 137 yards in the first half on 14 carries, after missing most of last week's matchup against Lexington.
Johnson's backup, Darell Curry, found the end zone in the third quarter on a 6-yard run.
White Knoll didn't find the end zone until the fourth quarter, when running back Alex Clark broke three tackles on his way to a 29-yard run.
North Augusta answered on the ensuing kickoff with an 89-yard touchdown return by Marcus Thurmond.
"I was thinking, 'What are you thinking kicking the ball to Thurmond?'" Pippin said.
A 27-yard pass from Timberwolves quarterback Kyle Lawson, who threw for 167 yards, to Daniel Taylor accounted for White Knoll's final touchdown.
Emotionally, Pippin said, the win was huge for North Augusta (4-4, 1-1), which was recovering from a tough, 27-26 loss to Lexington.
Reach Donnie Fetter (706) 823-3424 or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.
North Augusta 26, White Knoll 14
Play of the game: Wide receiver Marcus Thurmond returned a kickoff 89 yards for the Jackets' final touchdown.
Why North Augusta won: A strong defensive showing in the first half kept White Knoll on the ropes.
Why White Knoll lost: The Timberwolves couldn't recover from a horrific first half.
Star of the game: Jackets tailback Tidy Johnson rushed for 175 yards, 137 in the first half, and a touchdown.
What's next: North Augusta travels to South Aiken next week; White Knoll travels to Irmo.
North Augusta 0 14 6 6 - 26
White Knoll 0 0 0 14 - 14
Second Quarter
NA - Tidy Johnson 2 run (kick failed), 7:41
NA - L.J. Perry 29 interception (Marcus Thurmond run), 6:07
Third Quarter
NA - Darell Curry 6 run (kick failed), 7:44
Fourth Quarter
WK - Alex Clark 29 run (Cesar Daniello kick), 11:26
NA - Thurmond kickoff return (conversion failed), 11:14
WK - Daniel Taylor 27 pass from Kyle Lawson (Daniello kick), 6:53
NA WK
First Downs 10 14
Rushes-Yards 38-179 25-85
Passing Yards 57 167
Comp.-Att.-Int. 5-12-1 18-42-1
Fumbles-lost 4-1 1-0
Punts-Yards 6-185 6-178
Penalties-Yards 10-63 5-25
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING-North Augusta: Tidy Johnson 27-175, Dave Dixon 4-12, Marcus Thurmond 1-9, Darell Curry 3-4, Travis Murphy 3- -8. White Knoll: Alex Clark 21-80, Kyle Lawson 3-5, Daniel Taylor 1-0.
PASSING-North Augusta: Travis Murphy 5-12-1 57. White Knoll: Kyle Lawson 18-42-1 167
RECEIVING-North Augusta: Marcus Thurmond 3-45, Dave Dixon 1-9, Daitrele Dixon 1-3. White Knoll: Daniel Taylor 6-56, Josh Holman 5-54, Brandine Clark 3-47, Alex Clark 3-10.
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