PETTICOAT JUNCTION --- A few heads were starting to hang as the clock wound down Friday night at The Bluff, but there was long-time coach Al Lown, out on the field, clapping his hands and yelling encouragement to his worn-out players.

The Bulldogs, always bigger in heart than they are in shoulder pads, didn't quite have the willpower to overcome the Central Eagles' manpower on this night.

Central, of Pageland, used its size and toughness to overpower and outlast Silver Bluff on Friday night, pulling away for a 26-7 victory in the second round of the South Carolina High School League Class AA playoffs.

It marked the second consecutive season Central has ousted Silver Bluff in the second round. The Eagles won 14-6 last year.

"It's tough," said Silver Bluff senior Joseph Carter, who, unlike his teammates, has a couple of all-star games to look forward to. "We stand up, and we're tough. We stick up for each other, and I think that's what brought us this far."

Despite being dominated on the ground, Silver Bluff (8-4) managed to scrap its way to within 14-7 in the fourth quarter. But the Eagles, who rushed 49 times for 302 yards, put the game away with a couple of late touchdowns.

Central (8-3), which held Silver Bluff to minus-21 yards rushing on 26 carries, advances to the quarterfinals to face either Manning or Marion.

"We were a lot bigger and stronger, and I thought we could run right at them and pound them," Central coach Joey Mangum said. "I thought we wore them down at the end. But those guys play as hard as anybody we've ever played against."

Central's Travis Rivers led the way with 113 yards rushing, while Tyler Price added 60 and the Eagles' first two touchdowns, which put them up 14-0 after three quarters.

But Silver Bluff senior quarterback Freddie Blanchard went 4-for-7 passing on the next drive, marching the Bulldogs 63 yards on 11 plays. His 15-yard fade route fell into Eric Stokes' hands with 11:10 left to make it 14-7.

Central answered right back, putting the game away with a seven-play, 79-yard drive capped by Rivers' 17-yard touchdown run.

After Silver Bluff went three-and-out, Central's reserves capped the game on Keeio Tyson's 26-yard run.

"Guys, you had a heck of a season. We were outmanned in almost every game, but you guys played hard," Lown told his team afterward. "Hold your heads high."

For Silver Bluff, Blanchard finished 12-for-21 through the air for 105 yards, most of which came to Stokes and Carter.

Silver Bluff, which defeated Andrews, 41-20, in Round 1 last week, has not advanced past the second round of the playoffs since its back-to-back state championship teams in 2000 and 2001.

"I'm so proud of what we did this year," Lown said. "For us to win eight games and the region with as many people as we lost, that's all you can ask for. We've won 18 games in the last two years, and that's a lot, so our kids can take a lot of pride in that."

Central's big defensive front seven held Silver Bluff to just six rushing yards and 35 total in the first half.

Silver Bluff didn't help itself, however, committing six first-half penalties that helped give the Eagles good field position on several occasions.

On Central's first good-looking drive, quarterback Steven Smith was intercepted by Silver Bluff's Frederick Garnett inside the 20-yard line, preserving the scoreless tie.

However, after penalties kept the Bulldogs pinned back on their next possession, Central marched 43 yards in seven plays, capped by Price's 14-yard touchdown run on a sweep right with 2:36 left in the half. The missed PAT led to the 6-0 Central lead at halftime.

Reach Steve Sanders at (706) 823-3216 or steven.l.sanders@augustachronicle.com.

CUTLINES:

CHRIS THELEN/STAFF Central's Tyler Price (left) gets by Silver Bluff's Jamal Beal for a touchdown during the first half of their playoff game Friday night. [CAPTION]

Silver Bluff's Kendrick Garrnett is brought down for a loss by Kegan Funderburk. The Bulldogs couldn't muster much offense. [CAPTION]

CHRIS THELEN/STAFF