Whale Branch notched its first Region 5-AA win on Friday night, defeating host Academic Magnet 28-20 in a highly-anticipated matchup. With the win, Whale Branch improved to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in Region 5-AA. Academic Magnet dropped to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in the region with the loss.

One of the area’s top defensive high school football teams, Academic Magnet had been averaging outscoring opponents 39-6. Whale Branch, however, prevented Academic Magnet from doing so in the late-regular-season prep contest between the longtime rivals. Multiple Whale Branch players contributed to the region victory. Leading Whale Branch to the win, DJ Davis rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Davis ranks as one of the area’s leading rushers. Another versatile Whale Branch back, Jamar Scott, rushed for one touchdown and passed for another in the Warriors’ win.

The Warriors got going after slipping into the loss column in a previous outing. Whale Branch returned to the win column after suffering a five-point loss to Bishop England one week earlier.

The Warriors boast additional wins over Windsor Forest (Ga.) and St. John’s. Whale Branch has dropped other games to Hilton Head, Beaufort and Bluffton.