After squeaking out a win in a season-opening meeting, Whale Branch left no doubt in the rematch with crosstown rival Battery Creek on Friday.
De’Arius Hazel rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns before leaving with a broken leg, and Jaylen Reeves threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score to lead the Warriors to a 38-0 home victory in the regular-season finale.
Hazel had touchdown runs of 8 and 12 yards in the first half before his season-ending injury, Reeves hit Jaden Jenkins for a 20-yard touchdown pass, and Henry Tome added field goals of 34 and 35 yards to give Whale Branch a 25-0 halftime lead.
JacQuez Frazier added a 45-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and Reeves tacked on a 1-yard TD run in the fourth.
Joseph Hicks rushed for 101 yards on 12 carries, and Frazier made 12 tackles to lead a dominant defensive effort for the Warriors, who allowed only six first downs.
Whale Branch (6-3) travels to Philip Simmons to open the Class 2A playoffs Friday, while Battery Creek (3-5) travels to Strom Thurmond for the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Left: Whale Branch De’arius “Iron Man” Hazel (35) runs for his first touchdown of the night against Battery Creek during the final game of the season Friday at Whale Branch. De’arius was taken out of the game during the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a leg injury. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
