What We Saw: Barnwell 21, Timberland 0

BARNWELL | The running and passing ability of [player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin'] (pictured) has propelled Barnwell throughout his time as a starter.   Friday night at Mac Weir Field, the dual threat quarterback continued to take his game to another level. Playing in frigid, windy conditions, Austin led the Warhorses to a 21-0 shutout of Timberland in the second round  of the Class 2A Lower State playoffs.   In accounting for Barnwell's two touchdowns, he disrupted the Wolves' physical, athletic defense with pinpoint, accurate throws. His 19-yard touchdown pass to senior Jordan Sturkie capped a scoring drive in which Austin lasered passes between defenders.   Austin finished 14-23 for 219 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 71 yards and a score.   “He's on fire with some of the balls he threw,” Barnwell head coach Brian Smith said. “He was 18-20 last week and the two that were incomplete were crazy and really close. He threw that one slant that got in that hole one time. It was unbelievable. He can throw the ball, makes great decisions. We're going to be as good as he play offensively. We kind of know that.”   It also helped to have sure-handed receivers like Sturkie, William Robinson and Jaquan Peeples.   “As a receiver group, we've been through a lot of conditions,” Sturkie said. “We've played together since we were little. Cold is not going to affect us.”   Austin's second touchdown came on a 9-yard run. He then scored on a two-point conversion run in which he started out as the holder for placekicker Lane Evans.   Evans accounted for the rest of the scoring on two field goals of 25 and 45 yards and an extra point.   Helping to make Austin's performance possible was his offensive line. Senior Tony Cherry, Klayton Zissett and Lamar Buxton.had a tall task facing a fearsome Timberland front with three starters who averaged around 6-5 and well over 300 lbs.   Touchstone Energy Cooperative selection Kaseam Liferidge was the “ironman” of the trio. The 6-foot 5, 245-pound senior played most of the game at offensive and defensive tackle.   Junior [player_tooltip player_id='473011' first='Desmond' last='Green'] and Joshua Goodwin lined up alongside Liferidge to provide an imposing wall on the left side of the field.   Barnwelll's approach and execution helped overcome the Wolves' giant wall. Sturkie was among the players who managed to sack Goodman and the offensive line provided enough containment to give the offense time to make plays.   “They're a huge football team,” Smith said. “We told our guys all week long the teams that's making us successful offensively and defensively are technique, staying low on the line of scrimmage. From a scheme standpoint, we've got to make sure that we're in a good position offensively and defensively, I thought we did that all night.”   “We knew this week was going to be a good, physical football game,” Sturkie said. “One of the most physical games that we're going to play all year. We took on the pulling guards and keeping our peripheral vision on the line and play the game.”   When Goodman had passing opportunities downfield, Barnwell defensive back Jayden Pinkney erased them. He made two pass breakups on potential touchdown receptions by Wolves' wide receiver Demarri Middleton.   “We get on him a lot,” said Smith about Pinkney. “Jayden Pinkney is one of our better defensive backs and a lot of people don't throw at him. These cats went at him, but they had some athletes that could go after him, too, so it's not like it's a bad decision. He made a couple of great plays.”   Barnwell (11-1) will remain at home to face Cheraw.   “I'm very comfortable,” Austin said. “My guys protect me well Our receivers catch it well. Starting to get things rolling. I'm excited.”

BARNWELL | The running and passing ability of Cameron Austin Cameron Austin 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Barnwell | 2025 State SC (pictured) has propelled Barnwell throughout his time as a starter.