Powell runs Westside past Fountain Inn

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FOUNTAIN INN |</strong> Over the years, teams coached by Brian Lane have often featured big-armed quarterbacks directing high-flying offenses. For Westside this season, the big-armed QB is freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1881741' first='Bear' last='Woods']</strong>. The Rams handled business a little differently Friday night at Fountain Inn though. Behind the workmanlike performance of senior running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822335' first='Keylan' last='Powell']</strong>, Westside's offense was downright methodical at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The workload Powell took on in the first half allowed Woods to show off that big arm in the second half. Westside's defense also contained what's been an explosive Fountain Inn offense. All of that added up for a 48-21 win for the Rams in a key Region I-4A matchup. Powell rushed for 166 yards and five touchdowns on 34 carries to lead Westside to its fourth consecutive win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I just trusted my O-line tonight. We had a great week of practice and we've had practices like that for the past two or three weeks," Powell said. "Execution has been the key for this team. Catching balls, making tackles. It's as simple as that."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After forcing a three-and-out by Fountain Inn to start the game, Westside went to work. On the Rams' second snap Woods hit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819818' first='Jarvaris' last='Clinkscales']</strong> for a gain of 29 yards. Three crucial penalties against the Fury, including twice on third-and-short plays, helped Westside reach the red zone. From there, Powell opened the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams converted each of their first four third downs before dropping what would've been a 23-yard touchdown on a third-and-15 play. Westside went for it on fourth down and drew a pass interference penalty. While that's not an automatic first down, the Rams went for it again on fourth-and-four, and Powell scored from 12 yards out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fountain Inn had a much-needed answer with a 13-play drive that featured a 17-yard pass from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='429920' first='Sam' last='Holliday']</strong> to <strong>Ben Ruwe</strong> on a fourth-and-nine play. After Holliday's pass to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1339520' first='BJ' last='Curenton']</strong> converted a third-and-14 play, Holliday and Curenton connected on a four-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7 midway through the second quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westside answered with an 11-play possession. Powell carried the ball on nine of those plays, including each of the last six. The last one came on a third-and-three and resulted in a four-yard touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"At the end of the day, you've just got to take what they give you. You don't try to force it," Lane said. "I'm just proud of the guys. We started out (0-4) playing really tough teams. Coach Willie Varner told me a long time ago that you always play tough teams at the beginning to get you ready for the region in the end."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fountain Inn sophomore captain <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821576' first='Ayden' last='Burton']</strong> had a great kick return to midfield. That help set up an eight-yard touchdown pass from Holliday to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824285' first='Aaden' last='McDowell']</strong> as the Fury sliced the lead to 21-14 with 1:08 left in the first half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fountain Inn avoided disaster two plays later as Westside freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817438' first='Jae' last='White']</strong> got behind defenders, but couldn't reach what would've been a 72-yard touchdown as the ball was slightly overthrown. The Fury defense got its first stop on the next play when <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824279' first='Tison' last='Garrett']</strong> sacked Woods for an eight-yard loss to remain down seven at the half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After rushing for 111 yards on 21 carries in the first half, Powell first carry of the second half went for a 17-yard gain into Fury territory. Four consecutive penalties against Fountain Inn, including two unsportsmanlike conduct flags that resulted in an ejection, advanced the ball to the three. Two plays later, Powell found the end zone for the fourth time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rough quarter for the Fury continued three plays later when Westside's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208787' first='Jacob' last='Lewis']</strong> returned an interception to the Fury 47. The Rams took a deep shot on the next play and Woods hit a wide open White for a 47-yard touchdown to push the lead to 34-14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powell would've had even bigger numbers had an 88-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter not been wiped out by a holding penalty. The long run finally gave Powell a play off and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822350' first='Quin' last='McCoppin']</strong> came off the bench and had a 21-yard run on the next play. A 37-yard pass from Woods to Lewis helped set the stage for Powell's fifth touchdown to make it 41-14 with 10:27 remaining.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"In the second half, we just had to get our energy back," Clinkscales said. "Coach Lane was telling us at halftime to become sharks and that's what we've kind of been living by this season."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816721' first='Mekhai' last='Washington']</strong> had an interception for the Rams two plays later that really helped remove any lingering doubt. One last Westside firework came courtesy of the defense again when senior linebacker <strong>Dom Cole</strong> stripped the ball away and went 39 yards untouched for a touchdown on the Fury's next possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woods completed 12-of-23 passes for 173 yards with no interceptions. He's thrown just one interception all season for Westside (4-4, 3-0), which remains tied for the region lead with Wren. The Rams and Hurricanes meet in the regular season finale on Oct. 31.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holliday, Fountain Inn's terrific dual threat quarterback, was held in check by Westside's defense. He completed 18-of-27 passes but for only 109 yards. He rushed for 21 yards and the final touchdown on just four carries. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603971' first='Bojack' last='Johnson']</strong> carried 19 times for 52 yards also for the Fury (4-4, 1-2).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->