Ground Game, Late Kick Lifts Pendleton Past Broome
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<p>SPARTANBURG - Pendleton's passing game set the tone. Their running game made the difference.</p>
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<p>The Bulldogs turned in some big plays through the air, but a grinding ground attack kept the chains moving and provided the final punches in a thrilling 24-21 first round win at Broome in the 3A playoffs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820872' first='Bray' last='Spear']</strong> rushed for 30 first-half yards and a key score, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823502' first='Dashaun' last='Jenkins']</strong> finished with 18 carries for 83 yards and a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter.</p>
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<p>"I feel like we're a passing team first, but we're also going to run the ball," Jenkins said. "We've got two good running backs, we did our thing all season, and in the playoffs it's time to show out."</p>
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<p>That passing game was on full display, particularly in the second half. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820879' first='Jackson' last='Allmon']</strong> was wildly efficient, finishing 17-for-22 for 250 yards and a four-yard touchdown to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820881' first='Melo' last='Mattress']</strong>. His biggest play of the night, though, came on the closing drive. Faking to his right, Allmon threw back to his left too find <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820871' first='Tye' last='Miller'] </strong>wide open on the visitors' sideline, and Miller raced 59 yards to put the Bulldogs in position for Pendleton's game-winning field goal from <strong>Brody Sprayberry</strong>.</p>
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<p>Broome's offense put together a solid night without starting QB <strong>Jamison Dearybury</strong>. The Centurions piled up 303 yards on the ground as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1453176' first='Brayden' last='Simpson']</strong> ran for 114 yards and two scores and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592026' first='Tyqwon' last='Booker']</strong> added 30 carries for 176 yards. Simpson also threw for 129 yards, including a 13-yard TD pass to <strong>Aayden Hemphill</strong>. But the Centurions had a pair of costly miscues late in the fourth quarter - a fumble inside the Bulldogs' 20 and a missed field goal with about a minute to play - that erased scoring chances.</p>
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<p>Despite the big offensive numbers, both defenses settled in well in the middle of the game. Pendleton forced three turnovers, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820875' first='Dax' last='Allen']</strong> picked off a pass and recovered a fumble, and <strong>Zy Collymore</strong> added a fumble recovery of his own. </p>
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<p>Broome, meanwhile, got a big night defensively from a bunch of guys. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821990' first='Levi' last='Bishop']</strong> lived in the Bulldogs' backfield, with two tackles for loss and a sack. Hemphill had two interceptions to go with his offensive touchdowns, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821989' first='Jaylan' last='Ramirez']</strong> recovered a fumble in the second half for the Centurions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818385' first='Ricky' last='McCollough']</strong> had a huge third quarter, with back-to-back sacks to end a Pendleton drive.</p>
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<p>The Bulldogs made a couple more plays down the stretch, though, including a key third down stop to force the field goal attempt. Now, they'll move on to the second round.</p>
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<p>"It feels great to extend the season and give us one more game," Jenkins said.</p>
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<p><strong>UP NEXT FOR PENDLETON:</strong> The Bulldogs will travel to take on No. 1 seed Powdersville, a 66-0 winner over Carolina in the first round.</p>
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SPARTANBURG - Pendleton's passing game set the tone. Their running game made the difference.
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