Daniels, Saluda Run Past Batesburg-Leesville

BATESBURG-LEESVILLE | Saluda running back [player_tooltip player_id='1823625' first='Tristan' last='Daniels'] knew the Tigers didn't have its best effort in the season opening loss to Abbeville. But he certainly wasn't surprised by the bounce-back performance in a 48-28 victory over Batesburg-Leesville Friday night.   The Tigers star running back went for 214 yards and four touchdowns in a rivalry win, snapping a three-game losing streak in the series. Daniels (pictured above) was very humble and praised his offensive line.   “I'm blessed to run behind that offensive line,” Daniels said. “They work hard in practice every day and keep working as hard as anyone. They had some big holes tonight and I just had to make the most of it.”   That line was led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='1825424' first='LJ' last='Sanders'] along with [player_tooltip player_id='1821012' first='Jordan' last='Padgett'] Quinn Herman Noah Porter and [player_tooltip player_id='1822023' first='Zayden' last='Couch'] paving the way. Sanders was just as complimentary of Daniels as he was of the offensive front.   “It's amazing to block for a back like Tristian,” Sanders said. “One play he might get stopped but the next play he takes it for a touchdown. It's fun to block for him. We were sort of locked in tonight.”   Saluda coach Greg Woerner was happy to talk about the performance of his guys up front. The Tigers finished with 283 yards rushing.   “It's a dirty job that nobody likes to talk about,” he said. “They struggled a little bit the last time out, so we really challenged them and got on them to do better. They responded and played a lot better and put it together against a good team.   The teams combined for 55 points in the first half including 20 pounds in a span of 39 seconds.   Batesburg-Leesville jumped out to the early lead thanks to a QB Terrance Cook sprinted 61 yards on the Panthers second offensive play. But the Tigers responded by scoring on the five possessions to take control.   It started with Daniels powering in from three yards out to put the Tigers ahead for good.   The second Daniels touchdown came after a bizarre play that gave Saluda the ball at the Panthers two-yard line. A pass was called a backwards pass that [player_tooltip player_id='1823631' first='Jahmeer' last='Myers'] recovered at the 2-yard line. The next play, Daniels added his second score in a little over two minutes.   It took the Tigers just three plays to score on their next possession. [player_tooltip player_id='1909406' first='Avery' last='Coyle'] found [player_tooltip player_id='1802495' first='Darryl' last='Hill'] behind the defense on a seam route for a 45-yard touchdown that stretched the lead to 20-6 early in the second quarter.   It took Batesburg-Leesville all of 22 seconds to respond. Cook hit Jayvier Hill-Nelson on nearly same type of play for a 55-yard touchdown.   But [player_tooltip player_id='1824968' first='Ceddion' last='Springs'] didn't waste any time in returning the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and a 27-14 lead.   “When they kicked it to me, I knew I was gone. I was taking it to the crib.” Springs said.   The next Tigers series ended with Daniels third TD of the half when he broke around the end for a 45-yard sprint. The Panthers got back within 34-21 at the half when Cook connected with [player_tooltip player_id='1820482' first='Robert' last='Matthews'] on a 23-yard TD. Cook fumbled the snap, picked it up and found Matthews open down the sideline.   The Panthers pulled with a score in the third quarter after Cook's third touchdown pass of the night went to [player_tooltip player_id='1824403' first='Graham' last='Pierce'] from 52 yards. Cook finished with 160 yards passing and 103 yards rushing.   Daniels added his final score from two yards late in the third quarter. Jayden Bledsoe ended the scoring with a five-yard run.   Batesburg-Leesville punter [player_tooltip player_id='1825442' first='Trey' last='Smith'] averaged 42 yards on five punts. Defensively, sophomore Dee Coleman played well. He also added 60 yards rushing on just nine carries.   Saluda's [player_tooltip player_id='1823628' first='Noah' last='Stoudemire'] played well on the defensive line. He rotated with Sanders and they both were able to get into the backfield for tackles for loss. Those two also disrupted the timing on a few plays.    Sanders is a towering figure that moves quicker than you think he might. He's agile, can get out in front of play as a lead blocker and once he gets his hands on a defender, it's almost impossible for them to break away and make a play.   He rotates in at noseguard, and he was able to register two tackles for loss while holding his own against a solid Panthers run game. Sanders plays with aggression and emotion but is controlled in his movements. Offensive line might be his best position, but a college coach could harness his talent and turn him into a pretty good defensive lineman as well.

BATESBURG-LEESVILLE | Saluda running back Tristan Daniels Tristan Daniels 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Saluda | 2027 State SC knew the Tigers didn't have its best effort in the season opening loss to Abbeville. But he certainly wasn't surprised by the bounce-back performance in a 48-28 victory over Batesburg-Leesville Friday night.

The Tigers star running back went for 214 yards and four touchdowns in a rivalry win, snapping a three-game losing streak in the series. Daniels (pictured above) was very humble and praised his offensive line.

“I'm blessed to run behind that offensive line,” Daniels said. “They work hard in practice every day and keep working as hard as anyone. They had some big holes tonight and I just had to make the most of it.”

That line was led by junior LJ Sanders LJ Sanders Saluda | 2028 SC along with Jordan Padgett Jordan Padgett Saluda | 2027 SC Quinn Herman Noah Porter and Zayden Couch Zayden Couch 6'2" Saluda | 2028 SC paving the way. Sanders was just as complimentary of Daniels as he was of the offensive front.

“It's amazing to block for a back like Tristian,” Sanders said. “One play he might get stopped but the next play he takes it for a touchdown. It's fun to block for him. We were sort of locked in tonight.”

Saluda coach Greg Woerner was happy to talk about the performance of his guys up front. The Tigers finished with 283 yards rushing.

“It's a dirty job that nobody likes to talk about,” he said. “They struggled a little bit the last time out, so we really challenged them and got on them to do better. They responded and played a lot better and put it together against a good team.

The teams combined for 55 points in the first half including 20 pounds in a span of 39 seconds.

Batesburg-Leesville jumped out to the early lead thanks to a QB Terrance Cook sprinted 61 yards on the Panthers second offensive play. But the Tigers responded by scoring on the five possessions to take control.

It started with Daniels powering in from three yards out to put the Tigers ahead for good.

The second Daniels touchdown came after a bizarre play that gave Saluda the ball at the Panthers two-yard line. A pass was called a backwards pass that Jahmeer Myers Jahmeer Myers 6'0" | 185 lbs | DL/TE Saluda | 2027 State SC recovered at the 2-yard line. The next play, Daniels added his second score in a little over two minutes.

It took the Tigers just three plays to score on their next possession. Avery Coyle Avery Coyle 5'11" | 160 lbs | QB/ATH Saluda | 2027 SC found Darryl Hill Darryl Hill 5'11" | 168 lbs | DB/WR Saluda | 2028 SC behind the defense on a seam route for a 45-yard touchdown that stretched the lead to 20-6 early in the second quarter.

It took Batesburg-Leesville all of 22 seconds to respond. Cook hit Jayvier Hill-Nelson on nearly same type of play for a 55-yard touchdown.

But Ceddion Springs Ceddion Springs Saluda | 2028 SC didn't waste any time in returning the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and a 27-14 lead.

“When they kicked it to me, I knew I was gone. I was taking it to the crib.” Springs said.

The next Tigers series ended with Daniels third TD of the half when he broke around the end for a 45-yard sprint. The Panthers got back within 34-21 at the half when Cook connected with Robert Matthews Robert Matthews 6'3" Batesburg-Leesville | 2027 SC on a 23-yard TD. Cook fumbled the snap, picked it up and found Matthews open down the sideline.

The Panthers pulled with a score in the third quarter after Cook's third touchdown pass of the night went to Graham Pierce Graham Pierce 5'7" Batesburg-Leesville | 2028 SC from 52 yards. Cook finished with 160 yards passing and 103 yards rushing.

Daniels added his final score from two yards late in the third quarter. Jayden Bledsoe ended the scoring with a five-yard run.

Batesburg-Leesville punter Trey Smith Trey Smith Spring Valley | 2027 SC averaged 42 yards on five punts. Defensively, sophomore Dee Coleman played well. He also added 60 yards rushing on just nine carries.

Saluda's Noah Stoudemire Noah Stoudemire Saluda | 2027 SC played well on the defensive line. He rotated with Sanders and they both were able to get into the backfield for tackles for loss. Those two also disrupted the timing on a few plays.