Justin Smith

Justin Duncan

Derrick Clay

LORIS, S.C. – Senior back Justin Smith ran for two touchdowns, and junior quarterback Justin Duncan threw a pair of touchdown passes to senior Derrick Clay Friday night in helping lead the South Columbus Stallions to a 43-0 thumping of longtime border football rival Loris.

The SCHS defense did not allow a first down while holding the Lions to minus-30 yards of total offense.

It was the second shutout in as many games for Coach Joey Price’s Stallions, who had opened the season with a 42-0 victory over St. Pauls on Aug. 17.

It marked the sixth straight win for SCHS over its longtime border rival. The Stallions also held the Lions scoreless for the second straight year and for the third time in four seasons.

The win set up a big battle this Friday night between the Stallions and the East Bladen Eagles at South Columbus. East Bladen, which last season advanced to the Eastern N.C. 1AA finals, has a 2-0 record after dumping East Carteret 33-7 Friday night at Beaufort.

South Columbus did all its scoring in the first three quarters, including 19 in the opening quarter and 17 in the third.

Smith, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in last season’s 14-0 win over the Lions, scored on first half runs of 23 and 40 yards. He finished the night with 84 yards on only six carries.

Duncan, who completed five passes for 148 yards, connected with Clay on third-quarter scoring passes of 32 and 52 yards. Dominic Betts had a 20-yard touchdown run, and fullback Buster James added a 13-yard scoring run. Donovan Watts booted a 31-yard field goal and four extra points.

“We did a good job of getting a good lead in the first quarter and our defense really played hard,” Coach Price said. “Everybody gave a good effort.

“Things have gone pretty well so far, but we’ll really have to be ready for next week with East Bladen coming in,” said Price, whose squad fell to Eagles 42-7 last season.

South Columbus got its first touchdown of the night with less than five minutes gone in the game. Smith scored on a 23-yard run for a 6-0 lead with 7 minutes, 24 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Stallions scored again less than four minutes later on a 20-yard dash by Betts. James ran 13 yards for the third SCHS touchdowns with five seconds left in the quarter.

Smith got the lone score of the second quarter when he broke loose for his 40-yard run with 1:31 left in the half.

With just over two minutes gone in the third quarter, Duncan connected with Clay for 32 yards and a touchdown.

Midway through the third quarter, Watts split the uprights for his 31-yard field goal. The 52-yard TD pass from Duncan Clay came with more than three minutes left in the third quarter. Watts’ PAT kick put the score at 43-0.

Loris was limited to only 29 offensive plays by the SCHS defense.

SC – Justin Smith 23 run (kick failed).
SC - Dominic Betts 20 run (pass failed).
SC – Buster James 13 run (Donovan Watts kick).
SC – Smith 40 yards (Watts kick).
SC – Derrick Clay 32 pass from Justin Duncan (Watts kick).
SC – Watts 31 FG.
SC – D. Clay 52 pass from J. Duncan (Watts kick).