Dennis Knight/Savannah Morning NewsBenedictine dominated in all three phases as the Cadets beat New Hampstead 44-22 at Memorial Stadium to clinch a No. 3 seed into the Class 4A playoffs, which start on Nov. 15.
It was the final regular season game for BC, which improved to 5-4 on the season and 3-2 in region play. The Phoenix fell to 3-6 and 1-3.
"You did a great job today and I'm super proud of you," Britt told his squad after the game. "It's been a heck of a season — we started out with losses to two dogs (Rabun Gap and Buford), then we lost Stephen (starting quarterback Stephen Cannon) with an injury, but you guys never stopped fighting and showed resilience. I thought you played physical and fast with a lot of discipline tonight."
BC played an excellent all-around game. Sophomore Stanley Smart Jr. ran for 100 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. He kept moving the chains and killing clock — which was important going up against New Hampstead's strong passing game behind star quarterback Ra'Shawn Truell and his favorite target — Kamari Maxwell.
Sophomore quarterback Omari Burse had a strong showing for BC in his third start since Cannon went down with an injury in a loss to Ware County. Burse was 15 of 22 passing for 184 yards with a 24-yard scoring strike to Josh Washington, while also scoring on a quarterback sneak.
"Omari is a great player," said Washington, the junior who had 11 receptions for 143 yards on the night. "When Stephen got hurt, we knew Omari had the talent to come in and get the job done. And he's getting better with every practice and every game. Now we're back in the playoffs. There are a lot of people that might doubt us, but everyone in our locker room believes in ourselves. We're ready to make a playoff run."
"I've been hitting from that distance all season in practice, and I made really good contact with that one," Ferguson said. "As soon as I saw it was between the uprights — I knew it was good and started celebrating a little early. I just try to stay focused and keep my notes in my head about keeping my head down and all the other steps I take. It was a great snap by John (Lilly) and another great hold by Robert Leonard. We've been working on it all year."
BC played an excellent all-around game. Sophomore Stanley Smart Jr. ran for 100 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. He kept moving the chains and killing clock — which was important going up against New Hampstead's strong passing game behind star quarterback Ra'Shawn Truell and his favorite target — Kamari Maxwell.
Sophomore quarterback Omari Burse had a strong showing for BC in his third start since Cannon went down with an injury in a loss to Ware County. Burse was 15 of 22 passing for 184 yards with a 24-yard scoring strike to Josh Washington, while also scoring on a quarterback sneak.
"Omari is a great player," said Washington, the junior who had 11 receptions for 143 yards on the night. "When Stephen got hurt, we knew Omari had the talent to come in and get the job done. And he's getting better with every practice and every game. Now we're back in the playoffs. There are a lot of people that might doubt us, but everyone in our locker room believes in ourselves. We're ready to make a playoff run."
But BC kept the pressure on New Hampstead's QB Truell with sacks from Kam Cody, John Lilly and Colby Brennan. Wyatt Estabrook and Micah Williams had the 2 interceptions. The Cadets held the Phoenix to 34 yards rushing.
Special teams were also on point for the Cadets. Bubba Frazier had a punt return of 45 yards to set up a short field and Connor Ferguson was 3 for 3 on his field goals while converting all five of his PATs. His 52-yard field goal in the third quarter was a new school record, breaking his own mark of 50 yards set in a win over Burke County earlier in the year, BC kicking coach Pat Parker said. "I've been hitting from that distance all season in practice, and I made really good contact with that one," Ferguson said. "As soon as I saw it was between the uprights — I knew it was good and started celebrating a little early. I just try to stay focused and keep my notes in my head about keeping my head down and all the other steps I take. It was a great snap by John (Lilly) and another great hold by Robert Leonard. We've been working on it all year."
