The Lugoff-Elgin Demons made a major statement in the Region 4-4A race Friday night, exploding in the second half to defeat the Dreher Blue Devils 43-13.
The matchup featured two teams that entered the night with identical 6-1 overall records and 2-0 marks in region play, and through the first half it looked every bit like a battle between two region contenders. Lugoff-Elgin and Dreher went into halftime tied at 13-13.
But the second half belonged completely to the Demons.
Lugoff-Elgin scored 30 unanswered points after halftime, putting up 16 points in the third quarter and another 14 in the fourth to turn a close game into a convincing 43-13 victory. The win kept the Demons tied for first place in Region 4-4A.
Quarterback Zach Williams led the way with a huge performance. Williams completed 12 of 18 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing nine times for 87 yards and another score. His four touchdown passes were a season high.
Eric Richardson was Williams’ biggest weapon through the air, finishing with 166 receiving yards and two touchdowns as the Demon offense piled up a season-high 479 total yards.
The Lugoff-Elgin defense also turned up the pressure in the second half. Tavion Nelson, Keanan Pam and Cash Majar each recorded a sack as the Demons held Dreher scoreless over the final two quarters. Dreher’s Ashton Felder rushed for 58 yards and scored both of the Blue Devils’ touchdowns.
The victory was Lugoff-Elgin’s third straight and improved the Demons to 7-1 overall. Dreher fell to 6-2, suffering its first region loss of the season.
Lugoff-Elgin will now turn its attention to another Region 4-4A matchup as the Demons travel to face Richland Northeast Friday night, and you can listen to all the action starting at 7 pm on Kool 102.7 with kickoff set for 7:30.