May River knew what was coming. Heck, the Sharks’ coaches were practically calling Wade Hampton’s plays from the sideline. They just couldn’t stop the Red Devils’ powerful rushing attack.
DeShareoh Williams rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns, Jamian Risher added 95 yards and a score, and Quayshon Williams and Jamir Busby each added a rushing touchdown to lead Wade Hampton to a 33-24 road win and the Region 8-3A title.
Two strong offenses traded punches in the first half, as each methodically marched down the field on its first series. DeShareoh Williams scored on a 4-yard run to cap Wade Hampton’s opening series, and Ahmad Green scored on a tough 11-yard slog on May River’s first possession.
The Sharks came up with the first big defensive play of the night when Steffin Gadson’s interception set up Green’s second touchdown run of the night to give May River a 14-7 lead, but a 46-yard pass from Quayshon Williams to Tyshawn Shaw set up Busby’s 6-yard touchdown run to tie it.
The Red Devils were driving again when May River’s Terry Fields picked off a pass and returned it to the Wade Hampton 37 with 15 seconds left in the half. After one play, the Sharks opted for a 43-yard field goal try from Bryce Summers, who connected for a 17-14 halftime lead.
A pair of special teams miscues pinned the Sharks deep in their own territory on their first two series in the second half, though, and the Red Devils took advantage of the short fields. Quayshon Williams scored on a 16-yard run to give Wade Hampton a 20-17 lead, and DeShareoh Williams added a 10-yard scoring run to cap a short drive.
Green gave the Sharks new life when he spun out of a tackle on fourth-and-3 and sprinted up the left sideline for a 53-yard touchdown to make it 27-24 with 21 seconds left in the third quarter. May River’s defense couldn’t keep the momentum, though. Wade Hampton put together another authoritative drive, ending with Risher breaking away for a 24-yard touchdown to make a two-score game.
The Sharks had two chances to get within a touchdown, but the Red Devils blocked Summers’ 23-yard field goal attempt with 7:29 left, and his 30-yard try with 35 seconds left missed right.
Green finished with 135 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and he warmed up after a rough start to finish 12-of-25 passing for 146 yards.
The Sharks (7-2, 3-1) will host Swansea in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs Friday.
