photo by Chris McCandlish

The Wando Varsity Football team took home the win Friday night. It was a great start to their regular season with a 31-0 win against the Ridge View Blazers.

Wando High School opened its regular season Friday night with a 31-0 win against the Ridge View Blazers in what Wando coach Jimmy Noonan called a strong team effort.

"We came out and controlled the ball offensively and played some good, hard-nosed defense," Noonan said. "Tonight I think we won the conditioning battle; that was evident. That gives credibility to our off-season," he said.

After a scoreless first quarter, Wando kicker Brandon Burkholder put in a 39-yard field goal to put Wando up 3-0. After a long offensive drive including two runs by QB Sam Norton for 22 yards and 14 yards, the Warriors had the ball at the Ridge View 31 yard line. Norton dropped back for the pass, dodged two tackles, and threw a 31-yard pass to Alex Glover, who then hurdled a would-be tackler to run it in for a touchdown.

Norton had a pass intercepted by Ridge View's Jammie Portee in the second quarter, but it came to a Ridge View three-and-out.

After a near-interception and a sack for a loss of five yards, Wando had the ball on Ridge View's 22-yard line when running back Dezmon Venning threaded a hole in the blazer defense for a touchdown run, putting Wando up 17-0.

The Warriors avoided a Ridge View touchdown just before halftime when Precise Manigault intercepted a long pass near the endzone.

Ryan Turnage replaced Norton in the third quarter for Wando after Norton was injured on a facemask penalty.

Later in the third quarter, after an encroachment penalty gave Wando a first down, Tony Bailem ran for six yards, and then Isaac German broke a few tackles for a seven-yard touchdown run to put Wando up 24-0.

In the first Ridge View possession of the fourth quarter, Wando's Alec Westerman picked up a fumble and ran it back for a 55-yard touchdown return.

Wando kicker Casey Clawson made all four extra points for the night. Late in the final quarter, a Ridge View field goal attempt hit the left upright, preserving Wando's shutout.

Wando's defense held Ridge View to just 118 offensive yards over the game. Though delighted with Wando's win, coach Noonan said it is important that his team keeps it in persepective.

"We've been on the other side too many times to enjoy this for too long," he said.

Wando will take on Conway away this Friday, Sept. 3.

(Chris McCandlish can be reached at news@moultrienews.com. Visit www.moultrienews.com and click on Local Clicks to see more pictures from this game.)