By MONTE DUTTON

If you go to a homecoming game, and you have no idea who is going to be the queen, bet the quarterback’s sponsor.

At Clinton High School, the monarch was Ry’Dai’ja Mars, who was – wait for it, wait for it – sponsor of the quarterback, Tushawan Richardson.

It doesn’t always happen, but that’s the way to bet.

Absent any other information, I recommend betting the jockeys in horse racing and the kennels with greyhounds. You won’t lose much.

Brock Franklin kicked a 26-yard field goal with 4:41 remaining in the first quarter, and for a minute, 13 seconds, the top-ranked football team in Class 4A, Westside, only led Laurens, 7-3.

It got no better at K.C. Hanna Stadium on Friday night, where the Rams smashed the Raiders, 49-3.

Westside senior Sharode Richardson rushed for more yards (200) than Laurens (1-7, 1-2 Region 1-4A) gained in offense (183) as a team. Richardson scored two touchdowns, carried the ball 17 times and averaged 17.8 yards a carry.

Most of the Raiders’ offense originated in quarterback Will Thompson, who completed 9/17 passes for 101 yards. The leading receiver was Brayden Patterson with four catches for 30 yards. The leading rusher was Denari Lee-Jackson, who rushed for 38 yards in 11 carries.

Westside (7-0, 3-1) also got three touchdowns from Chamarryus Bomar, who scored on a 99-yard kickoff return and scoring passes from Cutter Woods of 25 and 40 yards.

Woods was accurate on 7/9 passes for three TDs and 211 yards. Owen Crow intercepted him, but Woods averaged 30.1 yards a completion.

Given the quality of the opposition, it wasn’t that bad.

The Raiders lost two fumbles but led, 29:10-18:50, in time of possession. The Rams just scored too fast. Westside’s longest scoring drive lasted four minutes.

Laurens has a shot at the playoffs with games remaining at Emerald (4-4, 2-1) in Greenwood next Friday night and Fountain Inn (4-4, 0-3) at home on Nov. 8.

Laurens Academy (6-3, 3-1) hasn’t defeated Richard Winn (8-0, 5-0) since 2007, and the trend held in Friday night’s 62-12 victory by the Eagles over the Crusaders.

Winn reprised a 50-20 decision over LA earlier this season.

The Crusaders’ Garrett Murphy surpassed the century mark in rushing for the ninth straight time, picking up 106 yards in 10 carries. Mason Cooper added 92 yards.

Next up for Laurens Academy is a visit to King (1-6, 0-2) in Batesburg. The Knights have lost five straight games, among them a 52-36 victory on Sept. 20.

Presbyterian College men’s and women’s basketball season tickets are on sale. Tickets can be purchased through gobluehose.com or via the Hometown Tickets fan app.
 Templeton Center just got brighter. Thanks to the installation of new lights, the game-day experience will be better.
Beer and wine sales be available for fans.

PRICING
Season Tickets
Season tickets for both men’s and women’s teams – $100.00
Men’s Season Tickets – $60.00
Women’s Season Tickets – $60.00
Single Game Tickets

Courtside – $20.00
Reserved (chairback) – $15.00
General Admission – $10.00
General Admission (Child / 12 & Under) – $5.00
Group Tickets (12 or more) – $5.00 (Only available by calling the ticket office (833-8230)
PC students, Faculty & Staff receive complimentary admission with valid ID.

Clinton (7-1) rolled past Blacksburg, 36-0, in junior-varsity football on Thursday, collecting interceptions from Gray Garrett and Angel Vargas and touchdowns from Zy Butler, A’Javian James, Lincoln Alexander and Emmanuel Lagoon.

“We had a great game and played well in all three phases, offense, defense and special teams,” said coach Dontavius Glenn. “We’re starting to build more depth and get more kids playing. It’s fun to watch everyone contribute to the win.”

I’ve laid around and played around this old town too long / Summer’s almost gone, Lord, winter’s coming on – Billy Grammer

Wellpilgrim.com is trying its best – translation: I’m trying – to describe the highs and lows and avoid the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Highs and lows are inevitable because all the games have a loser and a winner, and  Wellpilgrim.com is trying its best – translation: I’m trying – to describe the highs and lows and avoid the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

Highs and lows are inevitable because all the games have a loser and a winner, and when it’s done, they are the same number.

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Photo galleries are posted on Instagram @furmanatt and @laurenscountysports.

Thanks for putting up with me.