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Kenny Fey

Pendleton High School’s Devonte Hopkins leans dejectedly on the fence bordering the field during the final moments of the Bulldogs’ 42-7 loss to Central in the second round of the Class AA playoffs on Friday night in Pageland. Pendleton finished its 2008 campaign with a record of 8-4.

PAGELAND — Not that it would guarantee a complete reversal of fortunes, but the Pendleton High School football would give anything to take back the closing minutes of the first half of Friday night's second round playoff game against Central.

Having struggled offensively early in the night, the Bulldogs had still managed to keep the game tight at 14-0, but a pair of late scores by the Eagles just before the halftime break seemed to make all the difference in their 42-7 victory over Pendleton on a dreary, foggy night in Pageland.

Following their third consecutive three-and-out drive of the second quarter, the Bulldogs (8-4) punted down to the Central 41-yard line with 2:54 left to go in the half.

The Eagles (12-0) wasted no time once they got the football back in their hands, as quarterback Steven Smith hooked up with Trent Strickland for a 59-yard scoring strike.

After getting the ball back, Pendleton showed some life and fired back with a long pass from John Michael Gibson to Anthony Eubanks down the left sideline to the Central 33-yard line.

But on the next play, Gibson was jarred by a trio of Eagle defenders, which sent the ball into the air, and eventually the hands of Central's Kegan Funderbunk, who returned it 67 yards for a touchdown, and an insurmountable 28-0 deficit for Pendleton.

"They're a very good team, and we knew that going in," Pendleton head coach Paul Sutherland said. "They don't need any help, and we gave them two cheap ones right before the half to let the game get out of hand."

Longtime Central head coach Joey Mangum also saw the end of the first half as the key to victory, which he said was the Eagles' most complete game of the season.

"I told Coach Sutherland that's probably the best we've played all year," Mangum said. "I thought it was real big that we went back and scored and turned the tide there a little bit."

The eventual loss ended the season for the Bulldogs, who have lost three of their four games this season to undefeated teams, including Abbeville, Central and Daniel.

Despite the 28-0 halftime deficit, the Bulldogs didn't lose their fight, as they manufactured a 63-yard scoring drive late in the third quarter that was fueled by a 29-yard hook up from Gibson to Anthony Eubanks.

Reggie Earle eventually punched in a 13-yard score on the ground for Pendleton, but the Eagles once again wasted no time with the ball in their possession.

On the first play of their ensuing drive, Darius Blakeney broke a run down the left sideline for a 52-yard gain, before Smith connected with Justice Cunningham for a 28-yard touchdown that essentially iced the game at 35-7.

A 45-yard touchdown scamper from Willie Clyburn rounded out the scoring for Central just one minute into the fourth quarter.

The loss marked the end of an emotional season for the Bulldogs, who had to overcome the death of freshman Avery Robinson prior to the season, before having to fight back in the final week of the season just to become eligible for the postseason.

And just like all seasons, Sutherland was able to walk away from Friday night's loss proud of his team.

"I was very proud of the effort our kids played with throughout the game," he said. "Effort was not the problem tonight."

Central will advance to play the winner of the Southside at Strom Thurmond game, which was pushed back until tonight at 7:30 p.m. due to inclement weather.

Central 42, Pendleton 7

PHS 0 0 7 0 — 7

CHS 7 21 7 7 — 42

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

CHS — Covington 33 yard pass from Thomas (Ocasio kick) 5:30

Second quarter

CHS — Clyburn 7 yard run (Ocasio kick) 11:11

CHS — Strickland 59 yard pass from Smith (Ocasio kick) 2:44

CHS — Funderburk 60 yard interception return (Ocasio kick) 00:51

Third quarter

PHS — Earle 13 yard run (Sears kick) 2:57

CHS — Cunningham 28 yard pass from Smith (Ocasio kick) 2:42

Fourth quarter

CHS — Clyburn 45 yard run (Ocasio kick) 11:00

TEAM STATISTICS

PHS CHS

First Downs 9 11

Rushes-Yards 28-105 42-309

Com-Att-Int 6-17-2 4-7-0

Passing Yards 70 126

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards 5-40 7-48

Punts-Avg 7-30.9 5-31.6

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Pendleton, Earle 14-64, Gibson 3-15, Stewart 5-10, Hill 1-2, Williams 3-1, Sullivan 2-(-)2. Central, Clyburn 11-91, Da. Blakeney 7-62, Clark 8-60, Allen 3-23, Thomas 4-22, J. Blakeney 2-17, Snith 4-15, Nivens 1-11, Kirkland 1-3, De. Blakeney 1-(-)1.

PASSING — Pendleton, Gibson 6-17-2 70. Central, Smith 3-6-0 93, Thomas 1-1-0 33.

RECEIVING — Pendleton, Eubanks 2-62, Smith 1-8, Earle 2-1. Central, Strickland 1-59, Covington 1-33, Cunning 1-28, Funderburk 1-6.