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Kenny Fey

Walhalla High School's Nick Tubbs (3) looks to make a move on Saluda's Tanner Quattlebaum in space during the Tigers' 16-13 win over the Razorbacks on Friday night in Walhalla.

WALHALLA — The Saluda Tigers defeated the Walhalla Razorbacks on the road, 16-13, on a last-second field goal by sophomore Brandon Proctor.

Proctor, who was playing in his first varsity game, made a 20-yard kick with five seconds remaining to put the Tigers in front.

“I felt really good about the kick. I was nervous, but the coaches encouraged me and I just did what I was supposed to do,” Proctor said.

With the score tied at 13 each in the fourth quarter, the Razorbacks (1-3) drove 65 yards and were presented with a first-and-goal at the 8-yard line with just under six minutes remaining. Walhalla running back Meeshon Thompson ran to the 1-yard line, where Saluda forced a fumble and recovered the loose ball in the end zone.

After each team stalled on the following two offensive drives, Saluda started its final drive on their own 49-yard line with 72 seconds remaining. A personal foul called on Walhalla moved the Tigers into Razorback territory, and a 26-yard pass two plays later from quarterback Drey Mitchell to Trevor Kelley set Saluda up on Walhalla’s 8-yard line. One play later, Proctor won the game with his clutch kick.

“Last week we lost because we missed two PATs and a field goal at the end against Ninety-Six, so we had sophomore Brandon Proctor come in from JV,” Saluda head coach Wayne Bell said. “He did a great job.”

The first Walhalla touchdown came on their first offensive series on a 27-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Rob Middleton to Nick Bradley. Despite missing the extra point, Saluda (2-2) could only tie the game one quarter later. Ke Ke Clark ran in from 4 yards for a touchdown, but another missed PAT left the game tied at 6-6 going into halftime.

The Razorbacks received the opening kickoff of the second half and assembled an efficient six-minute drive that covered 64 yards and resulted in the go-ahead touchdown. Middleton was four-of-four on the drive through the air, including a seven-yard pass to junior Mike Brown for the score.

The Walhalla lead was short-lived, however, as Clark returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.

“There are three phases of a football game – offense, defense and special teams. I thought we did a lot of good things offensively and defensively tonight, and special teams obviously ended up being the difference,” Razorback head coach John Boggs said. “They do a great job on special teams, and that’s a credit to those guys for working on that phase. They’re a good football team.”

Middleton finished the game with 111 passing yards and two touchdowns, and added 58 yards on the ground on 14 rushes for the Razorbacks. Mitchell led Saluda with 106 yards passing and 26 yards rushing. Both quarterbacks led their teams rushing.

“Our kids fought their hearts out and I’m not disappointed in their efforts. We had a great week of preparation and unfortunately we came up short. I hate it for these kids because they’re pouring their hearts out on the field,” Boggs said.

Walhalla hosts Travelers Rest next Friday.

Saluda-Walhalla, Stats

Saluda 0 6 7 3 — 16

Walhalla 6 0 7 0 — 13

First Quarter

Wal – Bradley 27 pass from Middleton (kick failed), 5:46

Second Quarter

Sal – Clark 4 run (kick failed), 3:09

Third Quarter

Wal – Brown 7 pass from Middleton (Metz kick), 5:59

Sal – Clark 90 kick return (Proctor kick), 5:43

Fourth Quarter

Sal – FG Proctor 20, 0:05

Sal Wal

First Downs 12 10

Rushes-yards 34-76 32-121

Passing yards 106 111

Comp-att 9-16-2 12-18-0

Punts 3-107 5-155

Fumbles-lost 3-0 1-1

Penalties-yards 1-5 3-25

Individual Statistics

RUSHING – Saluda, Clark 17-24, Mitchell 7-26, Clarke 4-12, Gilliam 4-5, Hill 2-8. Walhalla, Middleton 14-58, Thompson 11-37, Broome 4-9, Tubbs 3-18, Sharpe 1-2.

PASSING – Saluda, Mitchell 9-16-2 106. Walhalla, Middleton 12-18-0 111.

RECEIVING – Saluda, Kelley 3-53, Ouzts 2-22, Clarke 2-18, Bosket 2-13. Walhalla, Brown 3-15, McMullan 2-31, Sharpe 2-16, Tubbs 2-12, Thompson 2-10, Bradley 1-27.