EASLEY — The fourth quarter again proved to be the downfall of the Easley Green Wave (1-2) as they were unable to hold a late lead, this time as Belton-Honea Path (3-0) came roaring back for a 42-28 road win.
Easley jumped out to the early 7-0 lead as Weston Black hit Carter Wiles in the corner of the endzone for the game’s opening score from 20 yards out. Following a couple of miscues, a missed field goal and a lost fumble, the Green Wave gave life to the Bears as O’Ryan Warren would reach paydirt with a 6-yardd TD run and a 7-7 halftime score.
The second half would be a different story offensively.
Easley took an early second half lead with a Will Drawdy TD making the score 14-7. Nine seconds later BHP would strike back with a 56-yard TD catch on a tipped pass by Cameron Dixon from Kameron Burton.
The Green Wave’s defense would then get in on the act as Sean-Thomas Faulkner picked a pass by Burton and returned it for the TD and a 21-14 lead. BHP’s Burton would respond almost immediately, finding Xavier Nance for a 57-yard gain and then an option keeper by Burton from eight yards out tied the game at 21-21 at the end of the third quarter.
Bralan Fuller would make catches of 41 and 12 yards in the fourth to help the Green Wave regain the lead at 28-21. But that would be the last of the points for Easley on the night.
Easley would later fumble the ball away at its own 26. BHP’s Brelan Sampson then tied the score at 28.
Easley would suffer a three and out before a short punt and a short field for the Bears. Six plays later Burton scored from the nine yard line giving the Bears a lead, 35-28. The Bears’ Andrew Owen would seal the fate of Easley with a 40-yard interception return for a TD and a final score of 42-28.
The Green Wave hosts the Wren Golden Hurricanes (1-1) Sept. 9 with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. at Easley High School.
