Aug. 25—Blackville-Hilda 36, Barnwell 34

Blackville-Hilda is now the team to beat in Barnwell County following Thursday night's 36-34 victory at Barnwell.

A 36-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter by the Fighting Hawks' (2-0) Samari Williams gave Blackville-Hilda some breathing room in what had been a back-and-forth game.

Barnwell (1-1) quarterback Cameron Austin accounted for 219 yards of total offense and passed for a touchdown and rushed for three more, including a fourth-quarter answer to cut Blackville-Hilda's lead to 36-34. But the Fighting Hawks were able to run out the clock and seal the victory.

Jaquel Holman started the scoring with a 70-yard touchdown run, and Williams ran one in from 6 yards out for a 12-0 lead. Austin answered with a 4-yard run, making it a 12-6 game after one quarter.

Namair Anderson picked off an Austin pass and returned it 39 yards for the score, his second pick-six of the season already, for an 18-6 lead, but Austin hit Kahzeer Wesley for a 35-yard score to make it 18-13 at the half.

Barnwell jumped ahead in the third quarter on Austin's 1-yard run, then was trailing again when Holman cashed in from a yard out. Jaquan Peeples returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for a score to put Barnwell back ahead, 27-24, before Holman scored his second rushing touchdown of the quarter from 10 yards out to put the Fighting Hawks back in front.

Blackville-Hilda will be at home next Friday against Allendale-Fairfax, while Barnwell will hit the road Friday to face Bamberg-Ehrhardt.