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In a hard-fought clash under the Friday night lights, the Central Eagles (9-2) narrowly defeated the Landrum Cardinals in the first round of the South Carolina 2A football playoffs with a final score of 36-26.

The game kicked off with Central sending the opening kick to Landrum. Junior Quarterback Foster connected with Senior Kirby Gentry for a 24-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful PAT, putting the Cardinals ahead 7-0 just 9:02 into the first quarter.

However, Central responded with authority. The Eagles running back powered through the Cardinals’ defense for an 8-yard touchdown run, converting a two-point attempt to take an 8-7 lead at 5:52 of the first quarter. As the clock wound down, Foster connected with Medvar for a 31-yard touchdown pass, and with another PAT, Landrum regained the lead at 14-8 going into the second quarter.

The Eagles continued to fight back, executing an 85-yard screen pass for a touchdown, followed by another two-point conversion, which shifted the tide to 16-14 in favor of Central. Landrum retaliated with a touchdown pass from Foster to AJ Lindsey, although a failed conversion left the score at 20-16.

With just 1:10 left in the first half, Central retook the lead, scoring a touchdown from 25 yards out, but failed to convert the two-point attempt. The halftime score settled at 22-20 in favor of the Eagles.

The second half began with Central dominating on the ground. They scored again to extend their lead to 28-20. Landrum stayed in the game, responding with a touchdown to narrow the gap to 26-34.

The Cardinals suffered a setback when Foster threw an interception, but they quickly turned momentum by recovering a fumble on the next play. However, Central’s defense stepped up, claiming back-to-back sacks, one resulting in a safety that stretched the Eagles’ lead to 36-26.

Despite late-game turnovers exchanged by both teams, neither could capitalize, sealing Central’s victory at 36-26. 

With this loss, the Landrum Cardinals ended their season with a record of 5-5, 1-3. Despite a 5-1 start, the Cardinals finished the season with four losses versus extremely tough competition. However, they made great strides and continued to show improvement throughout the season, showing positive signs for coach Brent Bridges’s second year at the helm.