The defending Class 4A champion Benedictine Cadets scored 24 unanswered points to beat visiting Whitewater 34-10 in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs Friday night at Memorial Stadium. It was BC’s 11th straight year winning a first round game and the No. 4 ranked Cadets (9-2) will host Spalding (7-4) next week in the second round.
Whitewater (8-3) was ranked No. 9 in Class 4A by the AJC and was in the state playoffs for a third straight year after reaching the Class 5A Elite Eight last season. The Wildcats came into Friday’s game with Class 4A’s sixth best scoring offense, averaging 36.1 points per game. But Benedictine’s defense entered ranked No. 3 in the state in points allowed per game (9.10). Something had to give, but it sure wasn't BC.
After falling behind 10-3 in the second quarter, BC’s defense buckled down and never allowed another point, while the offense came to life, scoring 10 points in the third and 14 in the fourth.
It was a 0-0 game through one quarter, but Whitewater dominated the time of possession in the early going, running 20 offensive plays in the first to Benedictine’s four. On the first play of the second, Popo Aguirre scored on a one-yard run to put the Wildcats up 7-0 with 11:57 remaining in the quarter. BC answered on its following drive with a 41-yard field goal by Asher Sigmon, the longest make of the season for the senior left-footer.
Whitewater took a 10-3 lead with just under three minutes left in the first half, scoring on TJ Hartley’s 40-yard field goal. But Benedictine bounced back once again, tying the contest at 10-10 on Luke Kromenhoek’s one-yard quarterback sneak.
The Cadets received the second half kickoff and promptly went three-and-out. Whitewater’s first possession of the third quarter was ended when Cody Brinson picked off Ty Ellington’s post pass attempt. A second rushing touchdown from Kromenhoek – this time from five yards out – gave BC its first lead of the game.
An unsportsmanlike penalty on the Wildcats during the Kromenhoek touchdown run was enforced on the kickoff, and BC head coach Danny Britt didn’t miss the opportunity and elected for an onside kick attempt. It was successfully recovered by Thomas Blackshear at the WW 26, and Hudson Grove’s 47-yard field goal was the result as the Cadets led 20-10 heading to the fourth and final quarter.
Kromenhoek’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Blackshear on third-and-long made it 27-10 and iced the game for Britt’s club early in the fourth. For good measure, Kromenhoek and Blackshear connected again in the final stanza on a 37-yard deep ball to add insult to injury for the Wildcats.
BC’s defense allowed 59 passing yards in the first half and just two in the second half. The Wildcats rushed 45 times for 214 yards, but most of that damage came in the first half.
A junior committed to Florida State, Kromenhoek finished with 67 yards rushing and the two scores on 12 attempts. He threw for 211 yards and the two scores on 11-of-18 passing. He was picked off in the fourth quarter after being strip-sacked by Whitewater’s Stephen Johnson.
Blackshear had a big night as the sophomore speedster hauled in six catches for 139 yards. Senior Za’quan Bryan added four catches for 60 yards while playing big on defense at cornerback.
WW – 00 - 10 - 00 - 00 – 10
BC – 00 - 10 - 10 - 14 – 34
HALF: Tied, 10-10.
RECORDS: WW 8-3; BC 9-2.
NEXT: BC vs. Spalding (Class 4A second round, Nov. 18).
PLAYOFF FINAL SCORES
FRIDAY NIGHT 11.11.2022
CLASS 6A
LEE COUNTY 57, EFFINGHAM COUNTY 7
CLASS 4A
BENEDICTINE 34, WHITEWATER 10
TROUP 36, #4. NEW HAMPSTEAD 29
CLASS 1A-DI
HEARD COUNTY 27, #3. BRYAN COUNTY 16
GIAA AA QUARTERFINAL
FLINT RIVER 41, MEMORIAL DAY SCHOOL 18
SCISA SEMIFINALS
WILLIAMSBURG ACADEMY 38, BETHESDA ACADEMY 8
PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
SATURDAY 11.12.2022
(All games at 7:30 pm unless otherwise noted)
CLASS 5A
#3. JENKINS (4-6) @ #2. WARNER ROBINS (6-4)
CLASS 3A
#4. SALEM (2-8) @ #1. CALVARY DAY (9-0) (1 pm kickoff)
#3. HEPHZIBAH (6-4) @ #2. SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN (9-1) (5 pm kickoff)
FOLLOW Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
PHOTO CREDIT - Benedicitne social media
Optim Orthopedics supports Benedictine Military School, Calvary Day School, Richmond Hill High School, Savannah Country Day, South Effingham High School, and St. Vincent's athletics. Benedictine Military School's team doctor is Dr. David Sedory. Dr. David Palmer is the team doctor for Calvary Day School, South Effingham, and Richmond Hill. Savannah Country Day and St. Vincent's team doctor is Dr. Thomas Alexander. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game!
