GREENBRIER 20 GROVETOWN 16
by: Justin Williams, Augusta Chronicle / Columbia News Times
Jahvon Hardrick saw the hole open up and knew he was end zone-bound.
"Once I saw that hole, I had to hit it," the junior said. "My fullback, my line cleared it out for me. After I broke that one tackle, I knew I was out of there."
Hardrick's run capped off a ferocious Greenbrier comeback, as the visiting Wolfpack stormed to a 20-16 victory over Grovetown in Friday's season-opener for both teams.
"We played sloppy in the first half," said Greenbrier coach Brian Smith, who cited the team's penalties -- 13 for 110 yards -- as one cause. "We came out the second half, we talked to our guys, and we just knew we were determined to win."
The Warriors took the lead less than four minutes in, as quarterback Xavier Crain bolted 40 yards for the game's first score.
Grovetown extended the advantage to 10-0 after a Corey Stone field goal in the second quarter. Crain made it 16-0 on a 7-yard run a minute into the fourth quarter.
That's when Greenbrier's plan of abandoning an ineffective run game started to pay dividends.
Senior quarterback Scott Reeder led the charge, finishing 13 for 23 for 128 yards.
His 14-yard touchdown strike to Will Price brought the Wolfpack within 10 with nine minutes to go.
About fout minutes later, Trey Lawhorn took a swing pass from a scrambling Reeder and ran 40 yards for a touchdown.
Hardrick completed the scoring minutes later.
Crain was the Warriors' offensive leader on the night, carrying 18 times for 91 yards.
He also completed a pair of passes for 35 yards and threw an interception.
Grovetown coach Rodney Holder said he expected nothing less from a rivalry game.
"Guys are everywhere, and they're battling to get back in the game," Holder said of the players' competitiveness on opening night. "I tip my cap to them. They made a few big plays on us at the end to give them a chance to win, and they pulled it out."
Reach Justin Williams at (706) 868-1222 ext. 116 or justin.williams@augustachronicle.com. | 
