By Brandon Speck
Special to the Dispatch
ABERDEEN — Channing Ward scored on a 76-yard run to get things going and to lead the Aberdeen High School football team to a 36-9 victory against Velma Jackson on Friday night in the first round of the Class 3A North State playoffs.
“We started off really young and played a lot of good ball teams,” Aberdeen coach Chris Duncan said. “We got down a little bit, but I think we kind of got our mojo back.”
Ward rushed for 168 yards on eight carries and added a 1-yard touchdown catch from Josh Williams for a 30-3 lead in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs (7-5) will go to Charleston for round two Friday to face the Tigers, who’ve lost two straight to the Bulldogs.
Aberdeen went ahead 16-0 on Justin Lucas’ 4-yard run and his second two-point run.
After Velma (6-6) got within 16-3 on Devin Perry’s 27-yard field goal, Brandon Walker scored from 3 yards out and Aberdeen led 24-3 at halftime.
The lead went to 36-3 when Williams found Jeremy Brandon on a 26-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
“We’re experienced. We’ve been here the last several years and we’re ready to make a run,” Duncan said.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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