Hayes by land and Banks by air lead Woodbridge to 29-0 win over Wilmington Friends

Ji’Kare Banks of Woodbridge hauls in a touchdown pass in the victory over Wilmington Friends Photo by Dar’Juan Pitts

GREENWOOD – The Woodbridge Blue Raiders used a punishing ground game with only a handful of passes en route to a Homecoming win over the Wilmington Friends Quakers 29-0.

Woodbridge amassed 323 yards of offense, 275 running the ball.

The Blue Raiders struck quickly just three plays into the game when Malachi Hayes scored on a five-yard run set up by a 55-yard run on the first play of the game. Evan Woodall converted the extra point kick as Woodbridge took a 7-0 lead just 1:05 into the game.

Hayes carried the ball 25 times for 169 yards and two touchdowns.

“Malachi Hayes is such a smooth runner; he just glides down the field. He is a weapon we like having,” Woodbridge head coach Marvin Dooley said.

The Blue Raiders forced a punt on the Quakers’ first series and quickly capitalized when Logan Moran connected with Ji’Kare Banks on a slant pattern for a nine yard touchdown pass. Woodall added the extra point as Woodbridge took a 14-0 lead with 3:42 to play in the first quarter.

“Ji’Kare Banks is just a great athlete; he made a leaping catch and a one-handed catch tonight for touchdowns,” Dooley said.

An interception by Hayes led to another Woodbridge touchdown. On third down, Moran connected with Banks on a fade pattern in the end zone. Banks made a one-handed reception to complete the 22-yard touchdown pass. Woodall added the extra point, giving Woodbridge a 21-0 lead with 10:30 left in the first half.

Wilmington Friends was forced to punt on the opening possession of the third quarter. Woodbridge added another score when Hayes crossed the goal line on a one-yard run. On the extra point attempt, holder Ryan Scott pulled down a high snap and then ran it in for two points as the Blue Raiders extended their lead to 29-0 with 4:20 to play in the third quarter.

The Woodbridge defense held Wilmington Friends to 162 yards of total offense, while Quakers quarterback Ryan Tattersall accounted for 105 yards both rushing and passing.

“You don’t stop Tattersall; you try to slow him down and I think our defense did that tonight. He is a great athlete,” Dooley said.

Wilmington Friends drops to 3-4 on the season and will host Mt. Pleasant next Saturday at 2:30 for the Quakers’ homecoming.

Woodbridge improved to 6-1 and will host Lake Forest in a Class AA District 3 game next Friday night. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM.