Marlboro County Wins AAAA Division II Title

The Marlboro County Bulldogs and the Conway Tigers battled as only rivals can do to put on one of the best State Championship matchups in recent years withthe Bulldogs winning the contest 17-10.

Conway came into the game as heavy underdogs in the minds of most, yet executed a game plan that kept Syvelle Newton from hurting them with his dazzling running abilities. But in the end, it was that game plan that failed the Tigers.

With less than a minute remaining in the 10-10 deadlock, Syvelle Newton and the Bulldogs had a first down inside the Conway 30 yard line. Newton ran two consecutive plays that resulted in throwing the ball away out of the endzone.

"I knew we had three chances to get it closer for a field goal or score," said the 6-2 junior quarterback, "and I just wanted to make sure I didn't make a dumb play by throwing an interception so when I saw they weren't open, I just threw the ball away to stop the clock."

Junior QB Syvelle Newton was kept in check most of the night, but when the Bulldogs needed a big play, he pulled through.

But after a discussion in the huddle with wide receiver Kevin Ashwood, the Bulldogs third attempt was successful. Conway had been keeping their linebackers up and stationary to keep Syvelle from running all night. The young Bulldog quarterback took advantage of that on their third play of that final scoring series, but finding Kevin Ashwood alone in the middle of the field on the two yard line, where he hauled in the bullet pass and fell into the endzone for the winning score. Kevin Ashwood is congratulated after the winning touchdown.

"I told our kids at half time," said Marlboro Coach Dean Boyd, "that we have too many athletes on this team and someone needed to step up and make the plays. Well, there you have it... they had been keeping Syvelle in check all night long but when we really needed it, he and Kevin (Ashwood) stepped up and did what they had to do to win this ball game."

"Coach Jordan had a heck of a game plan for us and those two runningbacks (Conway's Allen Patrick and Melvin Singleton) scared me. Those kids played hurt most of the night.. I kept seeing them leave the field limping, and then they'd come back in and make a big play. Those kids are champions too."

Marlboro County ends the season with a perfect 15-0 record and their second State Title under Dean Boyd, who lead the Bulldogs to the title in 1998.

SCVaristy will have photo galleries from all title games later next week.