Seahawks Maintain Playoff Momentum
By Terry Massey
The No. 2-ranked Myrtle Beach Seahawks' passing game has already proven that it can soar like an eagle.
On Friday night, in the second round of the Class AAA football playoffs, the Seahawks showed they can also run like a Byrd, as in Morgan Byrd.
The senior wide receiver/quarterback/running back assumed the latter role in Friday night's 38-7 victory over Midland Valley. He ran for more than 100 yards and scored three of the Seahawks' five rushing touchdowns - a big contrast for a team that prefers the passing game over the ground attack.
It was the first time this season the Seahawks did not score a touchdown through the air, but quarterback Everett Golson still had his usual productive night. He completed 16 of his 25 passes for 256 yards, but failed to add to his season tally of 36 passing TDs.
"We don't care how we score them as long as we get in the end zone," said Byrd, who now has seven touchdowns in two playoff games for the Seahawks. "But at least we showed we are not a one-dimensional offense. We take what the defense gives us."
On this night it was 220 rushing yards on 39 carries, both season-highs for the Seahawks. In addition to Byrd's 102 yards on 19 carries, Daiquone Ford (70 yards on 12 carries) and Golson (31 yards on four carries) also found paydirt on the ground.
"Our offensive line did a great job tonight," said Myrtle Beach coach Mickey Wilson, who normally prefers his spread offense to do the damage via the passing game rather than the rushing attack. "They gave our guys plenty of room to run so that's what we did."
It wasn't a complete walk in the park for the Seahawks (11-1), who watched the Mustangs (9-3) march down the field on their opening drive of the night for a quick 7-0 lead in just six plays. It was short-lived, however, as the defending state champion Seahawks answered five plays later to tie it up on Byrd's 1-yard dive.
Golson looked to pass on Myrtle Beach's next drive, but he was hounded by defenders and was forced to run out of the pocket. He broke a couple of tackles and made a spectacular burst down the sidelines to score from 21 yards out and give his team a 14-7 lead.
The Seahawks added a touchdown just before halftime on another 1-yard plunge by Byrd to make it 21-7 at the intermission, then they took the kickoff to start the second half and marched down field for Byrd's third 1-yarder of the night to take a commanding 28-7 advantage and essentially put the game on ice. Ford added a 9-yard run and Jordan Butler kicked a 25-yard field goal to account for the final score.
The Seahawks finished the night with 476 yards, almost triple the Mustangs' total of 159, and the defense tallied two interceptions and a fumble return that either ended Midland Valley drives or set up the Seahawks offense.
Myrtle Beach plays North Charleston later this week at Doug Shaw Stadium for the right to advance to the Lower State Finals.
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