Football Game Preview: Laurens Academy Crusaders vs. Wardlaw Academy Patriots

Laurens Academy is 2-8 against Wardlaw Academy since September of 2016 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Crusaders will be playing at home against the Patriots at 7:30 p.m. One thing working in Laurens Academy's favor is that they have posted at least 31 points in their last five games.

Laurens Academy is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of South Carolina's top teams: Newberry Academy, who was ranked 12th at the time (Laurens Academy was ranked seventh). The Crusaders breezed past Newberry Academy to the tune of 42-14 on Friday. The contest marked the Crusaders' most dominant win of the season so far.

Caleb Hardy

Rushing Yards (Career)

09/26/25 @ Newberry Academy	135
09/20/24 vs King Academy	133
09/19/25 @ King Academy	86
08/30/24 vs Wardlaw Academy	81
09/06/24 vs Oakbrook Prep	60

Laurens Academy can attribute much of their success to Caleb Hardy, who gained 245 total yards and three touchdowns, and Ethan Collins, who threw for 179 yards and four touchdowns on only 16 passes. The dominant performance also gave Hardy a new career-high in rushing yards (135).

Laurens Academy was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 236 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 187 rushing yards in five consecutive matchups.

Laurens Academy's defense stepped up as well, laying out the QB 3.5 times. Leading the way was Eli Garrett with two sacks.

Meanwhile, Wardlaw Academy fell victim to King Academy and their airtight defense on Friday. They were beaten by the Knights 36-0. Having soared to a lofty 34 points in the game before, the Patriots' shutout was a dramatic turnaround.

Wardlaw Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 1-4. As for Laurens Academy, their victory bumped their record up to 5-1.

Laurens Academy took their win against Wardlaw Academy in their previous matchup back in August by a conclusive 34-8 score. Will the Crusaders repeat their success, or do the Patriots have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.