Football Recap: Wardlaw Academy Comes Up Short in High-Profile Contest with Laurens Academy

Wardlaw Academy faced Laurens Academy in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. The Patriots lost 36-14 to the Crusaders. The Patriots' loss continues a trend for the team, making it three in a row.

Caleb Hardy produced another solid performance rushing for 232 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 8.6 yards per carry for Laurens Academy. Hardy didn't just play on offense: he also made nine total tackles (0.5 for loss) and defended three passes in addition to snagging an interception. Ethan Collins was another major influence, as he rushed for 64 yards and ran in a TD.

Wardlaw Academy's defeat dropped their record down to 1-5. As for Laurens Academy, their win was their third straight at home, which pushed their record up to 6-1.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Wardlaw Academy will take on Newberry Academy at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Wardlaw Academy will be up against Newberry Academy's rather soft defense (which has allowed 41.33 points per game), so fans could be in store for a big offensive performance. As for Laurens Academy, they will face off against Christian Academy at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.