Marlboro County scored two third quarter touchdowns and held off a late push over the final 12 minutes by North Brunswick to pick up a 27-19 victory in game three of the Carolinas Kickoff Clash in Myrtle Beach on Saturday afternoon.
Jordan Howard took the opening kickoff deep into Marlboro County territory and Tiger Bryant capped a short drive with a 19-yard strike to Latrell Hill to give the Scorpions an early 6-0 lead.
Hill and Derrick Blanks contributed in a strong first half effort on the defensive side of the ball as Blanks picked up a fumble recovery, but Marlboro County took a one point advantage with 5:41 to go in the second quarter when Malik Townsend found the end zone on an 18-yard burst to grab a one-point edge following the successful extra point attempt.
Jominique Jacobs made it 13-6 at the break in favor of Marlboro with a 76-yard interception return before North Brunswick tied the game on a JC Smith four-yard run after Jayhlen Washington got possession back for the Scorpions on an interception to start the second half.
Marlboro County regained the lead for good on a 10-yard touchdown reception by Tony Graham late in the frame and Decosta Ford scored on a blocked punt with less than two minutes to go in the third quarter to build a 27-13 advantage.
Bryant gave the Scorpions life with a one-yard dive into the end zone early in the fourth quarter, but a late drive to potentially tie the game was thwarted as North Brunswick threw an interception to seal their fate. The Scorpions fell to 1-1 in non-conference play and play cross-county rival South Brunswick on Friday, September 4.
