Using a trio of big plays and stingy defense, Shaw earned its first win of the season Thursday, defeating Smiths Station (Ala.) 20-7 at Kinnett Stadium.
Raiders cornerback and wide receiver Johntez Webb was in the right place at the right time twice in the second quarter as he recovered a fumble for a touchdown and hauled in a 44-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the first half.
Down 6-0 with 6:15 remaining in the second quarter, Smiths Station drove into Shaw territory when Raider defensive tackle Joe Purter recovered a fumble by Kelvin McTyre. A fumble by Purter during his return was scooped up at around the Smiths Station 30-yard line by Webb, who ran it in for the score.
With one second remaining in the quarter, Raiders quarterback Chandler Whittlesey heaved a Hail Mary pass, which Webb brought down to give Shaw a 20-7 halftime lead.
“He’s one of the kids we count on making plays,” Shaw head coach Jamie Fox said about Webb. “We’ve got several of them like him, tonight was just his night.”
Whittlesey completed nine out of 13 pass for 156 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Whittlesey’s second completion of the game went to senior Jalen Jones for 67 yards off a slant route, which Jones quickly turned up field for a touchdown.
“For only his second varsity start, you couldn’t tell,” Fox said. “He’s one of the leaders of the team. He’s the type the kids rally behind.”
Shaw flexed its defensive muscles in the second half by stopping two Panther drives.
“We gave up a few yards, which we expected with the style of football Smith Station plays on offense,” Fox said. “We knew we were going to give up a couple of first downs, but the biggest thing was to bend and not break and keep them out of the end zone.”
“It doesn’t matter how many yards we give up, it matters how many points we give up. Seven is not too bad.”
The Thursday game gave Shaw an extra day to prepare for cross-town rival Northside, Friday at Kinnett Stadium.
Fox said the win against Smiths Station gave his team confidence after falling short Aug. 26 to Central (Phenix City, Ala.) 20-6. He said the Raiders missed too many opportunities in that game, which would have made the game closer.
“Last week against Central we played hard and just came up a little bit short,” Fox said. “Tonight we played hard came out on top.”
