Ninety Six Shuts Out Thornwell, 63-0, Its Fourth Straight Win

NINETY SIX — Last night, for the second consecutive week, he Ninety Six Wildcats put 63 points on the scoreboard and held their opponent scoreless, defeating Thornwell Friday night at Wilson-Campbell Stadium.

The victory marked Ninety Six’s fourth straight win, improving the Wildcats to 5-3 overall and 4-0 in Region 1-1A. The Wildcats remain in first place in the region standings, while Thornwell fell to 0-7 overall and 0-4 in region play.

Ninety Six wasted little time taking control of the game, scoring 36 points in the first quarter alone. By halftime, the Wildcats had a 50-0 lead.

The offense added six points in the third quarter and another touchdown in the fourth, while the defense kept Thornwell off the scoreboard throughout the night.

The shutout followed an identical 63-0 victory over Ware Shoals the previous week, continuing a remarkable turnaround for a the team after struggling earlier in the season.

After winning just one of their first four games, the Wildcats have put together four consecutive victories.

Over those four games, Ninety Six has outscored its opponents 223-20. The Wildcats have now gone eight consecutive quarters without allowing a point.

But Friday’s game took a serious turn in its final moments.

With approximately 29 seconds remaining and Ninety Six leading 63-0, play stopped after a Thornwell player suffered an injury on the field.

Medical personnel attended to Thornwell sophomore Isaiah Nolan, No. 75, and an ambulance arrived at the stadium. As the delay continued, players from both teams and cheerleaders gathered in a circle on the field to pray.

The teams eventually returned to the field and completed the remaining seconds without another score.

The Ninety Six Marching Band, which had been scheduled to perform following the game, also had its performance canceled because of rain and uncertainty surrounding the late-game delay.

With the victory, Ninety Six heads into its next matchup undefeated in region competition and riding its longest winning streak of the season.

The Wildcats will travel to Dixie on Friday, Oct. 16, for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Thornwell will have a bye week before returning to action at home against Abbeville on Oct. 23.