By Mark Schmerling

When Landrum hosts Powdersville High School (of Greenville) for football this Friday, the Cardinals will be coming off a 37-17 win over Liberty last week. That win was bolstered by the Cardinals making just one turnover and taking advantage of eight turnovers they forced against the Red Devils.

The Cardinals are now 2-3 overall, and 1-1 in region competition.

Cardinal Coach Jason Farmer switched his explosive junior Anthony Anderson to running back. Anderson responded by gaining 170 yards on 20 carries, and scoring three touchdowns. Anderson might be used occasionally as a receiver, but count on him as mostly a running back.

Damien Cantrell, another Landrum running back, who gained 107 yards in a recent game, will be back Friday, after sitting out hurt during the Liberty game.

Did defeating Liberty provide a boost for Farmer and the Cardinals? “It did,” Farmer noted. “It really did. If felt good to get on the winning side.”

Like Landrum Powdersville employs a spread offense, and like the Cardinals, the Patriots feature, said Farmer, a very good quarterback and a very good running back. “It will be a challenge,” Farmer noted.

Powdersville is 4-1 overall and 1-1 in region play. The Patriots’ lone loss (13-6) came at the hands of Woodruff last Friday. What does that say about Powdersville?

“It means they’re a good football team,” Farmer noted, as Woodruff is 5-0 overall, and ranked 14th among South Carolina high school teams. Farmer also emphasized that his Cardinals have been constantly improving.

Opening kickoff is set for 7:30.