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One of the most exciting first halves of the season for Landrum (6-5, 4-1) turned into an ugly second half as they went down at home in the first round of the 2A playoffs after losing to the Keenan Raiders (7-4, 4-2) 62-29.

 

On a warm November night, the second-seeded Cardinals hosted a rare home playoff game against the third-seeded Keenan Raiders out of Columbia. The Cards, who received the kickoff, got off to a quick start thanks to 1000-yard rusher Colton Link. Link rushed 65 yards to open the scoring and assure himself a twenty-touchdown season. 

 

Keenan would match with a short pass play from Mikaili Jamison that went for 65 yards. They would add a two-point conversion to go up 8-7. The Cardinals responded thanks to good field position, leading to a 5-minute drive capped off by a three-yard push into the endzone by quarterback Titus Poore. The 14-8 Landrum lead would not last long, as the Raiders only needed a little over a minute to score again, adding another two-point play to give them a 16-14 edge.

 

A Cardinals four-and-out gave the Raiders the ball back. They took it l 45 yards for another TD before converting their 3rd straight two-point conversion. The Cards would match thanks to a Braden Mashtare touchdown run and Link’s two-point run to even the scoreboard at 22-22. 

 

Two touchdowns by Keenan would take their lead to 36-22, only for the Cardinals to put together one of their best drives of the season in the final minutes of the half. A Titus Poore 31-yard pass, one of the longest of the season to Mashtere, pulled the Cardinals within seven, 29-36, at halftime. 

 

The second half would be less exciting for Landrum fans as Keenan ran off 26 straight points to close out the Card’s season 62-29. 

 

Coach Jason Farmer’s team’s first season in 2A Region 1 was undoubtedly memorable. The most notable thing will be the effort showcased by the players. The Cardinals fought hard in every game all season, even when some were out of reach against much deeper and more experienced programs. The season’s highlights were many, but Colton Link’s 1000-yards/20 touchdowns were at the top, along with hosting a playoff game and beating a 4A program. The Junior dominated Cards will return numerous starters, including most of their offensive unit, so the future looks bright for the Flock going into 2023.