West’s JaQuell Davis takes a handoff from Eden Romero on Friday night.
(Shallotte Area Sports Photo/W.A. Myatt)
West Brunswick absorbed a 24-12 varsity football loss at North Myrtle Beach on Friday night to slip to 2-1 on the season.
The Trojans were without junior quarterback Josiah Borton, who sustained an upper body injury in a 38-21 home win over Whiteville on August 29.
Borton averaged 120.5 yards passing and 66.5 yards rushing in the first two games.
Receiver Eden Romero moved to quarterback with Borton out. The domino effect took Romero away as a passing target and he didn’t play his customary spot at safety on defense. West’s offensive package appeared to be reduced.
West’s scores came on an 11-yard Romero pass to Nick Graham and a run by JaQuell Davis, who carried 16 times for 50 yards. Both conversion kicks failed.
Chiefs quarterback Will McNeely ran for two TDs as NMB improved to 2-1.
Romero completed 5 of 6 for 75 yards. Stanley rushed for 55 yards on eight attempts. West had 218 yards of total offense.
Trojans coach Shane Handy didn’t blame the outcome on Borton’s absence.
“The back-up did O.K.,” Handy said. “We just played bad all the way around.
“We got outphysicaled on both sides of the ball.”
The Trojans were within 17-12 in the third quarter. Down 24-12 in the fourth quarter, a 45-yard run by Marzell Stanley put West at the Chiefs’ 5-yard line, but the hosts made a defensive stand to maintain a 2-possession lead.
West will be looking to regroup for its final nonconference game at home on Friday at 7 p.m. against South Columbus (2-1).
