Conway Defeats North Myrtle Beach 23-6 in Friday Night Regional Matchup

The Conway High School Tigers earned an upset victory on Friday, Oct. 16, defeating the North Myrtle Beach High School Chiefs 23-6 in a Region 7-AAAA high school football matchup in Conway.

Conway controlled the game on the ground and dominated possession time, running 75 offensive plays compared to just 31 by North Myrtle Beach. Conway running back Gabriel Williams led the offense with 205 rushing yards on 35 carries and scored two touchdowns. The Tigers opened the scoring on their first drive with a 4-yard touchdown run by Williams, followed by a 29-yard field goal from kicker Brantley Hall early in the second quarter to build a 10-0 lead.

North Myrtle Beach responded in the second quarter with a 72-yard touchdown run by Jayden Wilson, cut to 10-6. The Chiefs nearly took the lead before halftime when quarterback Mason Walker completed a pass to Anthony Cimino, but Cimino fumbled inside the 5-yard line, resulting in a touchback out of the end zone.

The Chiefs kept the contest competitive into the third quarter by blocking a field goal and making a goal-line stand. However, Conway pulled away in the fourth quarter with an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mahkai Canty to Tra'vez Taylor and a late 1-yard touchdown run by Williams. Canty finished the night 11-of-15 passing for 131 yards, while defender Sakai McLendon recovered two fumbles for the Tigers.

With the result, North Myrtle Beach fell to 6-2 overall and 2-2 in Region 7-AAAA play, marking their second consecutive loss. Conway improved to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the region under head coach Jody Jenerette, whose staff includes former Chiefs head coach Greg Hill.

North Myrtle Beach will look to recover at home next Friday when they host region leader South Florence (6-2, 4-0). Conway will travel to face St. James (2-7, 0-5).