DUNCAN — Byrnes entered Friday’s season-opener against rival Greer down starting quarterback Lawrence Scott and defensive standout Jalen Miller.
During the contest, the Rebels lost staring running back Rahjai Harris to an injury as well. Despite that, Byrnes found a way to win and extend its streak versus the Yellow Jackets, 39-26.
“If you want to be a great football team, you have to find a way to win,” Byrnes coach Reggie Shaw said. “It’s about the next man up, and our guys proved that tonight. I am very proud of them.”
A big reason for that success was the play of quarterback B.J. Peake. The senior stepped up with 317 passing yards and three touchdowns.
“I felt poised tonight,” Peake said. “I just trusted the Lord and gave my everything. I love how my offensive line responded. Our receivers were making the blocks and doing whatever they had to. We are sound all the way around.”
Byrnes needed just 36 seconds to score when Peake connected with Braylin Johnson for a 47-yard score and 7-0 lead.
Greer responded right away. On the Yellow Jackets’ second play from scrimmage, Dre Williams ran away from the Byrnes defense for a 78-yard score. The extra point attempt failed, leaving Byrnes ahead 7-6.
Following a six-yard touchdown pass from Peake to T.J. Young to push the lead to 14-6, Williams returned the ensuing kick 96 yards for a score, cutting the margin to 14-12.
Williams’ third score, a 46-yard run, gave the Yellow Jackets their first lead at 19-14. Byrnes trimmed the deficit to 19-17 on a 34-yard field goal by Clayton Crile, and regained the lead before half on one-yard run by Mike Jenkins to make the score 25-19.
Greer took an early 26-25 third-quarter lead on a nine-yard touchdown run by Williams, but that proved to be Greer’s final points of the night. Byrnes regained the lead for good when Nijae Crouch recovered an errant punt snap in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown, and added the game’s final points on a 68-yard pass from Peake to Ben Henson.
Williams finished the game with 283 yards on 30 carries.
“That kid is something special,” Shaw said. “He has a great career ahead of him.”