Putnam City 7, Westmoore 3: Pirates use running game to top Westmoore

By Bob Hersom

Published: September 27, 2008

Putnam City used two secret weapons in the second half and a not-so-secret weapon for the entire game.

The result was the Pirates' 7-3 win against Westmoore in a 6A-2 district opener Friday night at Putnam City.

Both teams' obvious weapons were their defenses, as Westmoore (1-3) pitched a shutout in the first half and Putnam City (2-2) had a shutout in the final half.

Trailing 3-0 at halftime, the Pirates came out with their secret weapons on offense: junior tailback Michael Lawrence and senior fullback Arnell Kemp.

After Putnam City rushed for only 52 yards in the first half, Lawrence and King came in to gain 120 yards — 113 in the second half. In the first half, Lawrence's only run was nullified by penalty and Kemp's lone carry gained seven yards.

In the first three games, Lawrence had 35 yards on 12 carries, Kemp nine yards on two tries.

Maybe they came of age Friday night. Lawrence, who gained 64 yards on 19 carries, scored the winning (and only) touchdown with 7:18 left in the third quarter. He also ran four yards into the end zone, but it was wiped out by penalty.

"I was real surprised I started the second half,” Lawrence said. "They just threw me in there, and I just decided I had to run hard. I got two plays in the first half, but the team came together in the second half.”

Kemp, who finished with 56 yards on eight carries, had a big 32-yard burst with seven minutes left. The play came on third-and-5 and gave the Pirates a first-and-goal at the 5. But a 24-yard field goal failed with 4:16 left.

"Arnell's a good blocker. He did a real good job,” Lawrence said.

After one quarter, Westmoore had 92 total yards, Putnam City only 9. After that, the Pirates outgained the Jaguars 165-112.

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