Airport running back Hudie Jones carries in the second half. The Airport Eagles jumped out to an early 14- 0 lead over Battery Creek and held on to defeat the Dolphins 39- 24 in the first round of the 3A state playoffs on November 7. Quarterback WT Murden rushed for three first half touchdowns and threw two more in the second half to lead the Eagles past the Dolphins for the second time this season and into the second round of the playoffs.

Murden took little time establishing himself as the best player on the field when he audibled at the line of scrimmage to a quarterback keep, jetted through a huge hole to the right side, and ran 55 yards for a touchdown on Airport's first offensive play. After a Battery Creek fumble gave Airport the ball inside the Dolphin 10- yard line, Murden eluded a sack and scampered to the corner of the end zone for an 8- yard score and a 14- 0 lead.

Just before the end of the first quarter, Murden passed toward the right sideline when Battery Creek's Cleon Wright stepped in front of the pass and intercepted it returning it 53- yards for a touchdown. Suddenly, the game changed from a blowout in the making for the Eagles to a tight ballgame as the Dolphins converted their two- point conversion and trailed only 14- 8.

After a poor Dolphin punt, Murden reestablished his ability to control the game by scoring on a 33- yard run and a 20- 8 lead. But Battery Creek would not give up marching 56 yards in a minute's time through the pinpoint passing of quarterback Antonio Wiggs. Wiggs found Devon Anthony, Charles Glover, Antonio Hills, and Anthony again, sandwiching a 12- yard scramble of his own to reach the red zone. But a fourth down run was stopped short keeping the Dolphins from catching up any further in the first half.

Airport began the second half with a long, punishing, nine- minute drive. Battery Creek was finally able to put pressure on Murden on pass attempts with linebacker Denzel Davis leading the charge. But Murden stayed poised in the pocket finding Willie Vinson on a 17- yard completion and Sam Guinyard for 12 yards for crucial first downs. The drive was completed when Ryan Smith went untouched into the end zone for a one- yard touchdown giving the Eagles a 26- 8 lead.

Battery Creek responded immediately when Tavaras Pinckney returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards for a Dolphin touchdown. Another two- point conversion was achieved, and the Dolphins again put themselves in a competitive position. The Eagles answered right back when Murden found Josh Salley streaking down the left sideline for a 55- yard touchdown.

Three consecutive Dolphin drives resulted in fumbles early in the fourth quarter, the last of which set up Airport with good field position at the 36- yard line of Battery Creek. Murden quickly found Deonne Hopkins on a 20- yard touchdown in the front right corner of the end zone for a 39- 16 lead.

Fighting to the end, Battery Creek made up some ground on the scoreboard when Wiggs completed a 42- yard touchdown pass to Robert Mack with just two minutes to play. But the Airport lead would stand as the Eagles recovered an onside kick and ran out the final moments of the game.

The Eagles will be in Myrtle Beach for their second round game on November 14.