By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
On a night when Byrd’s offense wasn’t incredibly sharp, the Byrd defense made sure that Woodlawn-Baton Rouge didn’t take advantage.
The Yellow Jackets smothered the Panthers any time they threatened as No. 10 Byrd secured a first-round playoff win, 20-0, against No. 23 Woodlawn in the Division I Select bracket.
Woodlawn (4-7) drove four times into Byrd territory and twice into the red zone, but the Yellow Jackets turned the Panthers away every time.
Byrd (8-3) forced four turnovers and shrugged off two turnovers of its own to post its first shutout since 2022 and first home shutout since 2018 at Lee Hedges Stadium.
“Our defense played very well and ended with two fumble recoveries and two interceptions to keep them out of the end zone,” said Byrd coach Stacy Ballew. “Our defensive line and linebackers stopped the run and got pressure.
“Our free safety Abe Anderson made all the coverage checks. They have a good, athletic quarterback, and while he got to the outside a couple of times, we were able to corral him behind the line of scrimmage for the most part.”
The Byrd offense started quickly as quarterback Harrison Ayres broke off a 70-yard touchdown gallop on the Yellow Jackets’ first possession.
The Yellow Jackets knocked on the door again, relying on the legs of fullback Desmond Simmons to travel into the red zone.
The drive stalled, resulting in an Asher Murray 36-yard field goal for a 10-0 edge late in the first quarter.
Woodlawn had its best early chance two drives later a fumbled Byrd pitch in their own territory, but a pair of sacks by Darell Cottonham Jr. ended the Panthers’ first serious threat.
Simmons, who had missed the past few games with an injury, carried the Yellow Jackets into Woodlawn territory on a drive that ended in a 50-yard Murray field goal and a 13-0 advantage midway through the second quarter.
The Yellow Jackets had a chance to twist the knife after Ethan Sipes hopped on a Woodlawn fumbled snap at the 36-yard line.
But a pair of penalties turned a second-and-four from the 6-yard line into the Murray missed field goal attempt, usually a chip shot from 29 yards away.
Woodlawn marched the length of the field on their best drive of the night behind running back Jaycob Jolla and quarterback Ahmad Price.
But the Byrd defense offered just enough resistance to Woodlawn’s two-minute offense, ending the half with a Sam Greer sack that pushed the Panthers out of the red zone.
The Yellow Jackets started the second half by fumbling away the opening kickoff, but defensive back Ja’cari Williams got the ball back two plays later with one of two Byrd interceptions.
The Byrd offense was more effective in the second half, tallying their lone second-half score two drives later.
Simmons carried the ball on seven of the eight plays on the ensuring possession, scoring from three yards out late in the third quarter for a 20-0 edge.
The fullback finished with 197 rushing yards on 30 carries paired with Ayres’ 72 rushing yards as Byrd rolled up 319 total rushing yards.
“It was good to get (Simmons) back, and he had a great game and displayed great vision,” Ballew said. “We had a host of running backs get carries tonight, and they are all very capable.
“The offense had a good third quarter, held the ball a long time and ran the clock.”
Woodlawn produced one more threatening drive, but Kian Fox strip sacked Price and recovered the fumble in the red zone to keep the Panthers off the board.
The Panthers finished with just 161 offensive yards, including 4-of-11 passing for 44 yards and two interceptions.
Jolla led the way with 62 yards on the ground, but Woodlawn barely averaged three yards per carry.
After falling in the first round in 2023, Byrd marched on in a much-improved 2024 season, advancing to play at No. 7 St. Paul’s next Friday.
The Wolves (6-4) earned a first-round bye.
Contact Matt at sports@journalservicesllc.com