White Knoll used a strong running game to defeat Brookland-Cayce 49-13 on Friday night.

The Timberwolves got a strong performance from wide receiver Caleb Geronomi, who made several big plays in the contest, including a touchdown reception in the first quarter.

“An emphasis to run the ball this week helped us,” White Knoll head coach Nick Pelham said. “We eliminated some of our holding plays. I was really happy with our edge blocking and our receivers' blocking.”

White Knoll took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter when quarterback Jhais McKiever connected with Geronomi for a touchdown. The Timberwolves looked to add to their lead late in the quarter, but the drive ended when Brookland-Cayce recovered a Geronomi fumble at the Bearcats’ three-yard line.

“We’re a red zone fumbling team on offense,” Pelham said. “We’re going to punch it in at times, but we turn it over way too much in the red zone. It got us beat against Camden, and it’s going to get us beat later in the year.”

The Timberwolves’ advantage grew to 21 after running back Tiyon Fanning rushed for a touchdown. 

Midway through the second quarter, Brookland-Cayce found momentum on offense when wide receiver Tyree Johnson caught a long pass from quarterback Andrew Frick. 

White Knoll’s defense stood tall later in the drive when running back Avery King was stopped short on fourth down.

“Really disappointed with some big plays that we gave up on defense,” Pelham said. “We defended like we’ve never practiced it before.”

White Knoll leaned on its rushing attack later in the second quarter when Geronomi broke a long run into Bearcats’ territory. A penalty on fourth down by Brookland-Cayce extended the drive, which was later capped by a three-yard touchdown run by Geronomi. 

Safety James Smith gave the Timberwolves a 35-0 lead with a scoop-and-score to end the first half.

The Bearcats got on the board early in the third quarter when wide receiver Barry Dixon caught a touchdown. White Knoll quickly answered when McKiever rushed for a touchdown, extending the Timberwolves’ lead to 35.

“I was really happy with our practice this week on defense,” Pelham said. “We understood all of the pressures and when we needed to use them. We practiced really well with them.”

Bearcats wide receiver Tyree Johnson caught a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but the Timberwolves again answered with a quick score, this time by quarterback Landon Farmer to give White Knoll a 49-13 advantage.

Brookland-Cayce falls to 0-2 and hosts May River on Friday, while White Knoll, 2-1, has a bye week.