Bennett helps Greenville top Dorman in opener
Greenville’s offense needed to make a third-down play just to keep possession and hold off a Dorman comeback in the high school football season opener.
To nobody’s surprise, the play went to star wide receiver Mazeo Bennett, who scored a 35-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to wrap up a 34-21 victory Friday night at Sirrine Stadium.
Dorman fell behind, 28-6, but climbed back to within seven. Bennett’s game-clinching score came with about six minutes left.
“He loves the limelight. He loves being the guy,” Greenville coach Greg Porter said of Bennett, the No. 1 player on the 864Huddle Dandy Dozen list of top college prospects in the class of 2024. “In critical situations, we know he’s built for that. … They were making a run. They were cutting into the lead. It was a big third-down play and sort of solidified the victory for us.”
Bennett, a South Carolina commit, opened his senior season with two TDs and 133 yards on five catches.
“That second touchdown,” he said. “I really feel like that was the nail in the coffin.”
Greenville tried to pound that nail on the previous play, a similar pass to the left corner of the end zone. But the ball sailed out of bounds. Bennett showed some frustration.
“I wasn’t gonna stay frustrated for too long,” he said.
When the Red Raiders lined up on the next play and starting quarterback Bryson Drummond was back on the field after a short rest, the plan was no secret. Dorman defenders were on full alert against Bennett and he scored anyway.
“They know it’s coming to me. I know it’s coming to me,” Bennett said. “Everybody in the stadium knows it’s coming to me. I just have to catch the ball.”
Dorman held Greenville to 76 passing yards to everybody but Bennett.
“Look, man, hats off to him,”
Dorman coach Jake Morris said. “He’s a heck of a football player. Their offensive line did a phenomenal job. And when you let a guy like Mazeo get loose, that’s what happens.”
Drummond finished a modest 13for-21 with an interception but with three touchdowns. He also threw one to Si Teasley. On that critical third down, Drummond was locked in on Bennett.
“He’s just so gifted and talented,” Drummond said. “It’s hard to cover him. Even if you try to double him, he’s still going to find a way.”
Greenville lost a season opener to Dorman last year, part of a brutal nonconference schedule, and still went to the Class AAAA Upper State title game. This victory could mean something even better for the Red Raiders.
“It shows that we are determined to be the best,” Bennett said. “It’s just one game, but it was very important to us to set the tone and give us a boost into the season.”