After a blow to their momentum with their first loss of the season season, the Patriots bounced back Friday with a route of visiting Francis Marion High School 70-14.

In an offensive showcase, Linden High School had a number of contributors to their 533 yards of total offense who went above the norm and exhibited rare talent. The team had two players with over 140 yards rushing and three touchdowns apiece. But it was a player lining up at receiver, defensive back and as a return man on special teams whose performance elicited a thunderous crowd response with 3:39 left to go in the fourth quarter.

Gary Williams didn&8217;t put up huge receiving yards, though two of his three catches for 43 yards did give the Patriots a first down. On defense he showed his skill with an interception on a Francis Marion third down that halted the team&8217;s second drive and offensive momentum until the fourth quarter, following a go ahead touchdown by the Patriots in the first quarter.

But William&8217;s crowning moment came with 3:39 to go in the third quarter, when a 48-yard punt return brought the home crowd to its feet. Williams snagged the ball at the Francis Marion 48 on the visitor side of the field and ran back toward the home stands, picking up blockers as he went.

Williams and the wall of Patriot red rumbled to the 10-yard line, where Williams shed his blockers and spun and juked his way into the end zone through Francis Marion athletes looking to impede his progress.

&8212; Brandon Glover