Screven County broke open a close game with 20 points in the final six minutes to earn a 34-7 road win over Westside-Augusta in the Region 3-AA opener for the Gamecocks.

            After Westside cut a 14-0 lead in half with 8:07 to play in the game, Screven capped a six-play, 56-yard drive on a six-yard run by quarterback Michael Johnson with 5:46 to play.

            Down 21-7, Westside went for it on fourth down near midfield, but came up short. It took two Travis Cole runs of 48 yards and the final 11 yards to give Screven a 28-7 lead.

            Screven added a late touchdown for the final margin.

            Cole finished with 189 yards rushing on 19 carries. Johnson rushed for 65 yards on eight carries and also tossed a 15-yard scoring pass to Cornelius Roberts.

            Screven held the ball for less than five minutes in the first half, but led 7-0 on the strength of a 26-yard scoring run by Todd Scott.

            Westside went on an 18-play, 69-yard drive that took up 10 minutes of the second quarter. But Screven held at its 11-yard line and Trent Roberts blocked Westside’s field goal attempt

            Screven moves to 3-1 on the season, 1-0 in region play. Screven plays host to Jefferson County Friday – its first home game since playing Statesboro on Aug. 31.