Keith High School scored four touchdowns in the second quarter to distance the Francis Marion Rams 38-8 at home.

The Bears (3-3, 2-1) led comfortably 26-6 at half and scored two additional scores in the third quarter of the regional game.

The teams traded possessions twice in the first quarter.

The Rams actually got down to the red zone before being driven back on consecutive holding penalties and sacks by Domonique Jones and Justin Franklin.

The fireworks started on the first play of the second quarter when Keith blocked a Francis Marion punt and took over on the 28-yard line.

A few plays later, Martavis Hatcher ran in from 19 yards out to put the Bears up 6-0.

It didn’t take long for Keith to put more points on the board.

Kywoine Thomas intercepted a pass and ran it all the way inside the 5-yard line.

Jared Edwards called his own number for a 3-yard run to pat the lead. A successful 2-point conversion by Jeashan Black put the score at 14-0.

Francis Marion wouldn’t just lie down though. Jamal Billingsley ran the ensuing kickoff down to the 8-yard line. A few plays later, the Rams ran it in for their only score of the night.

Keith would respond with two more scores before halftime. The first was a 32-yard run by Black.

“We came out a little bit flat. We got a couple of turnovers and Jeanshan Black’s run was one of the plays that gave us a spark,” said Keith head coach Harry Crum.

“It seemed like after that we starting getting turnover after turnover, but I’ll take a win any way I can get it.”

Late in the second half, the Bears weren’t able to score after driving down to the 11-yard line but made up for the missed opportunity on Marion’s following drive.

Edwards intercepted a pass and returned the pick for the final score of the half with 24.2 seconds left before the break.

After intermission, the Bears added two more scores before Francis Marion added a late safety. Marquez Hatcher and Thomas (his second of the night) had interceptions for the Bears.

Keith travels to Verbena High School next week in another regional game.