High school football is something which has stood the test of time in the Lowcountry. As the area has grown from being a military town to one of the most diversified economies in the South, one thing has remained constant. High school football. With more schools spread across the area, there are more opportunities for players to play, and more chances for schools to make rivalries.
Summerville-Goose Creek is one. These schools have been around for several decades each, but Goose Creek was not known as a football school until Chuck Reedy came in 2002. In last week's preview, I detailed his progression in wins and how he built up the program.
John McKissick, on the other hand, has had one of the most historic programs in the country in his reign. Having been the coach since 1952, he has guided Summerville from the days when it was a small country town to now when it is one of the fastest-growing areas in the South. With 10 state titles, the program has always played at a very competitive level.
Last week's game was one of the best of the season and in the series. Delayed by rain, Goose Creek took a big lead (21-0), but Summerville came almost all the way back. A controversial first-down call and a roughing the punter penalty near the end stopped the Green Wave comeback, 21-14, giving Goose Creek an important win.
Other games also meant a lot in the area. Berkeley and Cane Bay played a slop fest in the rain in Moncks Corner; a Matt Rudy blocked punt with under :30 left led to a Phillip Jackson 34-yard FG with :10 left to give the Cobras a 3-0 win. Wando, without their starting QB and RB, pulled a win out at Lexington; Fort Dorchester, led by QB Kobe Garrett, beat Stratford on their home field; Ashley Ridge won at West Ashley to continue their best start in history; Colleton County lost to Orangeburg-Wilkinson; and James Island shut out Stall 49-0.
Porter-Gaud pulled out a win at Bishop England, Academic Magnet's Nate Schlosser, after running for 278 last week, ran for 291 this week in a win against Branchville (569 yards in two games), Beaufort beat Whale Branch, and in two Monday night games, Cathedral Academy beat St. John's Christian, and Northwood Academy, opening up their new field, beat Hilton Head Christian.
This week will be another good one. All games at 7:30 Friday unless noted.
4A: Goose Creek (2-1) @ Fort Dorchester (3-0) (MyTV Charleston): A game between the two best teams in the area per the Post and Courier. This will be a great battle between coaches. Chuck Reedy and Steve LaPrad have done great jobs this year molding their programs into something which their communities should be proud of. Kobe Garrett was the Live 5 Player of the Week this week; he deserved the honor, leading the Patriots to a big road win.
Both teams suffered through adversity last week going through hour-long weather delays to play their games; hopefully this doesn't happen this week, as this is one of the top games in the state this week.
Stratford (1-2) @ Ashley Ridge (4-0): Not that much was expected of Ashley Ridge this year. Many people picked them to compete in the region, but not to compete for a region title. Having good skill players in 4A high school football helps to make your team become a cream of the crop squad. Dashawn Santiago showed that last week at West Ashley with 8 catches for 111 yards and a TD.
Stratford has gone thru some growing pains under Joe Marion, starting 1-2, but they have a chance to turn that around this week with a win at Ashley Ridge. Next week they host Hanahan, then they travel to Summerville.
Wando (2-1) @ Summerville (3-1): A sneaky good matchup from Summerville Friday night. We have to see if some of Wando's skill players will be back. Last week, Wando QB Bailey Hart was injured. He was replaced by Olivier Michaud, a sophomore. Without seven starters, Wando went into Lexington, on their Homecoming, and beat them by two points 25-23. That is one of the most impressive wins by a local team this year.
Summerville had a tough time last week, as they are nursing many of their early season players. Many of the players that were hurt are just coming back now. The Green Wave still have two more games after this before region play, but neither are easy, @ West Ashley and hosting Stratford.
West Ashley (2-1) @ Colleton County (1-3): Colleton County is a surprising 1-3 to start the season. All of their losses have been tough ones, with the largest margin 21-10 last week vs. O-W. Flip a few plays here and there, and we could be talking about a 4-0 team. But we are in the here and now. West Ashley's first road game was a big win at Bishop England. Now, they travel to Colleton County, who badly needs a win. West Ashley has Summerville, @ Fort D, and Wando next. They do not want to go in a slump. Both teams need this game.
Bluffton (2-2) @ Whale Branch (0-3) (Thursday, 7:30): Bluffton will play a rare Thursday night game this week at Whale Branch. This game will be televised live around the Savannah area on MySAV, and aired Sunday morning at 10 on WSAV.
3A: Georgetown (3-0) @ Carvers Bay (0-3): Georgetown is 3-0, and they travel to Carvers Bay, who is 0-3 for the first time in a long time.
Beaufort (1-2) @ Battery Creek (1-2): Something has to give here Friday night. Beaufort hasn't won a road game, while Battery Creek has not won a home game yet on-field this year. Battery Creek lost 55-14 last week to Hilton Head. Beaufort shut out Whale Branch last week 21-0.
Cane Bay (2-2) @ Hanahan (1-2): Much improved Cane Bay plays a Hanahan team that got their first win two weeks ago, shutting out Bishop England. Hanahan has one more road game next week at Stratford before they begin region play the next week against Hilton Head. They have four of their last six on road.
Richland Northeast (0-3) @ Orangeburg-Wilkinson (4-0): Orangeburg-Wilkinson goes for a 5-0 start on Friday night. O-W has given up a whopping 16 points in their first four ball games. The most they've allowed is 10 to Colleton County.
Garrett (3-1) @ Stall (1-2): A all North Charleston battle this week. Garrett is 3-1, and beat Military Magnet 34-6 last week in a big win. Garrett has one more non-region game against Burke next week before region play, while Stall hosts Colleton County next week.
2A: Woodland (2-3) @ Bamberg-Ehrhardt (3-0): After an 0-3 start, Woodland hopes to get back to .500, but they will have to do that against an undefeated Bamberg-Ehrhardt side who beat Barnwell last week.
Academic Magnet (2-1) @ Baptist Hill (0-3): Academic Magnet has looked very good in their last two wins, with Schlosser carrying the load. Baptist Hill has started a rough 0-3, scoring just twelve points in their first three games. Maybe they will end their slump this week.
Timberland (3-0) @ Bishop England (0-3): Bishop England has had a tough time in their first three games. Last week against Porter-Gaud though, they played much better, only losing by three points. Now, the Timberland Wolves come in. For several seasons, this was one of the best rivalries in the Lowcountry when both played in the same region. Now, Timberland plays in a region with mostly Pee Dee and Sumter area teams, but these two still have great battles together.
Branchville (1-2) @ North Charleston (1-2): North Charleston finally got their first win last week at Burke, winning by ten points, 42-32. Now they hope to even their record vs. Branchville.
Green Sea-Floyds (0-4) @ Waccamaw (2-2): 2-2 Waccamaw hopes to bounce back from their seven-point loss at Georgetown with a home game against Green Sea-Floyds.
1A: Burke (0-3) @ Lake Marion (1-2): Lake Marion becomes one of the last teams in the state to open up their home schedule; they started with 3 road games. Burke has already scored 79 points in their first three games; they only scored 72 in ten games last year.
Cross (1-2) @ Scott's Branch (1-2): Scott's Branch and Cross, each 1-2 teams, both hope to get to .500 this Friday night in an important game for each. Scott's Branch won at Burke 2 weeks ago.
Military Magnet (1-2) @ Ridgeland/Hardeeville (1-2): Military Magnet makes the long trip to Ridgeland/Hardeeville; Ridgeland lost last week at Estill.
James Island (3-1) @ St. John's (2-2): James Island makes the short trip to St. John's to play the Islanders. Both teams have been much better this season. St. John's had a tough loss at Screven County (GA) to open the year, but beat 3A Stall and 2A Whale Branch after that before falling 15-7 to Lake View. They become one of the few teams to host schools from all 4 classes, now hosting 4A James Island. The Trojans are 3-1, having shut out an opponent for the first time since 2005 last week against Stall. Buss Hamilton, their RB, ran for 4 TDs last week. This will be an interesting battle.
SCISA: Trinity-Byrnes (3-0) @ Colleton Prep (2-1): 3-0 Trinity-Byrnes travels to Walterboro to play the 2-1 Warhawks.
Pee Dee Academy (0-3) @ Dorchester Academy (0-4): One team will get their first win in this one.
Hilton Head Prep (2-1) @ Palmetto Christian (0-3): A rough start for Palmetto Christian, scoring just 16 in their first 3 games (0, 7, and 9 last week). They hope to improve this week.
Hilton Head Christian (1-2) @ First Baptist (0-4): Hilton Head Christian has a short 3-day turnaround after losing at Northwood Academy Monday night. First Baptist hopes for win #1.
Northwood Academy (3-0) @ Thomas Heyward (2-1): Northwood Academy and P&C Offensive Player of the Week Trevor McNeil, on a short turnaround, will travel to Thomas Heyward.
Pinewood Prep (2-2, 0-1) @ Ben Lippen (2-2, 1-2): Pinewood Prep, led by Louis Vaughan, will travel to Ben Lippen this week.
Hammond (3-0, 3-0) @ Porter-Gaud (3-1, 1-0): Erik Kimrey and Hammond come to Porter-Gaud this week in probably the best statewide SCISA game. PG is led by QB Kris Johnson, who won Channel 4's Athlete of the Week this week.
8-Man: Ridge Christian (1-3) @ Beaufort Academy (0-3): Beaufort Academy hopes to get first win of season on home field.
Cathedral Academy (2-1) @ Carolina Academy (2-1): Cathedral, after a win Monday at St. John's Christian, on three days rest goes to Lake City to play Carolina Academy.
Charleston Collegiate (1-2) @ Patrick Henry (3-1): Charleston Collegiate hopes to play better than last week; they lost 76-0 to Richard Winn.
St. John's Christian (1-2) @ Coastal Christian (0-4): After forfeiting last game, Coastal Christian hopes to have enough bodies to play St. John's. St. John's lost Monday night to Cathedral.
Faith Christian (3-1) @ James Island Christian (0-3): After last week's loss against Andrew Jackson, James Island Christian hopes to bounce back.
It will be another great week in high school football. Hope you enjoy the games!
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