Hard to believe, but for many schools in our area, high school football season is half over with. The Shrine Bowl rosters, showcasing 44 of the best players in South Carolina, will be released next Monday. Smaller schools begin region play this week, while 4A schools begin next week. Last week was another interesting week in the Lowcountry, just like what college football brought us.
In last week's games, we had Summerville playing to their potential with a homecoming win against West Ashley that they badly needed. Fort Dorchester shut out Wando in a big surprise, after Wando had blown out Summerville the week before. Stratford got a big win at Hanahan in their first meeting since 1983. Goose Creek got a big win against Eastern Christian Academy, who played very dirty in their game, with several unsportsmanlike penalties and even ejections.
James Island is now 5-1, for the first time since 2000, after beating Bishop England. Cane Bay got over SIX HUNDRED yards rushing in a win over Ashley Ridge. Cane Bay is 3-3, after not winning a game last year. Colleton County blew out Stall, 35-0.
Timberland pulled out a big win over Berkeley to extend Berkeley's tough season so far. Academic Magnet won again. The Raptors are 4-1, and are in the top 10 in the Lowcountry Post and Courier poll, which I don't think they've ever made. Bluffton lost 12-7 at Hilton Head, while Beaufort won at Manning 21-20, and Orangeburg-Wilkinson stayed undefeated, 44-20 over Richland Northeast. North Charleston also got their second win of the year, at Baptist Hill.
This week will be a good one with some interesting games around the Lowcountry. Just like 25 of 30 days in September, there is a chance of rain this Friday night. It varies depending on where you are in the area. Many games in the Upstate have been moved to Thursday. Multiple games in our area have already been moved to other places or moved up their times. All games start at 7:30 Friday unless noted.
4A:
Ashley Ridge (4-2) at Goose Creek (4-1): Both Goose Creek and Ashley Ridge are on their seventh game of the year, amazingly. The Swamp Foxes were gashed last week against Cane Bay. Goose Creek's win against Eastern Christian Academy last week was a good one, even with ECA's QB David Sills not playing due to injury. Chuck Reedy said it was one of the toughest teams to play at Goose Creek in several seasons.
Ashley Ridge always seems to sneak up on opponents, but they have been blown out in their two losses this year. Goose Creek is heading into the meat of their schedule, with region play starting next week. This game could be closer than we think, but Goose Creek has a lot of firepower.
Stratford (3-2) at Summerville (4-2): Stratford and Summerville. One of the best rivalries in the state. It has been since the beginning of Stratford in the early 1980s. This year though, Joe Marion is on the Stratford sideline instead of Ray Stackley. Stratford gutted out their game against Hanahan last week with three Tyler Tekac FGs. Tekac is a experienced kicker, which is big in a high school game. This week, Summerville has to defend Jameson Mobbs and Stratford well in their last tune-up before region. That will be the key in the game.
It is also the television game this week, and will air on MyTV Charleston.
Bluffton (3-3) at Wando (3-2): Bluffton makes the long trip to Wando for the Warriors homecoming. Homecoming at Wando usually gets one of the biggest high school football crowds in the Lowcountry. They routinely get 4-5K for regular games, and probably will be over 6K this week. Wando has to bounce back from last week's game quickly. No one expected them to be shut out on their home field like they were.
Bluffton lost at home Hilton Head, even though Hilton Head went for it on 4th down late in the 4th quarter inside their own 30 yard line and did not get it, giving the Bobcats a huge chance to win the ball game. They did not succeed though, and lost 12-7. Bluffton has a bye week after this game before they finally start region play October 17 at Ashley Ridge, while Wando gets right into the gauntlet of their schedule, traveling to West Ashley before hosting Stratford and Goose Creek after this one.
West Ashley (2-3) at Fort Dorchester (5-1) (7pm): West Ashley has fallen on some hard times lately, losing three games in a row after starting 2-0. They lost on their homecoming last week, only scoring on a fumble return in the 1st quarter. Fort Dorchester cannot look ahead to next week's mega-game against Summerville, which will probably determine the Region 8-4A title. Fort Dorchester has a lot of weapons, and they need to use them wisely in this one.
Kareon Joyner, Kobe Garrett, and Dwayne Pierce (DE who just got a offer from Holy Cross) need to lead the Patriot charge in order for them to earn a big win over a reeling Wildcat team.
South Aiken (2-3) at Colleton County (3-3): A inter-region battle in Walterboro Friday night, as an Aiken-area team, South Aiken, makes the trip to the Lowcountry to play Colleton County. Colleton County, amazingly, has just two home games left (this week and next week against Ashley Ridge). The Cougars have a chance to improve to a winning record with a win here.
South Aiken's two wins come over Glenn Hills of Augusta and Strom Thurmond. The Thoroughbreds have one of the most unique names of any football team I've seen: D'njaee Whosendove. He's only a sophomore at WR, and in their last game, had five catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns. You'll be hearing a lot about him in the next three seasons.
3A:
St. James (2-3) at Georgetown (4-1): Georgetown opens region play with a game against rival St. James. Georgetown suffered their first loss of the year last week, 20-3 at home against Loris. Georgetown needs to improve from that performance in region play in order to get a good seed in the playoffs and perhaps host some games.
Berkeley (1-4) at Beaufort (3-2): A battle between two of the most well-known posters on PFT, BEAUFORTEAGLESFAN AND CITYSLICKER. Berkeley badly needs a win here. Falling to 1-4 with a loss at Timberland is tough. A loss in this game, falling to 1-5, would ensure a non-winning season, this time for the fourth straight year. Jeff Cruce has had some tough times this year; a win in his first region game would help him greatly.
Beaufort only has four home games all season; starting out with four of their first five on the road. To go 3-2 in these games with a reduced roster is an accomplishment. They can start region play on the right foot with a win here, as this game will be important for playoff positioning. With five region games, three wins are likely needed for an automatic playoff spot.
Hilton Head (4-1) at Hanahan (2-3) (6pm): Homecoming at Hanahan as the Hawks open up region play with Hilton Head, who has challenged them in the last several seasons. This game has been moved to 6pm from 7:30 because of the weather. Hilton Head started off fast due to playing some weak opponents (which they are required to play under new Beaufort County rules where all public schools, no matter the class, play each other). Hanahan, on the other hand, has already played 4A schools Stratford, Cane Bay and James Island, all much improved.
This is a barometer game for both. Hanahan looks to hold serve on their home field, while Hilton Head makes a long road trip to the Charleston area to test themselves. The Seahawks close with two home region games, so if they can get a win Friday night, they will be in a good position to snag an automatic spot.
Stall (1-4) at Orangeburg-Wilkinson (5-0): Yet another homecoming game, this time at Orangeburg-Wilkinson, as the undefeated Bruins host a Stall team who has gone through some tough times. Joe Bessinger has performed much better as head coach this year, but with lower numbers, it is tougher to bring up a program that hasn't had a good modicum of success recently. O-W on the other hand gave up their most points of the year last week (20). They only gave up 16 for the season before that. This will be a tough one for the Warriors.
2A:
Woodland (2-3) at Edisto (0-5): Woodland has had a tough time this season, only winning twice, even with new Georgia commit Michael Barnett. He switched from Florida State to Georgia last Friday. The Wolverines this week travel to 0-5 Edisto, who have scored just 42 points all season, with their max total 14 last week at home against Brookland-Cayce.
North Charleston (2-3) at Academic Magnet (4-1): Yet another homecoming game, with more region play going on; the Raptors have been a surprise this year, even after losing their RB Stuart Walters two seasons ago. Nate Schlosser ran for another 142 yards last week; he is averaging over 225 yards rushing in the last four games. North Charleston has improved, winning last week against Baptist Hill.
Garrett (4-1) at Battery Creek (1-4): Battery Creek has had a tough season so far, with their only win a forfeit as Bluffton had an ineligible player. They start region play with a surprising 4-1 Garrett team whose only loss is to a undefeated Allendale-Fairfax side.
Bishop England (0-5) at Whale Branch (1-4): Region play starts for these teams as Bishop England is still hoping to get their first win of the year. They haven't been 0-5 since way back in 1997. With so many young players, Coach John Cantey has had to coach them in-game and make them better. Last week, they nearly pulled a win off at James Island, leading into the final five minutes. The real season starts for them this week. Whale Branch blew out Windsor Forest 42-7 last week.
Andrews (2-3) at Lee Central (1-4): Andrews makes the long trip to Bishopville for their first region game, a battle against Lee Central. They won last week at Timmonsville; Timmonsville just had their starting QB, Shykell Jackson, charged with armed robbery on Monday.
Timberland (5-0) at Kingstree (3-2): Timberland heads up Highway 52 to Kingstree Friday night to face a Jaguars team that has won all three road games so far this year, but lost their two games at home. Timberland got a big win last week against Berkeley (with Andy Demetra calling it), and they hope to continue their hot streak.
Waccamaw (3-2) at Mullins (3-2): A battle of 3-2 teams as Waccamaw travels to Mullins to open up their region play.
1A:
Branchville (3-2) at Estill (5-0): Branchville has their first winning record since they started back their football program; they have a tough task ahead of them in undefeated Estill. All but one of Estill's games have been within six points or less.
Baptist Hill (0-5) at St. John's (2-3): Region opener on John's Island for both teams. St. John's had a week off last week; Baptist Hill finally broke single digits in their loss to North Charleston.
Cross (2-3) vs. Burke (0-5) (Ravenel Stadium): Winless Burke hopes to get off the snide in region play as they host 2-3 Cross. This game has been moved from Stoney Field to Ravenel Stadium because of the rain threat.
Lincoln (2-3) at Military Magnet (2-3): Lincoln is 2-1 at home this season, 0-2 on the road; Military Magnet is 0-2 at home, 2-1 on the road. Something has to give in this region battle.
SCISA:
Hilton Head Prep (3-2, 1-1) at Colleton Prep (4-1, 1-0): A region battle in Walterboro; Hilton Head Prep lost their homecoming last week by one to Curtis Baptist of Augusta. CP won at St. Andrew's.
First Baptist (0-5, 0-2) at Bethesda (GA) (1-4, 0-1): First Baptist still looking their first win of the year, heads to Savannah to face a Bethesda team that lost 67-54 last week.
Hilton Head Christian (3-2, 2-1) vs. Palmetto Christian (0-5, 0-0) (Town Hall Field): Palmetto Christian's Chris Shimakonis will be back this week after his injury suffered on the field, and they are in a need for a win. Hilton Head Christian is 3-2.
Northwood Academy (5-0, 1-0) at St. Andrew's (1-4, 1-0): St. Andrew's only has one win on year, over winless First Baptist, while Northwood is one of best SCISA teams in state.
Pinewood Prep (3-3, 1-2) at Augusta Christian (4-2, 1-2): Pinewood Prep got a win last week at Heathwood Hall 14-7, they hope to start a winning streak in Augusta.
Porter-Gaud (3-3, 1-2) at Heathwood Hall (2-3, 1-3): Porter-Gaud lost last week in a heartbreaker 35-34 to Ben Lippen. They hope to bounce back at Heathwood Hall.
8-Man: Charleston Collegiate (1-4, 1-2) at Beaufort Academy (1-4, 1-3): CC lost last week against St. John's Christian, while Beaufort lost at home to Cathedral Academy.
Cathedral Academy (3-2, 3-0) at Patrick Henry (5-1, 4-0): A battle of teams perfect in their regions. Probably best game of the night in the state in 8-Man.
St. John's Christian (3-2, 3-1) at Faith Christian (4-2, 3-0): Faith Christian boasts the leading rusher in the state, Alex North. He has 1,172 yards and 14 TDs, averaging 195 yards/game.
James Island Christian (1-4, 1-3) at Ridge Christian (1-5, 0-3) (3:30pm): James Island Christian got their first win last week, 58-34 over Coastal Christian, while Ridge lost at Patrick Henry. A good Friday appetizer.
And there we have it for this week. Hope the weather holds out and enjoy the games!
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