Bluffton clinched the Region 7-4A title with a 34-31 win at Colleton County on Friday.
Lee Kirkland and Shamar Sandgren connected for a pair of second-half touchdowns to help the Bobcats hold off the Cougars.
John Swinton’s 24-yard touchdown run and Jordan Murray’s strip and fumble return for a score gave the Bobcats an early 14-0 lead. The Cougars answered with a kickoff return for a touchdown and forced a fumble to set up a second quick score to pull even at 14 at halftime.
Kylan Simmons broke a touchdown run to put the Bobcats back on top, and after a Colleton County field goal made it 21-17, Kirkland hit Sandgren for an 80-yard TD to extend the lead to 27-17.
The Cougars pulled within 27-23, but Kirkland and Sandgren hooked up again for a 7-yard score, and the Bobcats held on.
Bluffton (4-4, 2-0) hosts Hilton Head High next week in its regular-season finale.
Photo by Jim Killian Photography