Beaufort Academy knew Mark Clifford would build a winning program when it hired him, but envisioning this would have been bold.
The Eagles will play for a state championship in Clifford’s first season at the helm after a 40-30 win at Jefferson Davis Academy on Friday. BA (9-2) will face perennial power Andrew Jackson Academy in the SCISA 8-Man championship game Friday at Calhoun Academy in St. Mathews.
BA quarterback Dawson Coleman had a big night with 152 rushing yards and three touchdowns and went 4-for-6 for 70 yards and touchdown. De’Shaun Epps added 92 yards and a TD on the ground and caught a touchdown pass.
Edward McCormick anchored the Eagles’ defense with 11 tackles and forced and recovered a fumble on punt return, and he added two 2-point conversions.
The Eagles earned a rematch with Andrew Jackson, which handed the Eagles their most recent loss, 40-28 on Oct. 5. The Confederates have won 48 consecutive games dating to 2014 and have won three consecutive state titles.