It’s the final Friday in September, which means the time to raise the stakes is almost upon high school football teams throughout the state. In fact, it begins tonight for a few teams.
With October right around the corner, region play is ramping up, and a handful of teams face region foes tonight. For most, though, it’s one of the final chances to work some things out and tune up for the stretch run.
Speaking of which, I’m starting to hit my stride in my weekly picks. After going 6-2 in each of the first two weeks, I was 8-1 in Week 3 and a perfect 9-0 last week, bringing my season total to 30-5.
See what I’ve predicted for tonight in the Week 5 primer:
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Hilton Head Christian Academy (3-1) at Dorchester Academy (3-1)
This is an interesting matchup, pitting Dorchester’s throwback, hard-nosed style against HHCA’s modern, pass-happy offense. The Raiders have beaten up on people, with their only loss coming to SCISA 1A No. 2 Carolina Academy in a four-point game. They like to pound the ball on the ground and will try to control possession and keep HHCA’s high-flying offense off the field. The Eagles will have to be disciplined on defense and avoid giving up big plays and third-down conversions to give quarterback Hayden Shinn and Co. opportunities to exploit a defense that hasn’t faced an offense quite like HHCA’s.
Prediction: Hilton Head Christian Academy 28, Dorchester Academy 20
Blythewood (3-2) at Beaufort High (0-3)
The Eagles finally make their home debut more than a month into the season, and it’s another tough matchup. Blythewood also has faced a difficult schedule but has knocked off some strong teams. The Bengals are coming off a 49-13 loss to Class 5A No. 1 Dutch Fork, though, so it could be a good time for the Eagles to catch them. Beaufort is making strides and should be competitive when region play rolls around, but it might be another long night.
Prediction: Blythewood 27, Beaufort High 20
Sumter (4-0) at Bluffton (1-3)
See above regarding Beaufort’s schedule. The Bobcats continue their brutal non-region slate with a visit from the No. 7 team in Class 5A. Bluffton put up a good fight for a half last week at Class 4A No. 6 Hartsville, but this is an even tougher challenge. The Gamecocks boast a solid, balanced offense and an absolutely nasty defense that has allowed only 23 points through four games — and 21 of them came in a season-opening win over Rock Hill. If you haven’t yet done the math, that means the Gamecocks have allowed two points in the past three games, including back-to-back shutouts of Lakewood and Northwestern. The Bobcats have enough offensive firepower to avoid a shutout, but it will be tough for them to keep pace.
Prediction: Sumter 42, Bluffton 14
Colleton County (1-3) at Ridgeland-Hardeeville (1-3)
Both the Cougars and Jaguars could use a win in this matchup of teams whose records are not indicative of their ability. Both teams have enough talent to finish in the top half of their region, and a win tonight might help propel them in that direction. Colleton County played May River tough for a half last week but had a tough time stopping the run, while the Jags have lost two straight and are looking to bounce back from their worst performance of the season. The team that wins the turnover battle should have a good chance to grab the W.
Prediction: Colleton County 30, Ridgeland-Hardeeville 23
Hilton Head High (2-2) at Christ Church (3-2)
Which Seahawks team shows up tonight in Greenville — the one that has looked utterly dominant in two wins or the one that fell flat in two losses? (Sound familiar?) Hilton Head High is coming off an impressive 38-6 win over Ridgeland-Hardeeville last week and is at full strength, so odds are good it’s the former. The Cavaliers are a capable offensive team, but they like to sling it around and the Seahawks’ secondary is stout. Hilton Head High should be able to move the ball at will and make the long trip home with a W.
Prediction: Hilton Head High 37, Christ Church 20
Battery Creek (0-2) at Wade Hampton (4-1)
The Dolphins open region play with a substantial challenge, traveling to Wade Hampton for the Red Devils’ homecoming game. Battery Creek’s offense has struggled mightily and has yet to find the end zone — the Dolphins’ two touchdowns have come on a kickoff return and a defensive score — and that won’t get the job done against the Red Devils. Wade Hampton’s power running game is led by Deshareoh Williams, who has racked up 700 yards and 13 TDs in five games, and although Battery Creek’s defense has played well, the Dolphins will have a tough time slowing the Red Devils down enough to keep pace.
Prediction: Wade Hampton 34, Battery Creek 13
May River (3-0) at Burke (1-3)
The Sharks got their biggest challenge yet last week … and still won by 25. There are tougher tests ahead for May River, but not tonight. The Bulldogs are coming off their first win of the season, a 46-0 rout of Charleston Math & Science, but they have not been competitive against quality opponents. May River should be able to build a big lead early and get its key players out of the game to keep them fresh for region play starting next week.
Prediction: May River 47, Burke 6
Philip Simmons (1-3) at Whale Branch (3-0)
The Warriors have been picking up steam as a number of players grow into bigger roles this season, and after a bye week they should be fresh and well-prepared tonight. Shifty quarterback Jaylen Reeves and bruising back De’Arius Hazel are turning into a tough tandem to handle in the backfield, and Whale Branch has played outstanding defense. The Iron Horses broke through for their first win last week, a 27-18 triumph at Hanahan, but they lack the offensive firepower to hand the Warriors their first loss.
Prediction: Whale Branch 20, Philip Simmons 13
Hilton Head Prep (1-3) at John Paul II (0-4)
Talk about two teams in need of a win. The Dolphins came awfully close last week, giving a gritty effort before letting Orangeburg Prep escape with a 13-8 victory. HHP has had to lean on its defense with star quarterback Stone McDonald and backup Sam Liberatore both sidelined with injuries, and the defense stepped up big time last week. JPII is still looking for its first win after a disastrous first quarter led to a 59-12 loss at Bethesda Academy last week. The Golden Warriors have started putting things together on offense, but the defense still has work to do.
Prediction: Hilton Head Prep 20, John Paul II 13
Thomas Heyward (4-0) at Northwood Academy (1-2)
The Rebels have been beating people’s doors off, and there’s a good chance that continues tonight. Granted, the Chargers have had a weird season — weirder than most, even — and were playing for the first time in three weeks when they were blanked 27-0 at Colleton Prep last week. The Warhawks gashed Northwood on the ground, and the Rebels should be able to do the same with the 1-2 punch of JR Patterson and John Clark Tilton running behind a powerful offensive line, and THA’s defense shouldn’t have much trouble slowing down the Chargers.
Prediction: Thomas Heyward 43, Northwood Academy 7
Northside Christian (0-2) at Beaufort Academy (0-3)
It has been tough sledding for the Eagles in their SCISA 8-man state title defense, but they finally catch a break this week. The Crusaders are also in search of their first win, and they’ve given up 50 or more points in each of their first two contests. This should be a great opportunity for BA’s offense to get going and lead the Eagles into the W column.
Prediction: Beaufort Academy 37, Northside Christian 23