In case you were wondering whether we’ve reached the heart of the high school football season — and that chill in the air might have been a clue — check out what’s at stake during Week 8 under the Friday Night Lights.
At least one region title and another playoff spot are likely to be decided by tonight’s outcomes, and a couple other contests have playoff seeding implications. Heck, even the non-region matchups tonight are awfully intriguing.
If you don’t have a rooting interest, you could pick almost any one of the games on tonight’s slate and get your money’s worth. (The one exception might be Beaufort Academy, where the Eagles should win easily, allowing you to spend more time waiting in line for freshly fried shrimp and oysters, so still a pretty solid investment.)
At any rate, it’s shaping up to be a great night for high school football in the Lowcountry. Here is your Week 8 primer:
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LOWCOSPORTS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK
Thomas Heyward (7-1, 2-0) at Bethesda Academy (5-1, 2-0)
In all likelihood, the region championship and the clearest path to the SCISA 1A state title game are on the line tonight in Savannah.
The Rebels are still ranked No. 1 and have to be considered the favorites to repeat as state champs, but they have been shown to be beatable the past two weeks, losing to Trinity-Byrnes and getting off to a sluggish start in a 36-14 win at Spartanburg Christian. Falling in an early hole again this week could be disastrous, because they don’t want to be playing catch-up against a team with as much offensive firepower as the Blazers.
Bethesda averages 52 points per game and has a dynamic backfield pairing in quarterback Antjuan McKay and running back Jaden Wright, who has piled up more than 1,300 yards from scrimmage.
The Rebels also have their share of weapons, though, and leading rusher JR Patterson (857 yards) should be back from injury after sitting out last week. The Blazers are one of few teams with the athletes to match up with the Rebels, but THA should have an edge in the trenches.
Prediction: Thomas Heyward 43, Bethesda Academy 36
May River (6-0) at Beaufort High (1-5)
After picking up their first win of the season with a 35-24 victory over Bluffton last week, the Eagles return to their brutal schedule with a visit from undefeated May River, the No. 4 team in Class 3A.
The Sharks haven’t really been challenged yet — their closest game was a 31-6 win over Colleton County — but this could be their toughest test yet. May River’s offensive line has been dominant but will have a tough task against Beaufort’s defensive front. The Eagles have been hurt by strong ground games, though, and May River certainly qualifies with quarterback Ahmad Green and several capable running backs working behind a technically sound offensive line.
Beaufort found something on offense last week with backup Daniel Phares running the option with James Dagin and Amariee Morris, and even if regular starter Tyler Haley is able to return from his shoulder injury, the Eagles are prepared to use both situationally. That makes preparation more difficult for the Sharks, but their coaching staff does outstanding work with schemes. May River’s defense is strong enough at all three levels and plays disciplined enough on defense to be capable of slowing down whatever the Eagles throw at them.
Prediction: May River 34, Beaufort High 21
Hilton Head High (3-3, 0-0) at Colleton County (2-4, 0-0)
Part II of Chapter 1 of the Region 7-4A round robin will help establish the favorites for the region title. The Seahawks have the benefit of coming off a bye week, which is especially important for a team that is so short on depth. Hilton Head High should be at full strength, while the Cougars earned some bumps and bruises in a 49-12 loss to Georgia power Camden County last week. Colleton County put up a good fight for a half against May River, and every coach who watches film on the Cougars marvels at their size and speed, so they will be a formidable opponent. Hilton Head High’s offense seems to have turned the corner after some early stumbles, and if the Seahawks can load up to stop the run and force the Cougars to the air, Hilton Head High’s talented secondary should be able to slow down Colleton County.
Prediction: Hilton Head High 28, Colleton County 20
Battery Creek (2-3, 1-1) at Ridgeland-Hardeeville (1-5, 0-1)
These teams are going in opposite directions as they move into the meat of the Region 8-3A schedule, as the Dolphins are riding a two-game winning streak while the Jaguars have lost four straight and desperately need to stop the bleeding. Battery Creek’s resurgence has been led by a powerful rushing attack and a strong defense. The Dolphins have had multiple 100-yard rushers in back to back games — Tre Booth in both games, and Jaeon Allen and Jacove Anderson in one each — and the Jags have had trouble stopping the run. Even during its three-game losing streak to start the season, Battery Creek’s defense played respectably but was hurt by poor field position caused by turnovers. RHHS has a solid offensive line and some dangerous skill position players, but the Jags have to cut down on penalties and turnovers to have a chance at grabbing the win and clinching a playoff spot. The Jags haven’t had much success passing the ball, so Battery Creek is likely to load up to stop the run and hope Antonio Chaneyfield doesn’t beat them deep.
Prediction: Battery Creek 33, Ridgeland-Hardeeville 23
Allendale-Fairfax (3-4, 0-2) at Whale Branch (4-2, 0-2)
After opening Region 5-2A play with losses to two ranked teams, the Warriors finally get a break, but it’s not much of one. The Tigers also opened region play with two ranked foes, so they’re in an equally desperate situation. The reality is the winner of this matchup essentially clinches a playoff spot, while the loser is probably staying home. Whale Branch coach Jerry Hatcher was not pleased with his team’s effort in last week’s 49-6 loss to Barnwell, so you better believe the Warriors put in extra work this week. Allendale-Fairfax has been fairly tough against the run, so Whale Branch will need some hard running from quarterback Jaylen Reeves and running backs De’Arius Hazel and Jadon Grant. The Warriors’ defense will also need to bounce back after being run over by No. 2 Barnwell last week.
Prediction: Whale Branch 29, Allendale-Fairfax 20
Colleton Prep (4-3) at Hilton Head Christian Academy (6-1)
These sorts of matchups happen often in SCISA — the traditional, physical team vs. the modernized spread offense — and they’re always fascinating. Colleton Prep is tough in the trenches and is the type of team that can give the Eagles problems, but so was Orangeburg Prep, and HHCA didn’t have much trouble last week. The Warhawks are going to try to run the ball and control the clock in an effort to keep HHCA’s high-powered offense off the field, and they might have enough success to keep the game close. Colleton Prep will have to get stops to win, though, and with Hayden Shinn slinging the ball around to a huge collection of dynamic receivers — including the past two RBC Heritage Players of the Week in Daniel Harrington and JP Peduzzi — the Warhawks won’t be able to do enough on defense.
Prediction: Hilton Head Christian Academy 41, Colleton Prep 27
Hilton Head Prep (2-5) at Dorchester Academy (3-3)
The Dolphins have lost two straight and five of their last six, and now they face a road trip to take on a hard-nosed Dorchester Academy team in a non-region game. Both teams have been banged up by difficult schedules, and neither has the depth to be able to afford it. The Dolphins should be able to move the ball, but they’ll need to take care of it and put points on the board when given the opportunity. The Raiders’ offense has trended in the wrong direction the past couple of games, but the Dolphins’ defense also has struggled of late, so this one could be a high-scoring affair.
Prediction: Hilton Head Prep 35, Dorchester Academy 33
Cathedral Academy (0-6, 0-3) at Beaufort Academy (1-5, 1-3)
It has been a tough season for the defending SCISA 8-man champion Eagles, but the back end of their region schedule is more favorable, starting with a visit from winless Cathedral Academy. The Generals have been outscored 332-20 in six games, and their closest game was a 50-14 loss to a Northside Christian team that BA beat 54-6. In other words, if the Eagles do what they’re supposed to do, this one should get out of hand early and they can get some of their key players out of the game to keep them fresh for the stretch run.
Prediction: Beaufort Academy 56, Cathedral Academy 6
Last week: 7-2
Season: 56-10