High school football season is underway in the Lowco! The original slate of 10 games on the schedule was down to seven by kickoff, but eight area teams started their seasons Friday night.
We’ll have full recaps of every game and photos and video from several matchups later, but here’s your first look at the action from around the area.
Hilton Head Prep 38, John Paul II 16: Loncelle Daley rushed for 237 yards and two touchdowns, and Jake Rodney-Brown added two touchdown runs and took part in three turnovers on defense as the Dolphins put on an impressive performance in their opener. Christian Tilton rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown, and Jackson Ogden added a TD run for JPII.
Beaufort 28, Richmond Hill 8: Amariee Morris rushed for two touchdowns, Tyler Haley added another, and Zach Talbert returned a fumble 54 yards for a score to cap off a dominant defensive outing as the Eagles took down a strong Georgia program in their opener, which was the WSAV Blitz Game of the Week.
May River 34, Orangeburg-Wilkinson 33: Garvin Douglas rushed for three touchdowns and threw another, and the Sharks’ inexperienced defense came up big down the stretch, stopping a two-point conversion to preserve the lead and making a final stand to secure the win in a wild opener at The Tank.
Whale Branch 54, Calhoun County 50: Joseph Hicks scored six touchdowns, including a 66-yard kickoff return that gave the Warriors the lead with 1:26 left, as Whale Branch overcame an 18-point deficit in the second half to win a wild game with visiting Calhoun County. Keith Chisholm also returned a kickoff for a touchdown, and the Warriors stopped the Saints inside the 5 to seal it.
Hilton Head Christian Academy 54, The King’s Academy 23: Jace Blackshear threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another score, and Joseph Robinson had two long touchdown runs and took a punt return back for a TD in his Eagles debut as defending SCISA 2A champion HHCA built a 54-0 halftime lead before letting off the gas.
South Florence 49, Bluffton 7: Camauri Simmons broke off an 80-yard kick return touchdown, but that was one of few highlights for the Bobcats, who couldn’t contain Virginia commit Lanorri Sellers and the Bruins.
