It’s half the Week 2 of the high school football season we thought it was. A slate of 10 games dwindled to five as the week wore on, and with contact tracing now a regular part of our vocabulary, there’s no guarantee they’ll all make it to kickoff. What’s that? Make that four.
The carousel of cancellations continued into Friday, with John Paul II’s home game against St. Andrew’s getting chopped due to COVID-19 protocols at the end of a week in which Bluffton, Colleton County, Ridgeland-Hardeeville, and Beaufort Academy had already had their games scrapped, not to mention Whale Branch, which lined up five different opponents this week, only to see each bow out after the other.
Truly, we are in unprecedented times, and we can’t take the games we get to play for granted. There are four on the slate, for now, so let’s get ready for kickoff with the LowcoSports Week 2 primer.
Hilton Head (0-0) at Lower Richland (2-0)
For the first time in 2021, Jaylen Sneed and a promising Seahawk squad will take to the field. They’ll get a strong challenge right out of the gate, as BJ Payne’s group travels to Lower Richland to take on an unbeaten Diamond Hornets side for the first of five straight on the road. It will also be the first start for sophomore quarterback Jackson Bibee, who will be tested immediately against a defense that has surrendered just seven points in each of its first two games.
Bibee will be counted on to manage the game and get the ball in the hands of the Seahawks’ explosive playmakers, including power running back Chase McCracken and electric receiver Jayden Gilliam, who has become an end zone threat from anywhere on the field. If trusty offensive lineman Ryan Clark can lead the way against a solid Diamond Hornet front, it will open some lanes for the two stars alongside Sneed, who could see some time under center in a wildcat look.
Lower Richland’s offense has been stellar to begin the season, and quarterback Robert Adams is playing inspired football after tragically losing his father in a car accident. Jeremy Barney is a strong running back who can overwhelm defensive lines, and Nate Branch is a deep receiving threat for a high-powered offense. The Seahawks have the best linebacker in the Lowco and arguably the state in Sneed, and he should make a monster impact to lead an inexperienced unit into the new season.
Lower Richland may look to attack a secondary with several new faces, but Gilliam is more than capable of coming up with some key plays and maybe even a turnover. If the Seahawk defense can make a big stop, it will be imperative for the offense to cash in on scoring opportunities. A mistake-free game from Bibee and a solid job from the line could give the Seahawks a chance against an impressive 3A squad. — Wes Kerr
PREDICTION
WK: Lower Richland 33, Hilton Head High 16
JJ: Lower Richland 27, Hilton Head High 14
Benedictine (0-1) at Beaufort High (2-0)
After two straight wins against Peach State opponents to start the season, the Eagles face an even tougher border battle when they host Benedictine on Friday.
Beaufort’s dominant front four led by Eamon Smalls and Alvin Wilson shut down Richmond Hill and its powerful run game and put relentless pressure on the Rebels to disrupt their pass-happy offense, but here comes Benedictine and quarterback Holden Geriner, a four-star recruit who has committed to Auburn. Geriner is surrounded by athletes who can make things happen on the ground and through the air, so this is by far the toughest test of the year for the Eagles’ awesome defense.
While all eyes have been on the defense, the Eagle offense is starting to settle in and play consistent football. After being limited to a 47-yard Joe Caprarola field goal in the first half last week, Beaufort put up three touchdowns in the second half, including a 65-yard TD pass from Tyler Haley to basketball star Zyrin Odom, who is developing into a major receiving threat. Running back Amariee Morris was stymied by the Rebels, so he will look to get back on track Friday against a talented Benedictine defense.
The only touchdown the Eagles have allowed this season came on a kickoff return against Richmond Hill, but the special teams was more sound last week and will need to show more of the same. One big play on special teams could swing the balance of a heavyweight fight that is likely to go down to the wire. — Mike Roark
PREDICTION
WK: Beaufort High 30, Benedictine 28
JJ: Beaufort High 30, Benedictine 27
Dorchester Academy (0-1) at Thomas Heyward (1-0)
After blasting Class 3A Battery Creek 44-3 on the road last week, the two-time defending SCISA 2A champion Rebels will make their home debut Friday when they host region rival Dorchester Academy.
THA showed off a balanced and impressive offense in its rout of the Dolphins, as freshman quarterback Dietrich Shuford passed for 127 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 63 yards and a score and the Rebels rolled up 411 yards of total offense on 40 plays. That’s bad news for a Dorchester defense that was torched in a 52-21 loss to Hilton Head Christian Academy last week. The Raiders will have a tough time containing a THA offense that is loaded with weapons.
The Rebels’ defense was equally impressive, doing an outstanding job of controlling the line of scrimmage and getting pressure in the backfield to shut down Battery Creek’s ground game and harass quarterback Will White. THA should have the edge in the trenches again, and versatile linebacker Brandon Howard and an excellent secondary led by James Townsend and Jordan Mikell should be able to limit the big plays from a dangerous Dorchester offense led by brothers Hunter and Haden Hartzog and running back Ben Singletary.
The Rebels will have the clear edge, and as long as they take care of the ball and avoid careless penalties, they should roll through their first region game. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
WK: Thomas Heyward 46, Dorchester Academy 6
JJ: Thomas Heyward 47, Dorchester Academy 14
Northwood Academy (0-2) at Colleton Prep (0-2)
It hasn’t been the start that the Colleton Prep War Hawks wanted this season, but there’s a lot to be excited about for this group going forward. Senior quarterback Drew Murdaugh has been outstanding, using his elusiveness and strong mobility to pick up chunks of yards on the ground and continually frustrate opposing defenses. But the War Hawks have yet to put the ball in the end zone after two games due to a flurry of untimely miscues and penalties. The coaching staff has certainly worked with the offense to help fix these mistakes as Murdaugh’s group prepares for battle against Northwood Academy this Friday.
The Chargers have had a rough stretch the past few seasons, including a winless 2020 campaign. It’s an opportunity for the War Hawks to build on the strides they’ve made so far and put a first mark in the win column. Murdaugh should continue to get the bulk of the work on the ground after rushing for 108 yards against a strong Hilton Head Prep defense. Cole Davis is a versatile weapon who can effectively run the ball and thrive in the passing game. The offensive line has been fantastic, and it should continue against an inconsistent Northwood unit.
But the big star of the War Hawk side has been the defense, holding a loaded Dolphin attack to just a pair of Trevor Weldon field goals while shutting down Loncelle Daley, who ran for 237 yards the week prior. If the stellar line and the terrific tackling skills continue to show up, the War Hawks should have no problem stymieing the Chargers and picking up their first win of the year. — Wes Kerr
PREDICTION
WK: Colleton Prep 24, Northwood Academy 12
JJ: Colleton Prep 20, Northwood Academy 13
SEASON RECORDS
Wes Kerr: 13-0
Justin Jarrett: 8-5
Photo by Andrea Fabian
