It looked like the lopsided results in the Hometown Showdown might give way to a slugfest Friday night, and it would all hinge on the play in the trenches.
The May River Sharks won that battle, dominating the line of scrimmage to roll up over 300 rushing yards while shutting down the rival Bluffton Bobcats for a 30-3 road win that keeps them unbeaten in region play.
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Garvin Douglas continued his incredible play, rushing 27 times for 204 yards and two touchdowns after starting the game with a bang — a 71-yard strike over the top to Jaeon Allen on a flea flicker to put the Sharks in the end zone on the first play from scrimmage.
The bomb set the tone, but May River’s defense dug in and helped the Sharks win the field position battle all night long, with the aid of a litany of Bobcat penalties.
Bluffton put up 55 points — including 49 in the second half — last week at Colleton County, but the Bobcats’ spread offense couldn’t muster the same magic this time. After throwing for 377 yards and six touchdown passes a week ago, Max Vonhohenstraeten was frustrated Friday, going 15-of-29 for 116 yards as the Sharks pestered him in the backfield all night and sacked him six times.
Douglas added a 20-yard touchdown run before halftime, and the Bobcats drove to the 1 before settling for a 27-yard Evan Priester field goal to pull within 14-3 at the break.
One of many ill-timed penalties erased a promising kick return to start the second half and put the Bobcats at their own 10 to start, and the Sharks brought Vonhohenstraeten down in the end zone for a safety. With a short field following the free kick, Douglas went to work and added to the lead with a 24-yard touchdown run. Cam Scott added a 24-yard TD in the fourth quarter to put it out of reach.
The Sharks (5-2, 2-0) travel to Beaufort High next week for a pivotal matchup that is likely to decide the region title. The Bobcats (2-4, 1-1) head to Hilton Head High for the Bridge Bowl in a matchup that carries heavy playoff implications.
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