Another week of high school football is in the books, and it might have been the most exciting one yet this season. We saw a captivating rivalry game, a shocker in a first-place region showdown, and a bunch of phenomenal individual performances. Let’s take a look around the Lowco and see what we learned in Week 8.
• BJ Payne’s defense impressed in a big Bridge Bowl win.
Hilton Head High faced a tall task in this year’s Bridge Bowl: stop a talented Max Vonhohenstraeten-led Bluffton passing offense. Thanks to another phenomenal performance from Matthew Larkby and company, the Seahawks got the job done. Payne’s stellar pass rush could not be contained Friday night, frustrating the Bobcat signal-callers and forcing three fumbles and an interception. Larkby was busy in the backfield for the second straight week, making six tackles while forcing and recovering a fumble. Junior KJ Holland was terrific at linebacker with eight tackles and a fumble recovery, and Jaylen Sneed complemented his dazzling abilities on offense with four tackles and a sack. It was a game to remember for Carter Saleeby, who snagged the game-clinching interception in the fourth quarter after drilling three field goals to help give his Seahawks the rivalry win. We knew that Sneed would be a difference-maker on both sides, but several others stepped up with the Notre Dame commit to help shut down the Bobcats and move into a tie for second in Region 7-4A. With Larkby’s impressive strength and motor combined with the explosiveness of Jaylen Sneed and the terrific effort of Chris Marable, Holland, and Saleeby, Hilton Head’s defense has cemented the Seahawks as a top-half region contender.
• The May River Sharks are for real.
Headlined by another incredible game from Garvin Douglas, the Sharks went into Beaufort and stunned the two-time defending Region 7-4A champs. Douglas and a dialed-in Shark offensive line dominated Beaufort’s standout defense, as the senior stud put together an unthinkable third-straight 200-yard rushing game. But the big surprise was Rodney Summers’ defense stymieing an explosive Eagle passing attack. Jaeon Allen and Darrion Perry excelled in pass coverage against Beaufort’s loaded tandem of wide receivers, and a hungry group of Sharks forced a big fumble late before stuffing Tyler Haley at midfield to snag first place in the region. I didn’t think Douglas could replicate Ahmad Green’s success, but the new phenom has done it, and he is making a case to be considered the Lowco’s most valuable offensive player. Sparked by a young defense that continues to deliver in the biggest moments, the Sharks are looking like a top-10 4A team and will be an incredibly tough out in the postseason.
• It’s been a fun season in Sea Pines for Hilton Head Prep.
With Carson King and Tommy Stauffer lost to graduation, the Hilton Head Prep Dolphins had a lot to replace this year on both sides of the ball. But transfer Jake Rodney-Brown and standout junior Loncelle Daley have elevated this Dolphin team well past our expectations. Now with a stellar record of 6-2, Hilton Head Prep has locked down a postseason berth and is now eying a potential No.2 seed and home playoff game. Daley has been the catalyst in the backfield, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark this Friday against Northwood Academy. Senior Tristan Bonomo is doing it all for the Dolphins, excelling in his first season at quarterback while providing a terrific veteran presence at defensive end. Rodney-Brown has been a monster at linebacker, and both AJ Barger and Sean Graham have helped the pass defense make major strides. And don’t forget about Trevor Weldon, who has dazzled at kicker and punter and should be an important factor down the stretch. They may only have 20 on the roster, but Dave Adams and the Dolphins have made the most of their talent to reach the program’s first six-win season since 2015.
• We should be in for a fantastic SCISA 2A region title bout next week.
I don’t think anyone in the Lowco can stop Hilton Head Christian Academy, but Beaufort Academy could give the high-flying Eagles a solid challenge on Friday night. It should be an electric atmosphere in Bluffton to decide the region champion, as Jace Blackshear and the Eagles look to keep their scorching offense rolling. Beaufort Academy has the horses to keep up with its talented run game, and Mark Clifford should have his full complement of running backs at his disposal to attack a dominant Junkyard Dog defense. But BA will need to make some plays on the other side of the ball to slow down Blackshear, Speedy Robinson, and a host of weapons in the passing game. Beaufort Academy will need to put together a flawless performance to shock the defending state champs, but the opportunity is there for Clifford in just his program’s second season of 11-man football.
• It’s great to see a proactive approach during a season of COVID uncertainty.
The COVID-19 pandemic is still a threat despite falling case numbers, and it continues to make an impact on this high school football season. After a positive test within the team, Battery Creek had to call off its contest with Bishop England, which was set for this past week. Fortunately for the Dolphins, the S.C. High School League ruled that no team would be forced to suffer a forfeit due to COVID-19 protocols, so although the game won’t be made up, it won’t ding the Dolphins in the region standings. That means Battery Creek can clinch a playoff spot with a win over North Charleston in the regular-season finale, and even with losses the next two weeks — assuming the Dolphins avoid a major outbreak — Creek will have a shot at qualifying for the playoffs via pre-determined tiebreaker procedures designed for just this purpose. It’s not ideal, but it’s preferable to penalizing a team with a forfeit for making a responsible decision in the interest of public health.
We’re only two weeks away from the postseason, and there’s still much more to be decided as the playoff picture begins to take shape. With a region title game on tap alongside a couple key seeding battles in the SCHSL ranks, the intense action should keep rolling in Week 9.
By Wes Kerr
