It seems just yesterday we were gearing up for opening night of the 2021 high school football season. Every team held out hope of achieving its goals — whether that meant making the playoffs or claiming a(nother) state title — and as we arrive at the final Friday night of the regular slate, many Lowco squads are making their final preparation for what figures to be a long postseason run, while others are still hoping to punch their tickets to the dance.
We have a solid nine-game slate lined up for Week 10, including a quartet of Lowco-on-Lowco battles that include rivalry grudge matches and a high-stakes clash with major playoff implications.
It should be fun, so if you’re out at a game we’re not at, keep us posted on ScoreStream or Twitter (@LowcoSports). Now, let’s get ready for one last regular-season kickoff in 2021. Here’s your Week 10 primer.
May River (7-2, 4-0) at Hilton Head (3-5, 2-2)
It may not be the region-title clash we were hoping for a week ago, but there’s still plenty of intrigue as Hilton Head High and May River meet for the first time since 2019.
The newly-crowned Region 7-4A champion Sharks have rolled in the second half of the season and will look to claim their sixth straight victory Friday against a Seahawk squad without superstar two-way player Jaylen Sneed. His absence will be a massive blow on both sides of the ball, as the Notre Dame commit and 2021 South Carolina Mr. Football finalist recovers from a shoulder injury.
The ‘Hawks will rely on talented senior running back Chase McCracken to lead the offense alongside quarterback and Raleigh transfer Owen Bayes, who impressed throwing the football at James Island last week. But May River’s stout defensive unit will provide a difficult challenge led by a standout duo of defensive end Jaiden Jones and linebacker Kade Carpenter. The Sharks will look to slow down McCracken and force Bayes and an inexperienced Seahawk passing offense to move the ball through the air.
With the region title already locked up for Rodney Summers’ Sharks, we don’t expect to see too much of phenom quarterback Garvin Douglas, but James Layman is certainly capable of leading the offense and finding success against a Seahawk group that has struggled to stop explosive plays. With the dangerous and versatile Jaeon Allen alongside reliable running back Cam Scott and newly-returned speedy wideout Fareed Abdullah and a dominant offensive line, the Sharks should be able to rest Douglas and still find a way to light up the scoreboard.
The game might not mean as much in the region standings, but both coaches will want to see a solid performance to build momentum heading into the postseason. It should be an emotional Senior Night at the Nest, which should inspire the Seahawks to rally around Sneed and put up a terrific effort against a May River group that’s looking poised for a special November ahead. — Wes Kerr
PREDICTION
JJ: May River 34, Hilton Head High 14
WK: May River 31, Hilton Head High 12
Beaufort (7-2, 3-1) at Colleton County (0-4, 0-4)
After an impressive bounce-back performance against Bluffton, the Beaufort High Eagles are flying high into the SCHSL Class 4A postseason. Bryce Lybrand’s squad has locked up the No.2 seed in Region 7-4A and will travel to Colleton County on Friday for one final tune-up game.
It was a slow start for Tyler Haley in Bluffton last week, but the senior quarterback caught fire after halftime, carving up Bluffton’s secondary for 327 yards and three touchdowns after throwing two picks in the first half. He should be able to pick apart a Colleton County group that had difficulties stopping Max Vonhohenstraeten’s aerial attack back in Week 6. Zyrin Odom has become a staple in the Eagles’ passing game this season, and he should be looked to often for some deep shots down the field. McLeod Reichel has excelled as a quick and athletic receiver who can rack up yards on underneath routes, and Kacy Fields has continued to put together a valuable role as both a rusher and pass-catcher. The Eagles might choose to limit stellar running back Amariee Morris and rest his legs for what should be a long postseason ahead as he recovers from an injury that has kept him out of two of the past three games.
It’s been a tough 2021 season for Colleton County, as the Cougars look to conclude their campaign with a strong performance on their home field. Kris Howell’s team was unable to play any non-region games this year due to COVID-19 issues, making it difficult for an inexperienced Cougar team heading straight into region play.
The defense has played admirably against some stellar competition this season, allowing seven points or fewer in the first half in each of its first three games. But the Cougars were unable to hold down a lethal Garvin Douglas-led May River rushing attack and will have a tough time stopping Haley’s versatile Beaufort High offense.
Colleton County has scored just four points per game over its last three contests, and the Eagles’ stout defensive line of Eamon Smalls and Alvin Wilson should be busy in the backfield on Friday night.
Kris Howell’s Cougars will come in hungry and motivated to pull off a shocker and avoid a winless season, but a confident Beaufort High side with some motivation of its own should get out to a lead quickly and coast to its eighth win of the year. — Wes Kerr
PREDICTION
JJ: Beaufort High 37, Colleton County 13
WK: Beaufort High 42, Colleton County 6
Bluffton (2-6, 1-3) at James Island (4-4, 2-2)
The Bobcats are playoff-bound thanks to five Region 7-4A teams qualifying this season, but they might be able to improve their seeding with an upset at James Island on Friday. A Bluffton win and a Hilton Head High loss to May River would result in a three-way tie for the final three playoff spots, leading to a tiebreaker procedure to sort out the seeding.
That scenario will only come into play if the Bobcats can reignite their offense, which has managed only 22 points in three games since a 49-point second half led to a 55-30 win over Colleton County. That will be easier said than done against a Trojans defense that has been terrific of late, holding an explosive Beaufort High offense to 16 points before limiting Colleton County and Hilton Head High to a combined 10 points in consecutive wins.
Bluffton’s defense has kept the Bobcats in games all season, but the unit has worn down late in games when the offense isn’t able to sustain drives. The Trojans have enough firepower on offense to cause problems for Bluffton’s defense, starting with dual-threat sophomore quarterback Braxton Scott and senior running back Terio McKelvey.
Both defenses are capable of keeping this game low-scoring, so it’s likely to come down to the offense that better executes its gameplan and avoids mistakes. Bluffton quarterback Max Vonhohenstraeten has shown flashes of brilliance, picking apart defenses with a bevy of talented receivers, but he has struggled when pressured. If the Bobcats’ offensive line can give him time to survey the field and move the chains, Bluffton’s defense can keep them in it and maintain hope for moving up the playoff seeding chart, but if the Trojans continue their excellent play on defense, they’ll lock up the No. 3 seed at home. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
JJ: James Island 27, Bluffton 13
WK: James Island 21, Bluffton 10
Battery Creek (1-5, 1-1) at North Charleston (4-4, 1-3)
Despite going multiple rounds with COVID-19 protocols this season, the Dolphins have a chance to build on their foundation in coach Terrance Ashe’s second season with a playoff-clinching win at North Charleston on Friday.
Battery Creek has not played since Oct. 8 against Hanahan, as a positive COVID test within the program and the ripples it created limited the Dolphins to practicing in smaller pods until days before their season finale. Creek still isn’t at full strength, but everyone who is available to play Friday should be fresh, including powerful running back Jeremiah Dilbert, who is averaging 129 rushing yards per game.
Bishop England gashed the Cougars on the ground in a 36-14 win last week, and North Charleston’s offense was also out of sorts, committing several turnovers. Dilbert should have success on the ground, so if the Dolphins can hang onto the ball, they should be able to sustain drives and keep a thin defense fresh.
North Charleston’s offense can be effective when the Cougars establish the run, but if the Dolphins can win the line of scrimmage on defense and force the Cougars to the air, they’ll have a great chance at clinching their spot in the postseason. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
JJ: Battery Creek 24, North Charleston 20
WK: Battery Creek 21, North Charleston 20
Ridgeland-Hardeeville (0-6, 0-4) at Philip Simmons (8-1, 4-0)
It has been a rough re-entry for Ridgeland-Hardeeville after sitting out last season amid the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s looking likely that Rodney Barr’s first season at the helm will end in a winless campaign. Unless, of course, they can knock off the No. 5 team in Class 2A on the road.
That’s a longshot, at best, but not because of the Jagaurs. The Iron Horses have emerged as a serious state title contender, with their only loss coming against Class 3A Hanahan on Sept. 17. Since then, Philip Simmons is 4-0 and has outscored opponents 179-39, including a 24-13 win over previously unbeaten Timberland last week.
The Iron Horses boast a balanced offense led by senior quarterback Tripp Williams, who can hurt defenses with his arm and his legs, and a trio of effective backs, and they should find success against a young Jaguars defense that is playing catch-up after missing all of last season.
Quarterback Maurice Brown and the Jaguars’ offense has had plenty of highlights this season, but consistency has been hard to come by, and it will be difficult to sustain success against an excellent Philip Simmons defense that has allowed more than 14 points only once this season.
The Jaguars will keep chopping toward a brighter future, but they’ll have a tough time keeping pace against a budding Class 2A power in Philip Simmons. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
JJ: Philip Simmons 38, Ridgeland-Hardeeville 12
WK: Philip Simmons 46, Ridgeland-Hardeeville 8
John Paul II (3-4, 3-1) at Beaufort Academy (4-3, 3-1)
A year ago, John Paul II salvaged its season finale with a thrilling 33-32 home win over Beaufort Academy but watched as the Eagles went to the playoffs while the Golden Warriors stayed home. The stakes are equally high this year — both squads are playoff-bound regardless of the outcome, but the winner will claim the No. 2 seed from SCISA Region 1-2A and a home game in the first round of the postseason.
JPII took its lumps against a tough stretch in the schedule, enduring losses in three of four games, including lopsided defeats to defending state champions Thomas Heyward and Hilton Head Christian, but the Golden Warriors showed steady improvement and put it on full display in a 24-10 win over Hilton Head Prep last week, avenging a 38-16 setback in Week 0 and keeping alive hope for a top-two finish in the region.
BA has played a similarly difficult schedule and is coming off a 35-6 loss to powerhouse HHCA, but the Eagles played the defending champs much tougher than the final score indicates. The Eagles’ defense has disruptive playmakers at every level, and Devontae Green’s return to full strength gives BA a trio of effective runners along with Jaxen Porter and Cody Dalrymple.
Both teams boast talented young quarterbacks in JPII’s Christian Tilton and BA’s Braydon Dineen, both of whom can hurt defenses with their legs and find an open receiver when needed. Tilton has developed into a dual threat and is coming off an outstanding performance against HHP in which he rushed for 147 yards and a TD on 19 carries and completed 3 of 9 passes for 78 yards with 2 TDs and an interception. Dineen struggled against HHCA’s dominant defense, but he has shown his development as a passer this season and has a great rapport with Porter, who can make big plays out of the backfield in both the run and pass games.
The Golden Warriors did a terrific job of bottling up HHP’s Loncelle Daley last week, though Daley was without trusty fullback Jake Rodney-Brown, but it will be a bigger challenge to stop a BA attack that uses misdirection, requiring disciplined commitment to assignments on defense. Michael Carbone and Peter Hughes have been rocks on defense for JPII, and they’ll need to be at the top of their game to slow down BA’s powerful backs and force Dineen to the air.
JPII’s option offense presents similar challenges for BA’s defense, which had trouble stopping HHCA for four quarters — everyone has — but kept the game close in the first half and held the Eagles to their lowest scoring output of the season.
With two talented quarterbacks leading capable offenses and a pair of hard-nosed defenses hoping to help their teams earn a home playoff game, this one should be a fight to the finish and a fantastic regular-season finale. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
JJ: Beaufort Academy 32, John Paul II 26
WK: Beaufort Academy 28, John Paul II 20
Hilton Head Christian (8-0, 4-0) at Hilton Head Prep (6-3, 2-2) (WK)
For the first time since moving off the island, the Hilton Head Christian Academy Eagles are heading back across the bridge to take on their Sea Pines rivals. After a tough challenge from Beaufort Academy on their new home field, the SCISA Region 1-2A champs will look to put the finishing touches on a second straight perfect regular season on Friday afternoon.
We saw some uncharacteristic struggles for HHCA’s high-powered attack last week, as two early Jace Blackshear interceptions resulted in just seven first-half points from the offense. But the Junkyard Dog defense came to the rescue and should dominate against a struggling Hilton Head Prep unit.
If Jackson Lanier and a swarming front seven can bottle up Loncelle Daley on the ground, the Eagles should be able to slow down Tristan Bonomo and the Dolphins. The senior quarterback has been shaky through the air in the last few weeks, and HHCA’s pass defense led by reliable seniors Riley Shinn and Speedy Robinson alongside breakout linebacker Keene Reese should dominate under the Sea Pines sun.
After a slow start in the first half, it was all systems go for Blackshear and Hilton Head Chrstian Academy’s explosive offense against BA. It shouldn’t take long for the electric, dual-threat quarterback to take over the game and dash past the Dolphin defense. AJ Barger and Sean Graham have provided a major lift to Dave Adams’ secondary, but it will be a tall task to hold down the quickness of Speedy Robinson and the athleticism of Shinn and Lanier. With veteran leader Jake Rodney-Brown possibly not at 100% coming in, the Eagles should pounce on the Dolphins early and have time to rest their stars going into the postseason next week.
Beaufort Academy showed a template of how to hang with the high-flying Eagles, but it will take flawless execution from Hilton Head Prep and a couple HHCA mistakes to keep the Dolphins in this rivalry battle. If the offensive line can dig in and give room for Daley to pick up solid chunks of yardage, the Dolphins can look to eat away at the clock and keep the ball away from Blackshear as much as possible. But that is much easier said than done against a dialed-in Junkyard Dog defense looking to run it back at Charleston Southern in just a few weeks. — Wes Kerr
PREDICTION
JJ: Hilton Head Christian 41, Hilton Head Prep 13
WK: Hilton Head Christian 42, Hilton Head Prep 10
Greenwood Christian (2-7, 0-4) at Thomas Heyward (8-1, 4-0)
Thomas Heyward has one last tune-up before beginning its push for a fourth consecutive SCISA 1A title, and the Rebels shouldn’t have much trouble finishing the regular-season on a high note against the struggling Hawks.
THA has been dominant since a stunning 29-22 overtime loss at Bluffton on Sept. 10, outscoring its past six opponents 213-27 for an average margin of 35.5-4.5. The Rebels’ defense has been fierce, holding eight of its nine opponents to seven points or fewer with many of those scores coming against the reserves in lopsided games.
The Rebels routed Bethesda Academy 45-0 last week, just a week after the Blazers picked up their first win of the season in a 26-20 win at Greenwood Christian. THA’s dominant defense led by seniors Brandon Howard, Cameron VanGeison, and Preston Hamilton, should be able to contain Hawks leading rusher Miles Fulghum and keep pressure on quarterback Ryan Shirley.
The Hawks have been able to put up 20 points or more in six of their nine games, but they’ve struggled to slow down opposing offenses, and that presents a problem against THA’s powerful rushing attack. Even with leading rusher Anthony Fripp sidelined last week and third-string quarterback Tyshon Mansell at the helm, the Rebels still managed to put up 45 points. Either Fripp or eighth-grader Tony Obanner — or both — will be able to rack up yardage, and the Rebels should be able to get most of their starters out early to rest up for another postseason run. — Justin Jarrett
PREDICTION
JJ: Thomas Heyward 44, Greenwood Christian 12
WK: Thomas Heyward 40, Greenwood Christian 0
St. John’s Christian (5-3, 2-2) at Colleton Prep (3-6, 2-2)
The opportunity is in front of the Colleton Prep War Hawks to improve their playoff seeding as they host a struggling St. John’s Christian team to close out the regular season.
The War Hawks locked up a playoff berth last week with a victory over Greenwood Christian, and they should have a great chance to earn another against the Cavaliers to move up from the No. 4 to the No.3 seed out of Region 1-1A.
It looked like SJCA would be the biggest challenger to region champ Thomas Heyward, but the Cavs have fallen flat the last two weeks against the Rebels and Dorchester Academy to lose a grip on the top two positions. The War Hawks have been battle-tested this season with games against both Heyward and Hilton Head Christian Academy, and they will look to stymie a Cavalier offense that has scored just seven points in each of its last two games. Led by an impressive defensive line duo of Noah Catterton and Walker Nettles, Colleton Prep should be able to create some havoc in the backfield and slow down a stagnant SJCA offense.
We’ve seen some brilliant play from senior quarterback Drew Murdaugh down the stretch, and the talented runner should continue to find ways to move the football alongside a dynamic Cole Davis, who accounted for three touchdowns last week. If the offensive line can get the job done and open up holes for Murdaugh and Davis, the star-studded duo should find a way to build sustained drives and control the game.
The War Hawks have begun to find their form over the last few weeks and could be a very dangerous out in the postseason. If the offense can limit self-inflicted mistakes and create running room to ignite its budding and multidimensional attack, Colleton Prep should ride a hard-working and confident defense to finish the regular season with a massive home victory. — Wes Kerr
PREDICTION
JJ: Colleton Prep 26, St. John’s Christian 20
WK: Colleton Prep 24, St. John’s Christian 22
SEASON RECORDS
WK: 7-2 last week, 71-11 overall
JJ: 8-1 last week, 65-17 overall
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