The day has come, and even with a Thursday night kickoff, the wait was agonizing. For 76 years, Beaufort High School fans have waited for a state football title, which eluded them in 2007. At 7 p.m. at Benedict College, they have a chance to end the drought against former head coach DeVonte Holloman and Rock Hill power South Pointe.
We’ve covered this game from all angles, including a look at the key players to watch on both sides of the ball, the relationship between Holloman and Beaufort head coach Bryce Lybrand, the journey that has brought senior quarterback Tyler Haley to the cusp of a state title, and a look at Beaufort’s football history and what a win would mean for all the Eagles who came before.
We also have a fantastic podcast to keep you occupied on the ride up and get you ready for kickoff, as WRHI radio’s Tyler Cupp joined our Justin Jarrett and Wes Kerr to break down the big game, and you’ll hear from Lybrand and Haley, as well as longtime Beaufort High coach Mark Clifford, who reflects on the 2007 state championship game.
As always, the battle in the trenches, the struggle for field position, and the turnover margin will play huge roles in the outcome. Both teams boast versatile and dynamic offenses and outstanding defenses, so the result will come down to which team can best execute its gameplan and adjust to the opponent’s schemes.
One key matchup to watch is South Pointe’s athletic secondary against Beaufort’s dangerous receiving corps. The Eagles have been able to pick defenses apart with an array of receivers with varied skillsets, including deep threat Zyrin Odom, speedster Kacy Fields, and reliable check-downs Michael Dennison and McLeod Reichel, but this could be the best secondary they’ve seen.
Another area of interest is how Beaufort tries to defend star wideout Waymond Jenerette, who has caught 80 passes for 1,248 yards and 15 TDs. If Daryl DePass or Jalin Porter can neutralize Jenerette and force someone else to beat them, it could be a big night for Beaufort.
Here’s a look at how the teams stack up statistically. Now there’s only one thing left to do: Wait until kickoff.
| BHS | CLASS 4A CHAMPIONSHIP | SPHS |
|---|---|---|
| 12-2 | Record | 11-1 |
| 10 | Ranking | 2 |
| 2 | State Titles | 6 |
| 1945 | Last Title | 2017 |
| 2007 | Last Appearance | 2017 |
| OFFENSE | ||
| 31.3 | Scoring Offense | 34.2 |
| 333.2 | Total Offense | 383.1 |
| 185.6 | Passing Yards | 234 |
| 17 | Passing TDs | 29 |
| 147.6 | Rushing Yards | 149.1 |
| 32 | Rushing TDs | 23 |
| 8 | Interceptions | 11 |
| 1 | Fumbles Lost | 3 |
| DEFENSE | ||
| 12.9 | Scoring Defense | 18.6 |
| 192.6 | Total Defense | N/A |
| 71.8 | Passing Defense | N/A |
| 120.9 | Rushing Defense | N/A |
| 99 | Tackles for Loss | 24 |
| 27 | Sacks | 39 |
| 13 | Interceptions | 11 |
| 8 | Fumble Recoveries | 5 |
| KICKING | ||
| 42-36.5 | Punts-Avg. | N/A |
| 14-19 | Field Goals | N/A |
| 12-17 | FG 30+ | N/A |
| 6-9 | FG 40+ | N/A |
| 54-56 | PATs | N/A |
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