After waiting all year for the first Friday night of high school football season, the Lowco weather ensured we had to wait a little longer — some longer than others — but the Friday Night Lights did shine in Week Zero.
The epic clash on the Isle of Ladies between Beaufort High and Class 5A Cane Bay fell victim to lightning and apparently won’t be rescheduled, while Battery Creek and Hilton Head High reconvened for brunch at 10 a.m. Saturday on the island.
Here’s a look at the action that took place around the Lowco on Friday (and Saturday). We’ll have more video recaps and full game stories coming Sunday and put a bow on everything in the Lowco Football Spotlight! For more insight, check out Lowco Pigskin LIVE! and join us next Friday at 11 p.m. as we round up all the scores and highlights in real time.
BLUFFTON 42, BEACH 13
The Bobcats had to wait a couple extra hours to kick off the Hayden Gregory era, but they did so in style, routing the visiting Bulldogs in an interstate clash. Six different players found the end zone for Bluffton, including a 56-yard TD pass from Jaylin Linder to Camauri Simmons on the first play of the game, as the Bobcats built a 28-7 halftime lead and increased it to 42-7 before giving up a late score. Max Vonhohenstraten was 23-of-35 for 362 yards with 3 TDs and an INT, throwing TD passes to Linder, Brandon Bryant, and Michael Fritz, and Roderick Buxton added 95 yards and a TD on nine carries while Simmons caught six passes for 124 yards and a score.
UP NEXT: Bluffton (1-0) at Jenkins
WADE HAMPTON 21, COLLETON COUNTY 7
The Red Devils blitzed the visiting Cougars for three quick scores before Colleton County settled in and make Wade Hampton work to hold on for a season-opening road win. Sophomore QB Chris Terry had rushing and passing TDs and Zion Dobson added a rushing score to give the Red Devils a 21-0 lead, but the Cougars blanked them the rest of the way and Mykeem Gant hit Nick Williams for a second-half touchdown pass.
UP NEXT: Wade Hampton (1-0) vs. Allendale-Fairfax, Colleton County (0-1) idle
BEAUFORT ACADEMY 41, PINEWOOD PREP 20
BA’s power rushing attack was complemented by an explosive passing game in an impressive opening win on the road. Braydon Dineen was an efficient 5-of-7 for 184 yards and a pair of TDs and rushed for 70 yards, Jaxen Porter added two rushing TDs, Devontae Green rushed for 122 yards and a TD on 12 carries, and Battery Creek transfer Te’Shaun Heyward snagged four balls for 132 yards and a TD. Tripp Gregory also caught a TD pass, and Alex Williams recovered a fumble for a touchdown and recorded back-to-back sacks to seal the victory along with anchoring the offensive line.
UP NEXT: BA (1-0) at Hilton Head Prep, Pinewood (0-1) at Laurence Manning
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ESTILL 30, RIDGELAND 20
The Gators scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to break open a close game, then held off a furious second-half rally from the Jaguars for a rivalry win to open the season.
UP NEXT: Estill (1-0) at C.A. Johnson, Ridgeland (0-1) vs. Battery Creek
SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN 54, HHCA 7
The two-time defending state champion Eagles suffered their first loss since the 2019 SCISA 2A title game at the hands of powerhouse Savannah Christian. Dylan Clark connected with Qayden Turner for HHCA’s only score.
UP NEXT: HHCA (0-1) at Wilson Hall
BETHESDA ACADEMY 8, HILTON HEAD PREP 7
Loncelle Daley scored on defense for the Dolphins’ only touchdown, as all the scoring came in the first quarter of a sloppy game that was delayed by heavy storms in Savannah. Hilton Head Prep’s defense played terrifically in Dustin Etheridge’s head coaching debut.
UP NEXT: Hilton Head Prep (0-1) vs. Beaufort Academy, Bethesda (1-0) at John Paul II
COLLETON PREP 26, FLORENCE CHRISTIAN 8
After going 7-4 and knocking Beaufort Academy out of the SCISA 2A playoffs a year ago, Florence Christian faced a rough welcome in Walterboro to open the 2022 campaign, as the Warhawks bottled up the Eagles’ dynamic offense and wore down FCS with their power running game. Cole Davis scored two of his three rushing TDs in the fourth quarter to seal the win after Caleb Davis opened the scoring in the first quarter.
UP NEXT: Colleton Prep (1-0) at Northwood; Florence Christian (0-1) vs. Hammond
PATRICK HENRY 33, CROSS 0
The Stingrays faced a huge challenge in their varsity football debut, traveling to Estill to face a tough Patriots squad. Mikel Tucker Mathis had a big night on both sides of the ball for PHA, rushing for 91 yards and two TDs on just five carries and racking up eight solo tackles and a forced fumble on defense. QB Hugh Fairey was effective for the Patriots, rushing for 58 yards on four carries and completing 3 of 4 passes for 56 yards and two TDs.
UP NEXT: Cross (0-1) vs. Calhoun Academy, Patrick Henry (1-0) at St. John’s Christian
HOLY TRINITY 24, CHARLESTON COLLEGIATE 8
The Mighty Lions made quite a statement in their varsity 8-man football debut, waiting out a lengthy lightning delay at Whale Branch Middle before picking up a convincing victory to start their varsity football history. The teams will meet again in two weeks for a rematch that counts in the region standings.
UP NEXT: Holy Trinity (1-0) at Holly Hill, Charleston Collegiate (0-1) vs. Cathedral
