Region play begins in earnest next week, so while the Week 5 high school football results might not have a direct impact on the playoff picture for teams around the Lowco, it’s one last chance to correct some shortcomings and build momentum going into the second half of the season. Plus, there are some serious bragging rights on the line.
We have a trio of tasty Lowco-on-Lowco treats — with two taking place in the same one-mile radius — to highlight a 13-game slate, as Battery Creek plays at Whale Branch, Beaufort High travels to Bluffton, and Beaufort Academy hits the road to HHCA.
Here’s a look at all the Week 5 matchups on #LowcoFridayNight.
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We’ll post what we can (where the cell signal allows) on Twitter and Instagram and meet up to round up all the scores, stats, and highlights we can scrape together at 11:30 p.m. Friday on Lowco Pigskin Live, streaming live on the LowcoSports social media platforms and the Lowco Media YouTube channel.
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LowcoSports Week 5 HSFB Primer
SCHSL
Battery Creek (0-5) at Whale Branch (5-0)
Winless vs. undefeated is usually a telling juxtaposition after five games, but this is one of those rivalries with so much emotional entanglement that such stats are rendered irrelevant. In other words, throw out the records. This is a neighborhood grudge match with cousin vs. cousin and literal brother vs. brother, though Battery Creek’s Donyae Brown is injured and won’t get to go toe-to-toe with brother Daeyon Brown and Whale Branch. The Warriors appear to be the better team, but that was the case last year, too, and the Dolphins were able to grind out a win at home. Whale Branch hasn’t been as snake-bitten on the injury front this season, but the Dolphins have, and that should give the Warriors enough of an edge to get it done even if they don’t bring their “A” game.
Beaufort (3-2) at Bluffton (3-1)
The Eagles have won four straight and five of six over the Bobcats with the last three victories coming by 30+ points, but this one figures to be more competitive. Beaufort has been battle-tested with three games against Class 5A opponents and two against Class 4A foes, and the defense has held up exceptionally well with an opportunistic offense and relentless ground game helping the Eagles grind out three straight tough wins after an 0-2 start. Bluffton’s spread offense provides a unique challenge, and if the Bobcats can establish the run with Jake Ridgway and Jeremiah Curry, they’ll have a chance to exploit mismatches on the edges with Brandon Bryant and Carnell Warren. Beaufort will need its defensive front to bottle up the backs and allow the linebacking corps to aid in coverage and prevent the big plays the Bobcats thrive on and need to end their skid against the Eagles.
Colleton Co. (1-3) at Woodland (3-0)
The Cougars have played a tough early-season schedule, and it doesn’t get a whole lot easier with a trip to face the Wolverines, who are undefeated and ranked 10th in Class 2A. Colleton County’s defense has played well with Nick Williams leading the charge and limited Hampton County to a season-low 10 points in Week 1. If the Cougars can keep the Wolverines under 20, they’ll have a great shot at a second straight win, but it will be a tall task against a Woodland offense running behind highly-touted offensive lineman Kam Pringle.
May River (2-2) at Cane Bay (2-2)
Ready for some fun with the transitive property? This matchup brings it on both ends. The Sharks and Cobras already have two common opponents, with Cane Bay beating Beaufort (29-10) and West Ashley (19-14) while May River lost to the Eagles (16-13) and Wildcats (30-7). What can we glean from that juxtaposition? Cane Bay certainly was more equipped to match up with Beaufort and West Ashley in the trenches and should have an edge up front tonight. May River will need Tanner Macy to continue his excellent work on the ground and hit some receivers early to loosen up the middle of the field for running back Jordan Williams, then hope the defense can stop the Cobras’ power rushing attack in the fourth quarter.
Hampton Co. (5-0) at Brookland-Cayce (2-2)
The Hurricanes have faced a couple decent tests, but this might be the toughest yet as they travel to a hostile environment in Columbia to face a Bearcats team that is reeling from back-to-back seven-point losses to crosstown rivals. Brookland-Cayce is talented but has been inconsistent on offense both in philosophy and execution. The ‘Canes aren’t the team to try to figure it out against. Ka’Von Chisolm, Mandrell Sanders, and Malachi Green, who just returned from injury last week, are a trio who does tremendous damage in the backfield, shutting down the run and pressuring the quarterback. With Zion Dobson averaging nearly 14 yards per carry through five games — and having topped 100 yards in all five — Hampton County should be able to put up enough points for the defense to make it stand up.
Ridgeland (2-2) at Bethune-Bowman (1-3)
The Jaguars are coming off a tough 38-24 loss at Marlboro County for their second straight defeat following a 2-0 start, but they have a great shot to get back on track on the road tonight. The Mohawks’ defense has left something to be desired, and quarterback Maurice Brown heads a dangerous offense with threats from backs Wenson Smith and Xavier Plowdeniz as well as receivers Jaquise Johnson and Wesley Jones. Most of Ridgeland’s standouts play on both sides of the ball, but the Mohawks will be in the same boat, so the Jags should be able to control the fourth quarter.
SCISA
Beaufort Academy (5-0) at HHCA (2-2)
Hilton Head Prep (0-4) at Pee Dee Academy (1-3)
John Paul II (1-4) at Florence Christian (1-3)
Colleton Prep (3-2) at Spartanburg Xian (1-3)
Lee Academy (3-1) at Cross (0-5)
Patrick Henry (5-0) at Clarendon Hall (4-0)
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