With 14 games across two nights, played in eight different counties, Week 1 of the Lowco high school football season told a wealth of stories. We’ve got the CliffsNotes version right here in Lowco First Down.
Hilton Head 65, Stall 0
Thaddeus Czarnecki rushed for 88 yards and two TDs on just seven carries, and Derrick Raniszewski was 11-of-14 for 87 yards with two TDs and an interception and added 54 yards and a TD on two rushes in his debut under center, as the Seahawks spread the wealth on offense and dominated on defense in a lopsided road win. Tyrone Hill and Jeremiah Walters added TD runs, and Carson Haines had five catches for 55 yards and two TDs, while Andrew Massey and Caleb Spangler led a shutout on defense and the Seahawks blocked two punts.
Up next: Hilton Head (1-0) vs. James Island on Friday
Laurence Manning 54, John Paul II 25
The Swampcats opened up a 27-3 halftime lead and kept the offense cranking, holding the Golden Warriors at bay despite a second-half rally. Alan Wolf took over at quarterback and sparked JPII’s offense, throwing touchdown passes to Tommy Gehm and Dante Aiken, and Bryant Jolley scored a late rushing TD.
Up next: JPII (0-2) at Battery Creek on Friday
Fort Dorchester 28, Beaufort 21
Samari Bonds and Amare Patterson hooked up for two late touchdowns to pull Beaufort even at 21 in the fourth quarter, but the host Patriots scored the winning touchdown with 20.9 seconds left to escape with the win. Elias Johnson added a touchdown run for Beaufort, and Will Codding racked up 11 tackles for the Eagles.
Up next: Beaufort (0-1) vs. Greenwood on Friday
May River 34, Airport 13
Tanner Macy rushed for 76 yards and three TDs on 12 carries to lead a balanced May River rushing attack that was buoyed by a dominant defensive effort. Asa Haskins added 67 yards and a TD on nine carries, Andrew Johnson tacked on 57 yards and a TD on 12 totes, and Sean Mitchell collected 58 yards on 13 attempts in a group effort on the ground. Peter Nodelman, Zavier Polite, Hudson Tanner, and AJ Hamilton were among the defensive standouts for the Sharks.
Up next: May River (1-0) at West Ashley on Friday
Bluffton 57, Whale Branch 0
Aedan McCarthy excelled in his first start as a Bobcat, and senior standout Carnell Warren reeled in four touchdown receptions as Bluffton delivered a statement shutout win over visiting Whale Branch. Bluffton’s defense held down Jermon Bowers and a new-look Warrior attack, with Chris Doyle and Josh Bond anchoring Hayden Gregory’s unit.
Up next: Bluffton (1-0) at Andrew Jackson on Friday; Whale Branch (0-1) at Hardeeville on Friday
Hampton Co. 41, Colleton Co. 20
Jaylen Singletary piled up 225 rushing yards on just 10 carries, scoring two eye-popping touchdowns and adding a 94-yard run, and Jayvin Risher added 117 yards and two TDs on the ground as the Hurricanes ran out to a 28-0 lead and cruised past the Cougars.
Up next: Hampton Co. (1-0) vs. Allendale-Fairfax on Friday; Colleton Co. (0-1) vs. Woodland on Friday
Hardeeville 48, Bethune-Bowman 6
Louis Gadson scored three rushing touchdowns, Camari Brown scored on a run and a punt return, and Jamonte Roberts and Emiliano Santiago each added a TD run to lead the Hurricanes to a big road win in their first varsity football game since 2012.
Up next: Hardeeville (1-0) vs. Whale Branch on Friday
Ridgeland 30, Eau Claire 6
Wenson Smith piled up 237 yards from scrimmage and scored three TDs, rushing for 181 yards and two scores on just nine carries, to lead the Jaguars to a lopsided home win to start the season. Taishaun Smith was 5-of-6 for 153 yards and a TD, and Ridgeland’s defense produced 12 tackles for loss and three sacks, plus a 66-yard fumble return TD from Palaal “Bam” Crawford.
Up next: Ridgeland (1-0) vs. East Clarendon on Friday
HHCA 17, Battery Creek 7
Reid McCollum rushed for 122 yards and 2 TDs to go along with 156 passing yards, and HHCA’s defense bounced back in a big way to stifle a Dolphins offense with several dynamic playmakers. McCollum gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead with a TD run late in the first half, and Ethan Foster made a leaping interception near the goal line to preserve the lead just before halftime. The defenses slugged it out after the break, with Ian Kelly’s field goal icing it late.
Up next: HHCA (1-1) vs. Bethesda Academy on Friday; Battery Creek (0-1) vs. John Paul II on Friday
Patrick Henry 34, Academic Magnet 7
Mikell Tucker Mathis rushed for 138 yards and three TDs with 53 receiving yards and a pair of interceptions on defense, including a pick-6, as the defending SCISA 1A champion Patriots knocked off a SCHSL opponent for the second straight season. Rylin Brunson was 10-of-16 for 121 yards and rushed for 61 yards on eight carries, and Luke Sobey added 45 yards and a tD on the ground and was productive in the passing game and on defense.
Up next: PHA (1-0) at Clarendon Hall on Friday
Hilton Head Prep 19, St. Andrew’s 13
Wyatt Harmer threw touchdown passes to Finnian Rooney and Brody Hausher to rally Hilton Head Prep from a 13-0 deficit, and Wyatt Butler took an interception back for a touchdown to lead the Dolphins to their first win since 2021, snapping a 25-game skid in coach Doug McFadden’s second game at the helm.
Up next: HHP (1-1) at Bethesda Academy (9/13)
Thomas Heyward 41, Bethesda Academy 32
Josh Gibson took two kickoffs to the house, and Donovan Robinson and Colton Young each notched a pick-6 as the Rebels’ defense and special teams stole the show at home. Tony O’Banner rushed for 97 yards and two TDs, but the defensive effort led by Angus Crider, Donovan Robinson, Eli McLemore, Beau Pinckney, and Dawson Drew set the tone.
Up next: THA (1-0) at Colleton Prep on Friday
Colleton Prep 28, St. John’s Christian 13
Walker Bryan racked up 221 rushing yards and scored four TDs, and Cale Owens added 101 yards on the ground and was efficient in the passing game as the War Hawks built a 28-0 lead and coasted at home.
Up next: CPA (2-0) vs. Thomas Heyward on Friday
Jefferson Davis 54, Cross Schools 0
The Stingrays dropped down from 11-man football to SCISA 8-man, but they received a rough introduction from defending state champion Jefferson Davis, which led 36-0 after one quarter and dominated from start to finish, with six different players scoring touchdowns.
Up next: Cross Schools (0-1) vs. The King’s Academy on Friday