The threat of bad weather stretched out Week 4 of the Lowco high school football season and treated us to a double feature with two nights of action. Here’s everything you need to know in Lowco First Down.
SCHSL
Goose Creek 27, Beaufort 12
The Eagles pulled within a score midway through the third period but couldn’t contain dual-threat quarterback Kymani Clary down the stretch and complete the comeback. Clary opened the scoring with a rushing touchdown and added a pair of passing TDs, and the Gators’ defense pitched a second-half shutout against a short-handed Beaufort offense that was without star quarterback Samari Bonds and electric receiver Amare Patterson due to injury. Both are hopeful to return Friday against Battery Creek.
Up next: Beaufort (0-4) at Battery Creek on Friday
May River 35, Brookland-Cayce 13
Andrew Johnson led the way with 131 yards and three TDs as the Sharks racked up 373 rushing yards on 57 carries and blasted the Bearkats without attempting a pass. Gage Duncan and Sean Mitchell each added 104 yards on 14 carries, and Asa Haskins and Tanner Macy each scored a rushing TD. Hudson Flanagan (15 tkls, PBU) and Ethan Sprinkle (14 tkls, TFL) anchored May River’s defense.
Up next: May River (4-0) at Georgetown on Sept. 27
Hilton Head High 41, Hardeeville 8
Derrick Raniszewski returned from injury and went 8-for-11 for 104 yards and three TDs while splitting time at quarterback with Jeremiah Walters, who continued his strong play by going 5-for-5 for 71 yards and a TD and caught a touchdown pass, as the Seahawks rolled to a convincing road win. Carson Haines caught three passes for 100 yards and two TDs and Ty Wiedemann hauled in a touchdown grab, while Thaddeus Czarnecki and Troy Timko each averaged more than eight yards per carry and scored a touchdown.
Up next: HHIHS (3-1) vs. Hampton Co., Hardeeville (1-3) at Lee Central on Friday
Hampton Co. 50, Bluffton 36
Jaylen Singletary rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns while returning a pair of interceptions for two more scores as top-ranked SCHSL 2A Hampton County stormed past Bluffton on the road. Chris Terry was efficient through the air, completing 5-of-7 passes for 156 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, including a long score to Jordan Bovain who paced the squad with 104 receiving yards. The Bobcats found some life in the second half after trailing 28-0, but couldn’t get Hampton’s prolific offense off the field late to complete the rally. Desmond Mathis and Donyae Russell also added touchdown receptions for the Hurricanes.
Up next: Hampton Co. (4-0) at HHIHS, Bluffton (2-2) vs. Lucy Beckham on Friday
Colleton Co. 50, Stall 0
Galil Fraiser and Amauri Sanders hooked up for two touchdown passes, Cam Grayson added a rushing score and took a punt return to the house to help the Cougars roll to their first win of the season. Xavion Greene led the shutout defensive effort with a pair of sacks and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Up next: Colleton Co. (1-3) vs. Stratford on Sept. 27
Battery Creek 41, Bethune-Bowman 0
Chase Olsen and Derrick Smalls Jr. connected for two touchdown passes, and Ty’juan Simmons scored a rushing touchdown and was on the receiving end of Olsen’s other TD pass, as the Dolphins got back on track with a shutout on the road. Smalls also took a punt return to the house thanks to an incredible block from Kelvin Willis, while Eddie Heyward rushed for 108 yards on 13 carries, and Nigil Fripp added 75 yards and a touchdown on six carries for Battery Creek.
Up next: Battery Creek (2-2) vs. Beaufort on Friday
Woodland 42, Whale Branch 13
The Wolverines’ offense caught fire early in the second half, rattling off 21 unanswered points in the first six minutes after the break to pull away from the Warriors. Whale Branch found some momentum before halftime with a long kickoff return setting up a Jermon Bowers dump-off pass to Davon Evans to cut the lead to seven, but turnovers and an inconsistent ground game plagued Jerry Hatcher’s side down the stretch. Bowers showed out in the secondary with a pair of interceptions to go alongside a touchdown pass and rushing score.
Up next: Whale Branch (2-2) vs. Philip Simmons on Friday
Manning 35, Ridgeland 0
The Jaguars couldn’t muster enough on offense to keep pace with the Monarchs, who improved to 3-1 and remain on the cusp of the top 10 in Class 2A. Xavier Plowdeniz and Cordell McLain led a respectable effort by the Jags’ defense, but Ridgeland was limited to 102 rushing yards and 106 passing yards on 42 offensive plays and couldn’t chip away at the deficit.
Up next: Ridgeland (1-3) vs. Burke on Friday
SCISA
HHCA 42, John Paul II 13
Reid McCollum had another monster night for the Eagles, going 15-of-22 for 255 yards and four TDs and adding 138 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries to power HHCA to a lopsided win in the first of two meetings with the Golden Warriors this season. Joey Houpt was McCollum’s favorite target with six catches for 144 yards and two TDs, while Harry Cunningham caught four passes for 58 yards and two scores. Will Helmstetter led HHCA’s defense with 11 tackles and a forced fumble.
Up next: HHCA (3-1) at Hammond on Friday; JPII (0-5) vs. Augusta Eagles on Sept. 27
HHCA coverage presented by Mikkelson Law Firm
Bethesda Academy 42, Hilton Head Prep 12
The Dolphins couldn’t stop Jordan Cheever, who rushed for 111 yards and two TDs on eight carries, or the passing game led by Jordan Turner, who was 7-for-8 for 84 yards and two scores. The Blazers took advantage of three Hilton Head Prep turnovers, including a pair of interceptions from Raleigh Wesley.
Up next: HHP (1-2) vs. Christian Academy Myrtle Beach on Friday
Dorchester Academy 19, Patrick Henry 13
Mikell Tucker Mathis had a monster night on defense, but the Raiders were a little better on that side of the ball, stifling the Patriots’ powerful run game to win a defensive struggle in Estill. Mathis had 15 tackles, including four for loss, while Hilton Nettles added 12 tackles and Jacob Corley had eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble for PHA’s defense.
Up next: Patrick Henry (2-2) vs. Bethesda on Friday
Williamsburg Academy 28, Thomas Heyward 26
Tony O’Banner rushed for 210 yards and two TDs, and Colton Young added 92 yards and two TDs on the ground, but the Rebels were denied on a two-point conversion attempt to tie it late and fell just short in a showdown of top SCISA 1A contenders. Beau Pinckney had 12 tackles, Dawson Drew added 10 tackles (5 TFL) and a sack, and Kelan Fripp had nine tackles and three TFLs to lead THA’s defense.
Up next: Thomas Heyward (3-1) vs. Faith Christian on Friday
Beaufort Academy 35, Lee Academy 20
Nych Underwood dominated on the ground once again with 154 yards and two TDs on 19 carries and blocked a punt, and Dietrich Shuford was 5-of-9 for 159 yards and two TDs and added 71 yards on the ground as the Eagles pulled away at home for a big SCISA 1A win. Jace Paulk snagged two balls for 102 yards and a score and had six tackles and an interception on defense, and Sumner Pingree and Keeler Dineen anchored the defense for BA.
Up next: BA (4-1) at Dorchester Academy on Friday
Calhoun Academy 55, Colleton Prep 28
Colt Layton continued his breakout as one of the bright young stars in SCISA 2A, rushing for 173 yards and two TDs on just 12 carries and going 7-for-8 for 106 yards and three TDs — to three different receivers — to lead an offensive outburst for the Cavaliers. Chase Strickland added 131 yards and a TD on the ground and caught a touchdown pass for Calhoun.
Up next: CPA (3-2) at Clarendon Hall on Friday
Holly Hill Academy 49, Cross Schools 6
Six different players scored touchdowns with Ax Wolpert finding the end zone on both of his carries to lead the Raiders to a lopsided win. Holly Hill scored touchdowns on seven of its 24 offensive plays and led 49-0 at halftime, but the Stingrays got on the board with long touchdown on a pass that bounced off a defender’s hands before a Cross receiver snagged it and raced into the end zone.
Up next: Cross (0-4) vs. Conway Christian on Friday
