We’ve passed the midway point of the season, and most teams are embarking on region play Friday, so it seems a good time to revisit the hierarcy of each region in the Lowco. Given what we’ve seen so far this season, here’s how Team Lowco views the region races that will unfold over the next few weeks — at least until everything changes Friday night.
SCHSL 6-4A REGION / OVERALL
May River 0-0 / 4-0
Hilton Head 0-0 / 4-1
Bishop England 0-0 / 4-1
Bluffton 0-0 / 3-2
Beaufort 0-0 / 1-4
Colleton Co. 0-0 / 1-4
The Favorite: May River has done enough to this point to earn the favorite tag, jumping into the top five in the state rankings with a quick start while preseason favorite Beaufort has been plagued by injuries and struggled against a difficult schedule. The Sharks’ straight-forward ground game and team effort on defense have been a handful for opponents.
The Contenders: With Beaufort inching toward full health, the Eagles are still among the top contenders for the title in what still appears to be a wide-open region. Bluffton has enough offensive firepower to win a shootout any given Friday, while both Hilton Head and Bishop England have emerged as surprise contenders with strong defenses and reliable run games.
The Big Game: Take your pick of Lowco-on-Lowco showdowns, because every week will bring at least one pivotal contest, if not more. It starts Friday with the Bobcats visiting Beaufort and Hilton Head traveling to Bishop England.
SCHSL 6-3A REGION / OVERALL
Orangeburg-Wilkinson 0-0 / 4-1
North Charleston 0-0 / 4-1
Hanahan 0-0 / 3-3
Battery Creek 0-0 / 2-3
Oceanside Collegiate 0-0 / 2-3
The Favorite: Despite the records, former 2A power Oceanside Collegiate remains the team to beat in the region. The Landsharks have played a brutal schedule — quite the opposite of Orangeburg-Wilkinson and North Charleston — so they should be well-prepared for region play.
The Contenders: Hanahan figures to be a thorn in OCA’s side, with the Hawks’ three losses coming by a combined 19 points against three quality opponents, and O-W has shown an ability to win close games, so don’t count the Bruins out, either. Battery Creek could be a darkhorse if the Dolphins get Derrick Smalls Jr. and Damien Freeman back to full health.
The Big Game: Oceanside Collegiate travels to Hanahan on Friday in a matchup that will clarify the picture at the top of the region significantly.
SCHSL 5-2A REGION / OVERALL
Barnwell 0-0 / 5-1
Hampton Co. 0-0 / 4-1
Whale Branch 0-0 / 2-3
Lake Marion 0-0 / 2-3
Edisto 0-0 / 2-3
The Favorite: This one seemed easy until Hampton County was trounced at Hilton Head and Barnwell blew out a Silver Bluff team that gave the Hurricanes fits. Now it’s more complicated, but based on the entire picture, it would seem the Warhorses have assumed the mantle. Whether they can carry it home from Varnville on Oct. 18 is yet to be seen.
The Contenders: If the Hurricanes aren’t the favorite anymore, they’re the top contender, and regardless of which team wins the region, both Hampton County and Barnwell will be tough outs in the playoffs. Whale Branch has the talent to emerge as a contender, but the Warriors have work to do on both sides of the ball if they want to finish above third in the region.
The Big Game: Barnwell treks to Hampton on Oct. 18 in a matchup that seems destined to determine the region title.
SCHSL 4-1A REGION / OVERALL
Ridgeland 1-0 / 3-3
Bamberg-Ehrhardt 0-0 / 2-2
Denmark-Olar 0-0 / 1-4
Allendale-Fairfax 0-0 / 0-5
Hardeeville 0-1 / 1-5
The Favorite: Nothing has changed insofar as Bamberg-Ehrhardt remains the clear favorite and is likely without peer in this newly-constructed region.
The Contenders: Ridgeland’s record is somewhat deceptive because the Jags’ last two wins have come by forfeit, though they likely would have won at least one of the two with ease. The Jags have a solid defense and outstanding running backs and should battle with Denmark-Olar for second place.
The Big Game: Bamberg-Ehrhardt travels to Ridgeland on Oct. 18 and hosts Denmark-Olar on Nov. 1 in the biggest threats to the Red Raiders’ supremacy.
SCISA 1-3A REGION / OVERALL
Pinewood Prep 1-0 / 4-2
First Baptist 0-0 / 1-4
John Paul II 0-0 / 0-5
HHCA 0-1 / 3-3
The Favorite: Pinewood Prep made a resounding statement on Friday, routing HHCA by 40 to establish a clear pecking order, and no one else in the region can touch the Panthers.
The Contenders: HHCA is the clear-cut No. 2 team in the region and remains a contender to reach the state championship game, but the Eagles have work to do on defense, especially against the run.
The Big Game: The biggest game was already played, leaving little drama about how the top half of the region will shake out, but John Paul II’s game at First Baptist on Friday will settle the bottom half.
SCISA 1-2A REGION / OVERALL
Pee Dee Academy 2-0 / 6-0
Bethesda Academy 2-0 / 4-2
Hilton Head Prep 1-1 / 2-2
Dillon Christian 0-1 / 1-3-1
St. John’s Christian 0-1 / 1-5
Christian Academy (MB) 0-2 / 0-4
The Favorite: Bethesda Academy claimed the SCISA 2A title a year ago and has won four straight after two competitive losses to quality opponents to start the season. The defending champs have shown enough to warrant wearing the favorite tag until proven otherwise.
The Contenders: After a rare rebuilding year last fall, Pee Dee is back among the top contenders for a state title with a dangerous passing game, but Hilton Head Prep’s defense is coming off a stellar outing and hopes to crack the top tier with an upset Friday at Pee Dee.
The Big Game: Bethesda travels to Pee Dee on Oct. 25 in a showdown likely to determine the region title and give the winner the clearest path to the state championship game.
SCISA 2-1A REGION / OVERALL
Thomas Heyward 2-0 / 4-1
Beaufort Academy 2-0 / 5-2
Colleton Prep 1-2 / 4-3
Patrick Henry 1-1 / 3-3
Faith Christian 1-2 / 1-5
Andrew Jackson Acad. 0-2 / 1-6
The Favorite: Thomas Heyward looks the part of a state title contender and as long as Tony O’Banner is standing upright, the Rebels will be a problem.
The Contenders: Beaufort Academy has cemented itself as the 1B to THA’s 1A, and the Eagles have their own workhorse in Nych Underwood. Plus, they get the Rebels at home to end the season.
The Big Game: Several big ones have already been played, leaving one monumental one at Merritt Field on Nov. 1, assuming the Rebels and Eagles both take care of business between now and then.
SCISA 8-Man II REGION / OVERALL
Cathedral Academy 3-0 / 6-0
Jefferson Davis 5-0 / 6-1
Holly Hill Academy 3-1 / 4-1
The King’s Academy 2-3 / 2-3
Cross Schools 1-5 / 1-5
Conway Christian 0-5 / 0-5
The Favorite: Jefferson Davis is the defending champion and has not been seriously challenged by a SCISA opponent thus far. The Raiders’ run game is a handful to handle for any defense.
The Contenders: Holly Hill played JDA to a 36-18 decision in the first meeting and is capable of turning the tables, and Cathedral is the x-factor in the region, though the Generals haven’t faced either set of Raiders yet.The Big Game: Cathedral travels to Jefferson Davis on Friday with a chance to reestablish the hierarchy in the region.