It was just an appetizer, but the opening week of high school football in the Lowco was a tasty treat that left us hungry for more.
We had sensational performances on the ground, through the air, and in the return game, plus a defense that pitched a shutout, and we capped it off with a Donnybrook that went late into the night.
Here’s what went down in the Week Before Zero. It’s Lowco First Down.
Beaufort Academy 36, Hilton Head Prep 0
It was scoreless into the second quarter before Nic Shuford Jr. went 8-for-10 passing for 184 yards and connected on a pair of bombs for touchdowns to Devin Fripp and Jace Paulk, and Nych Underwood rushed for 147 yards on 11 carries, including a long touchdown run for a 22-0 halftime lead. After a lightning delay, Fripp opened the second half with a 91-yard kick return touchdown, and Paulk hauled in another touchdown pass from reserve quarterback Ben Davis to cap the scoring. Paulk had five catches for 140 yards and two scores.
Next Week: BA (1-0) at Carolina Academy; HHP (0-1) vs. St. Andrew’s
Photo by Justin Jarrett / LowcoSports
John Paul II 31, Colleton Prep 22
Alan Wolf bookended a breakthrough performance for JPII’s offense with a pair of long touchdown runs and connected with freshman phenom Jadon Inabinett for a long touchdown pass to help the Golden Warriors stun the War Hawks in a shootout. Wolf scampered to the end zone on the second play from scrimmage, and the teams traded touchdowns early before JPII opened up a 24-14 lead on a Jackson Reilley field goal. Colleton Prep rallied to pull within 24-22 early in the fourth quarter, but Wolf went 60 yards to paydirt on the next offensive play, and JPII’s defense sealed the win.
Next Week: JPII (1-0) at Laurence Manning; CPA (0-1) at St. John’s Christian
Photo by Justin Jarrett / LowcoSports
Porter-Gaud 46, HHCA 21
The Eagles withstood an early onslaught from the Cyclones and pulled within 19-14 and drove into the red zone looking for the go-ahead score midway through the third quarter, but their hopes of pulling off a massive road win faded quickly after a turnover on downs. Porter-Gaud quickly responded to extend the lead and tacked on two more touchdowns before Tommy Gehm’s 95-yard kickoff return.
Next Week: HHCA (0-1) vs. Battery Creek
The King’s Academy 33, Cross Schools 0
The Stingrays showed improvement on defense in their debut under coach Rico McCoy, an All-America linebacker at Tennessee, but they couldn’t find the end zone on the road in Florence.
Next Week: Cross (0-1) at Jefferson Davis