The skies are clear. The air is unseasonably crisp for late August. The slate is full. The game is on.
Week 1 of the high school football season descends upon the Lowco this evening with a baker’s dozen games teed up, including a trio of Lowco-on-Lowco matchups — and one of them is a region rivalry.
Team Lowco will be out in force tonight, with staffers at Bluffton, May River, John Paul II, Whale Branch, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Heyward. If you’ll be at another game we don’t have staffed, let us hear from you so you can keep us in the loop, and we’ll see everyone on the Lowco Media Network at 9:30pm for Lowco Pigskin Live, bringing you all the scores and shouting out all the stars of another Lowco Friday Night!
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Beaufort (0-1) at Greenwood (0-0)
All-Time Series: Greenwood leads 4-0
Last Meeting: Greenwood W 37-18 (2024)
Streak: Greenwood won 4
Outlook: It’s a short week for the Eagles, who put up quite a fight in a 17-6 loss to Fort Dorchester on Monday, while Greenwood comes in fresh for its season-opener. That combined with a talent-laden lineup for Greenwood, the No. 6 team in Class 5A, puts Bryce Lybrand’s team in a tough spot. Beaufort’s defense looks legit, and that might be enough to keep the Eagles in it for the second straight game, but unless the offense unlocked something in a short week of practice this week, Beaufort might not have enough bang to bring home the win.
— Justin Jarrett
Andrew Jackson (0-0) at Bluffton (1-0)
All-Time Series: Bluffton leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Bluffton W 35-13 (2024)
Streak: Bluffton won 1
Outlook: The Bobcats rolled to a comfortable win over the Volunteers last season in the first meeting between the programs, and with an even more electric collection of talent on the offensive side of the ball this year, Bluffton should be poised to put up big numbers again in its home opener. QB Aedan McCarthy has an array of weapons at his disposal with D1-bound receivers Carnell Warren and Amare Patterson leading the charge, and the Bobcats’ defense pitched a shutout last week at Whale Branch. Bluffton should win big.
— Justin Jarrett
Colleton Co. (0-1) at Woodland (0-0)
All-Time Series: Woodland leads 5-0
Last Meeting: Woodland W 32-14 (2024)
Streak: Woodland won 5
Outlook: The Wolverines have dominated the series, including three wins by a combined 83 points over the past three seasons, so the Cougars would love nothing more than to spoil Woodland’s home opener, but they’ll have to play much better than they did in a season-opening 59-13 loss to Hampton County. Colleton County will have to be significantly more disciplined in all phases and shore up its tackling on defense to stay in the game until the fourth quarter and have a chance at converting one of the more manageable matchups on the schedule into a confidence-building win.
— Justin Jarrett
Hilton Head (1-0) at James Island (1-0)
All-Time Series: James Island leads 14-11
Last Meeting: James Island W 24-0
Streak: James Island won 4
Outlook: This was the matchup a year ago that showed us the Seahawks had something special brewing. Hilton Head’s defense kept it in the game despite a short-handed offense failing to hold up its end of the bargain. This Hilton Head team led by a strong junior class with ironman Thaddeus Czarnecki at the front of the pack should be at full strength and prepared to trade punches with the Trojans, but Jamar McKoy’s squad is loaded again. A road win would be monstrous for the Seahawks, but even a competitive loss could portend great things this season.
— Justin Jarrett
West Ashley (0-0) at May River (1-0)
All Time Series: West Ashley leads 2-1
Last Meeting: May River W 28-21 (2024)
Streak: May River won 1
Outlook: The anticipation should be high for the Sharks’ 2025 home opener after a dominant road win at Airport. It’ll be the debut game for new West Ashley head coach Rashad Graham, leading a Wildcats group that was competitive a year ago in 5A football. The Sharks recorded a strong 276 yards on the ground in this matchup last year and will rely on feature back Andrew Johnson and a promising offensive line led by two-way studs Cam Jordan and Charlie Crace up front. Another strong performance from Zavier Polite and a ferocious Shark defense could be the difference in what should be another tight one at the Tank on Friday night.
— Wes Kerr
Battery Creek (0-1) at John Paul II (1-1)
All-Time Series: Battery Creek leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Battery Creek W 41-26 (2024)
Streak: Battery Creek won 1
Outlook: For an ultimately meaningless game across classifications, this one feels an awful lot like a must-win for both teams. The Dolphins are coming off a 36-20 loss at Hilton Head Christian Academy and expected to take at least one win from their two SCISA opponents to open the season. The Golden Warriors impressed in a season-opening win over Colleton Prep but were overmatched last week at Laurence Manning. Both teams look to run first, so the team that takes care of the ball and takes care of business on the line of scrimmage is likely to put a huge tally in the win column.
— Justin Jarrett
Hampton Co. (1-0) at Allendale-Fairfax (0-1)
All-Time Series: Hampton Co. leads 2-0 (A-F leads 40-27 incl. Wade Hampton)
Last Meeting: Hampton Co. W 33-0 (2024)
Streak: Hampton Co. won 2 (7 incl. WHHS)
Outlook: The Hurricanes roll into Week 1 after storming past Colleton County 59-13 on Monday. Desmond Mathis, Jaylen Singletary, Karinton Sabb, and new starting QB Tarell Grant were all vital senior contributors in the vicious win. The Tigers are looking to turn things around after a winless campaign a year ago and have a new coaching stuff, but after last week’s demoralizing 44-0 loss to Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, they don’t appear prepared for the storm blowing into town Friday night.
— Jeremy Orr
Hardeeville (1-0) at Whale Branch (0-1)
All-Time Series: Tied 2-2
Last Meeting: Whale Branch W 42-0 (2024)
Streak: Whale Branch won 2
Outlook: The Warriors took out their frustrations on the Hurricanes a year ago on the heels of a lopsided loss to Bluffton, and they’ll have the same motivations when they welcome Hardeeville to Seabrook for the first time since 2010. Whale Branch struggled to find an offensive rhythm and failed to contain Bluffton’s dangerous receiving corps in a 49-0 rout last week, but this matchup will be far more balanced. The Hurricanes have some big-play threats in Camari Brown, who found the end zone four times in a 43-32 win over Bethune-Bowman, and Kyrell Jamison, whose kickoff and punt return touchdowns helped Hardeeville hold on. The team that takes care of the ball and avoids self-inflicted mistakes should pick up a big non-region win.
— Justin Jarrett
Ridgeland (0-1) at East Clarendon (1-0)
All-Time Series: East Clarendon leads 1-0
Last Meeting: East Clarendon W 32-14 (2024)
Streak: East Clarendon won 1
Outlook: The Wolverines’ defense was fierce a year ago, holding the Jaguars to 142 yards of total offense with the help of a ball-control offense that limited Ridgeland’s chances to score. And that was a Jaguars’ offense that was loaded with talent, much of which has since graduated. Ridgeland’s defense looks to be ahead of schedule and pitched a second-half shutout in last week’s 14-0 loss to Eau Claire, but until the offense develops around quarterback Taishaun Smith, the Jaguars are going to have a tough time getting over the top against quality programs like East Clarendon, especially on the road.
— Justin Jarrett
HHCA (1-1) at Bethesda Academy (0-0)
All Time Series: HHCA leads 8-2
Last Meeting: HHCA W 34-14 (2024)
Streak: HHCA won 6
Outlook: An exciting clash of perennial SCISA state title contenders awaits across the Georgia border. After a dazzling performance from Reid McCollum showing off brilliance with his arm and his leg against Battery Creek, the Eagles look primed to bring their high-octane offensive rhythm on the road. HHCA may have its hands full with blazing Blazer standout Raleigh Wesley, who plays both ways and is a versatile presence on the offense with lightning-quick speed. If the Eagles can find some early stops defensively with their athletic duo of Jackson Richardson and Kres Langhals at the forefront, McCollum will have his chances to show off again under center and put this game away quickly.
— Wes Kerr
St. John’s Christian (0-2) at Beaufort Academy (2-0)
All Time Series: St. John’s Christian leads 7-5
Last Meeting: Beaufort Academy 35, St. John’s Christian 28
Streak: BA W2
Outlook: With two tremendous wins in hand to begin the new campaign, Beaufort Academy heads back home to Lady’s Island, eying a 3-0 start in a matchup with St. John’s Christian. And the Eagle faithful should be in store for a heck of a show. It’ll be hard to follow up his birthday game last week, but expect another terrific showing for Nych Underwood against a Cavaliers team that surrendered 66 points against Colleton Prep. There should be ample time for mini Nic Shuford in the pocket to dial up some deep throws to breakout wide receiver Devin Fripp and fellow emerging senior standout Jace Paulk. Look for BA to stay hot and ride its early-season momentum for the first win on its home field in 2025.
— Wes Kerr
Clarendon Hall (0-1) at Patrick Henry (0-1)
All-Time Series: Patrick Henry leads 21-13
Last Meeting: Patrick Henry W 42-10 (2024)
Streak: Patrick Henry won 5
Outlook: After a season opening loss to Academic Magnet, the Patriots look to bounce back against Clarendon Hall. The Saints come in after an 0-10 2024 campaign, and a loss to start the season last week puts their skid at 12 straight. While the Patriots made some mistakes and gave up some big plays in their first game, they showed they have weapons on the offensive side of the ball. With Luke Sobey, Rylin Brunson, and Diego Santana in the backfield along with Tray Adkins and Daivon Glover at receiver, the Patriots have the pieces on offense to put up points. Look for even more offensive power when senior receiver Jacob Corley gets back in the lineup from injury. When Clarendon Hall and Patrick Henry get together, it’s always a battle and it can get chippy quick. Patrick Henry has a young team, but should show improvement in this rivalry game. Expect a close one in Estill.
— Jeffrey Strickland
Colleton Prep (1-1) at Thomas Heyward (0-0)
All-Time Series: Thomas Heyward leads 20-10
Last Meeting: Thomas Heyward W 33-0 (2024)
Streak: Thomas Heyward won 5
Outlook: The Rebels dominated this game last year with the help of a strong senior class led by Nic Robinson and junior phenom Tony O’Banner. Thomas Heyward looks to continue their success with a younger core around O’Banner. They will be taking on a much more experienced Colleton Prep team led by junior QB Cale Owens. The War Hawks rebounded from a disappointing loss two weeks ago to John Paul II and aired out their frustrations on St. John’s Christian, pounding out a 66-24 win in Moncks Corner. Look for the War Hawks to run a balanced offense against a Rebels team that has yet to play a game this season. As for the Rebels, they will do what they do best, ground and pound with Tony O’Touchdown leading this young team.
— Max Arraj