Team Lowco has dubbed Week 3 of the high school football season as “Statement Week,” with a number of high-profile games including a battle of unbeatens for Lowco supremacy (for now).
The big one is in Hampton County, where the top-ranked team in Class 2A hosts the buzzworthy Bluffton Bobcats, who are looking to improve upon their No. 10 ranking in Class 4A and prove they’re a real contender. Plus we have a couple of games in which someone will earn their first win, and perhaps turn around their season before it’s too late.
Here’s the full slate across the Lowco in Week 3:
Bluffton (3-0) at Hampton Co. (3-0), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: Bluffton leads 5-4 (Hampton Co. leads 1-0 since 2023)
Last Meeting: Hampton Co. W 50-36 (2024)
Streak: Hampton Co. won 3
Outlook: A one-time region rivalry has enjoyed a revival after the Hurricanes blew into The Den and stunned the Bobcats a year ago, and with Hampton County atop the Class 2A rankings and Bluffton aiming to climb up from No. 10 in Class 4A, the stage is set for an epic rematch. The Bobcats are banged up in the backfield, so former receiver Lucas Gates is expected to fill in at running back, but that doesn’t diminish the tall task the Hurricanes face in trying to contain Aedan McCarthy and a stable of dynamic receivers that includes Carnell Warren and Amare Patterson. Bluffton’s defense will be tested, as well, and charged with stopping Jaylen Singletary, who was the star of last year’s win. The Bobcats haven’t won in Varnville since a 32-19 win over Wade Hampton in 2016, and they’ll need to play a complete game in a hostile environment to change that Friday. — Justin Jarrett
Hardeeville (1-2) at Hilton Head (2-1), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: HHIHS leads 3-0
Last Meeting: HHIHS W 41-8 (2024)
Streak: HHIHS won 3
Outlook: The Seahawks bounced back quickly from a loss at James Island, and their quarterback did, too, with Derrick Raniszewski throwing a pair of touchdown passes in a win at Aiken a week after suffering a broken nose. That allowed backup Jeremiah Walters to keep making big plays in the receiving game to complement the backfield duo of Thaddeus Czarnecki and Jayvin Risher. Camari Brown has scored eight touchdowns and impacted all three phases through three games, and quarterback Emiliano Santiago is a dual-threat who could keep Hilton Head’s defense busy on Friday. Kyrell Jamison has been a big factor for Hardeeville, as well, with a pair of special teams touchdowns in a win against Bethune Bowman to kickoff the season. The team that has the best day in the trenches and can get a stop late defensively should win this battle, and Hilton Head’s superior depth is likely to play a big factor. — Marcus Walsh
Beaufort (0-3) at Goose Creek (0-3), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: Goose Creek leads 18-16
Last Meeting: Goose Creek W 27-12 (2024)
Streak: Goose Creek won 1
Outlook: With just a handful of weeks to go before the region opener against Bluffton, the Beaufort Eagles are running out of time to get the offense on track. They’ll get another chance on Friday as they head to Goose Creek to face off against the Gators in a matchup of winless teams. Both teams lost close games to Fort Dorchester, so expect this one to be a tight game, as well. The Eagles will rely on their defense to show up on the road with big senior defensive end Chaz Brown looking to put pressure on young Gator quarterback Ty’Vai Deas. The Eagles haven’t scored 10 points yet in a game, and they’ll probably have to if they want to pencil in their first win of the season. — Wes Kerr
May River (2-1) at Brookland-Cayce (0-2), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: May River leads 1-0
Last Meeting: May River W 35-13 (2024)
Streak: May River won 1
Outlook: The second game of a two-week road swing looms this week for the May River Sharks, who sit an extra point and a stop away from being 3-0. They’ll take on a Brookland-Cayce squad that is clawing for its first win of the year, albeit coming off two difficult matchups against River Bluff and White Knoll. The Sharks will need to perform in the trenches and pave the way for Andrew Johnson and Sean Mitchell to get loose against a B-C group that should come out hungry from the outset. Michael Poole has been a breakout star at linebacker for the Sharks this year and should be critical to help sniff out some plays and cause some early frustration for the Bearcats’ offense. This should be a dogfight on the road and would become a nice win to have in the Sharks’ pocket with two games to go before region play. — Wes Kerr
Stall (1-1) at Colleton Co. (0-3), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: Colleton Co. leads 4-1
Last Meeting: Colleton Co. W 50-0 (2024)
Streak: Colleton Co. won 2
Outlook: The Cougars haven’t been able to find their footing on offense, but this matchup cured that issue a year ago and could be just what Adam Kinloch’s team needs after a rough start to the season. The Warriors are improved from last year and notched a tough win over Academic Magnet, but they’re not on the level of the competition Colleton County has faced thus far. The Cougars’ defense has held its own the last two weeks and should be able to set the offense up for success and spur a homecoming win in Walterboro. — Justin Jarrett
Bethune-Bowman (0-3) at Battery Creek (0-3), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: Battery Creek leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Battery Creek W 41-0 (2024)
Streak: Battery Creek won 1
Outlook: The Dolphins have shown steady improvement over the first three games, losing each of their last two by seven points or less, and the offense came to life in last week’s 34-27 loss to Keenan. With the winless Mohawks in Burton for homecoming, this could be the night Battery Creek breaks through into the win column. The Dolphins should have an edge in the trenches, and if they can take care of the ball and avoid untimely penalties, Ed Susi’s squad should find the win column. — Justin Jarrett
Whale Branch (2-1) at Woodland (2-0), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: Woodland leads 4-1
Last Meeting: Woodland W 42-13 (2024)
Streak: Woodland won 3
Outlook: Whale Branch has gotten off to a much better start than anyone outside of Seabrook expected. After a tough loss to Bluffton, the Warriors have won two in a row against Hardeeville and Ridgeland, but now they go on the road to Dorchester to face the Woodland Wolverines. Woodland is coming into this game after wins over Colleton County and Bethune-Bowman. This is the first challenging road game for Whale Branch this season, and Woodland is not an easy place to play. Jermon Bowers is expected to be back on Friday for the Warriors, and that will be a big help for Whale Branch. Look for both teams to try to run the ball down each other’s throat, so the play in the trenches will be key. This Warriors team has surprised everyone, and if I’veon Watson and the rest of the big fellas up front keep dominating, they could continue to be surprising in Dorchester on Friday. — Max Arraj
Manning (1-2) at Ridgeland (0-3), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: Manning leads 3-0
Last Meeting: Manning W 35-0 (2024)
Streak: Manning won 3
Outlook: This Ridgeland team has struggled to find any sort of offensive success so far this season. Through three games, the Jaguars have yet to score a point — as in zero. Coming off an 8-0 loss at home last week to Whale Branch, the Jags need a get-right win, but that is not going to be easy against a strong Manning program. The Monarchs have started their season with three tough opponents in Crestwood, Scott’s Branch, and Lake Marion. Look for Jags QB Taishaun Smith to make some plays downfield if he can get enough time in the pocket. Also look for Palaal Crawford to do some work in the ground game for the Jags. This team needs to find ways to put up some numbers on the board and give them some momentum, otherwise it could be a long season for Ridgeland. — Max Arraj
John Paul II (2-2) at HHCA (1-2), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: HHCA leads 9-1
Last Meeting: HHCA W 42-6 (2024)
Streak: HHCA won 8
Outlook: Based on the recent past, you never wanted to be the team facing Ron Peduzzi coming off his bye week. It’s the time of the year that he makes the most strides with his group, and they should be primed for a strong performance hosting rival John Paul II for a non-region game. The Golden Warriors have overachieved to start the year, surpassing last season’s win total just three games into the season thanks to the prowess of junior quarterback Alan Wolf and an improved defensive core led by junior Sean Phalen. Shayne Milligan’s squad is far from a pushover this year and will battle on Friday, but a rested Reid McCollum should find ample opportunities to connect with Joey Houpt and former Golden Warrior receiver Thomas Gehm downfield. Even with an improved JPII side, it’s hard to go against the numbers, and HHCA coach Ron Peduzzi is 8-0 against the Golden Warriors with all eight games decided by 11 points or more and the Eagles winning four of them by 30 points or more. — Wes Kerr
Beaufort Academy (4-0) at Lee Academy (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: BA leads 1-0
Last Meeting: BA W 35-20 (2024)
Streak: BA won 1
Outlook: Winners of four straight to begin the year, Nic Shuford’s Eagles head over to Lee Academy, a familiar state championship foe from his time at Thomas Heyward. We’ve seen that level of former Heyward dominance so far this year at BA, with the Eagles putting up 40 or more points in all but one game to start the campaign. Beaufort Academy’s versatile attack should be on full display on the road, with Nic Shuford Jr. becoming more and more comfortable in running his offense. The Cavaliers might land a few punches early coming off a nice win over Dillon Christian, but BA should have more in its arsenal on both sides to pull away and improve to 5-0. — Wes Kerr
Bethesda Academy (2-0) at Hilton Head Prep (0-3), 4 p.m.
All-Time Series: Bethesda leads 8-3
Last Meeting: Bethesda W 42-12 (2024)
Streak: Bethesda won 3
Outlook: It’s been a rough start to the season for the Dolphins, and it won’t get any easier this afternoon when the red-hot Bethesda Blazers visit Sea Pines. The Blazers have torched two Lowco opponents in a row, putting up 50 or more points in wins over HHCA and John Paul II, and the Dolphins’ defense didn’t show much resistance in last week’s loss to Dorchester Academy. Bethesda can be attacked through the air, but Hilton Head Prep hasn’t gotten much going in the passing game thus far, so unless things change dramatically, the Blazers should maintain their dominance in the series and earn their eighth win in the last nine meetings with the Dolphins. — Justin Jarrett
Patrick Henry (1-2) at Dorchester Academy (2-0), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: Dorchester leads 12-8
Last Meeting: Dorchester W 19-13 (2024)
Streak: Dorchester won 1
Outlook: Stopping the run hasn’t been the Patriots’ strong point thus far, and that will need to change quickly if they want to challenge a tough Dorchester Academy team on the road. Senior running back John Whetsell wears down opposing defenses and ran all over Hilton Head Prep last week, and if PHA sells out to limit him, senior quarterback John Quattlebaum can hurt them through the air. Even if the defense does its job, the Patriots will need to find more on offense than they’ve shown thus far. They’ve leaned too heavily on quarterback Rylin Brunson’s legs and need to be more multi-dimensional to keep defenses honest. — Justin Jarrett
Colleton Prep (3-1) at Calhoun Academy (3-0), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: Calhoun leads 9-8
Last Meeting: Calhoun W 55-28 (2024)
Streak: Calhoun won 2
Outlook: This should be an exciting game with two dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks going at it. Calhoun Academy is coming into this game undefeated with wins over Northside Christian, Greenwood Christian, and Thomas Sumter Academy. Colleton Prep is coming in on a three-game win streak with dominating wins over St. Johns Christian, Thomas Heyward, and Andrew Jackson Academy. Look for the Cavaliers and the War Hawks to run similar offensive schemes built around a dual-threat quarterback. Look for QB Colt Layton to lead Calhoun, while Cale Owens leads Colleton. Layton has been averaging 117 yards per game on the ground with three passing touchdowns, while Cale Owens has been averaging 95 yards on the ground with seven passing touchdowns. This one should go down to the wire and could go either way. It’s gonna be a fun game in St. Matthews. — Max Arraj
Thomas Heyward (0-2) at Williamsburg Academy (3-0), 7:30 p.m.
All-Time Series: THA leads 14-8
Last Meeting: THA W 23-8 (2024)
Streak: THA won 1
Outlook: It seems like an eternity has passed since the Rebels smacked the Stallions 23-8 in last year’s SCISA 1A championship game, avenging a 28-26 home loss in the regular season. The teams have been headed in different directions in 2025, as Williamsburg has reestablished itself as one of the favorites in SCISA 1A while the Rebels have stumbled to an 0-2 start. THA has serious deficiencies to address on defense, as evidenced by a 41-27 loss to Orangeburg Prep last week despite four rushing touchdowns from Tony O’Banner. Don’t count the Rebels out yet, but the Stallions are much further along at this stage in the season, and they’re tough to beat at home. — Justin Jarrett
Holly Hill Academy (3-0) at Cross Schools (0-3), 7 p.m.
All-Time Series: HHA leads 2-0
Last Meeting: HHA W 54-8 (2024)
Streak: HHA won 2
Outlook: The Stingrays turned in their best effort of the season in last week’s 36-16 loss to Cathedral Academy, but the competition steps up a bit with the Raiders coming to town. Holly Hill won two lopsided meetings a year ago, including a 54-8 rout in the most recent matchup, and the Raiders have picked up where they left off last season, so it could be another tough night for coach Rico McCoy’s team. — Justin Jarrett