Let’s face it: Most of us had this week marked on our calendars before the season even started. We’ve dubbed it Rivalry Week, and with good reason.
It’s a light slate in Week 5 of the high school football season, but what it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for with high stakes. Bragging rights are on the line at Hilton Head, where the Seahawks look for a second straight win over Bluffton; in Burton, where Battery Creek and Whale Branch meet for their annual crosstown clash; and in Ridgeland for the first Jasper County grudge match in 14 years. Plus, the region title is on the line in Walterboro with Colleton Prep and Beaufort Academy squaring off.
We’ll have members of Team Lowco scattered throughout the region tonight, and Wes Kerr will be live in studio for Lowco Pigskin Live, kicking off between 9:30 and 10 p.m. and taking you through the final whistles.
So study up on the matchups, and we’ll see you then.
Bluffton (4-1) at Hilton Head (4-1)
All-Time Series: HHIHS leads 12-9
Last Meeting: HHIHS W 42-7 (2024)
Streak: HHIHS won 1
Outlook: This one is always circled on the calendars, but it seems spicier than usual this year, not least of all because the winner takes an inside track on a region title. The Bobcats have something to prove after getting flattened 42-7 a year ago — and after a 35-20 loss at Lucy Beckham last week — but their reinforced air-raid offense is a problem to defend. The Seahawks followed Bluffton’s lead by rolling through Hampton County last week, and a young but experienced secondary has proven to be tough against the pass. Six of the last 12 meetings have been decided by one possession, including back-to-back games decided by four points or less in 2022 and 2023, so buckle up, because this one is likely to go down to the wire.
Georgetown (0-4) at May River (3-1)
All-Time Series: First meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
Streak: N/A
Outlook: This is one of several games on this week’s schedule that were supposed to be rematches, but the first leg was lost to Hurricane Helene’s wrath a year ago. The Sharks are poised to bring their own wrath in the form of the Slot-T offense, which should be running at full strength after a week off. Look for Sean Mitchell and Andrew Johnson to pile up yards on the ground, and May River’s defense will be gunning for a shutout.
Whale Branch (2-3) at Battery Creek (1-4)
All-Time Series: Whale Branch leads 9-4
Last Meeting: Whale Branch W 45-12 (2023)
Streak: Whale Branch won 1
Outlook: The Dolphins interrupted the Warriors’ dominance by snapping a five-game skid in the series with a 19-13 win in 2022, but the Warriors turned the tide back in their favor in 2023 before last year’s meeting was wiped out by bad weather. Both teams are in need of a win to buoy them ahead of region play, as Whale Branch has suffered two straight lopsided losses following a promising start, while Battery Creek had its momentum halted with a blowout loss at Beaufort High last week. Expect a low-scoring contest between two strong defenses with just a few key plays deciding the outcome.
Hampton Co. (3-2) at Christ Church (3-1)
All-Time Series: First meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
Streak: N/A
Outlook: This highly-anticipated matchups was lost to Helene, but this year’s delayed installment should be worth the wait. The Hurricanes are still ranked fifth in Class 2A despite back-to-back losses to Blufton and Hilton Head, and they face another tough test in a Christ Church team that is flirting with the top 10 in Class 3A. After being shut out by SCISA power Hammond to open the season, the Cavaliers have put up 37 or more points in three straight wins behind quarterback Judd Windham and running back Michael Martin II, so Hampton’s defense will be tested again. The Hurricanes will need another big night from Jaylen Singletary, and likely some big plays in the passing game, to win a shootout on the road.
Hardeeville (1-4) at Ridgeland (1-4)
All-Time Series: Ridgeland leads 4-1
Last Meeting: Ridgeland W 54-0 (2011)
Streak: Ridgeland won 3
Outlook: The first head-to-head matchup of these Jasper County rivals since 2011 carries extra weight because it’s a pivotal region contest — and homecoming for the Jaguars, who finally got their offense rolling last week in a 70-20 rout of Burke. The Hurricanes are more dynamic on that side of the ball with the versatile Camari Brown leading the charge, and the introduction of freshman quarterback Kyrin Jamison to the gameplan makes them a matchup problem for Ridgeland. Look for turnovers to play a key role, and the team that takes care of the ball will be in a great position to claim county bragging rights.
HHCA (2-3) at Pinewood Prep (4-1)
All-Time Series: HHCA leads 5-3
Last Meeting: Pinewood W 60-20 (2024)
Streak: Pinewood won 1
Outlook: The Panthers’ blowout win a year ago snapped HHCA’s five-game win streak in the series and marked Pinewood Prep’s first win over the Eagles since 2003. It might also have ushered in a new era in which HHCA is perpetually hunting the Panthers to try to reclaim region supremacy, and the Eagles might not have the ammunition to take them down this year. HHCA’s defense has had difficulty slowing down strong offenses, and Pinewood’s certainly fits the bill. It will take a huge night from Reid McCollum and the Eagles’ offense to put up enough points to stay competitive in this one.
John Paul II (2-3) at St. John’s Christian (0-4)
All-Time Series: JPII leads 1-0
Last Meeting: JPII W 62-42 (2015)
Streak: JPII won 1
Outlook: This week’s game is vital for both teams, as the Golden Warriors look to get to .500 as a squad, while the Cavaliers look to get in the win column for the first time this season. This will be an interesting matchup between two teams who haven’t squared off in 10 years, but it shapes up well for JPII. The Cavaliers have a solid ground game led by Dor Reichley, but they are one-dimensional on offense, and their defense hasn’t put up much resistance. Look for JPII’s ground game to get going early and the defense to take care of the rest.
Hilton Head Prep (1-4) at Dillon Christian (1-4)
All-Time Series: HHP leads 2-1
Last Meeting: HHP W 29-8 (2024)
Streak: HHP won 2
Outlook: Buoyed by their first win of the season last week at Augusta Christian, Hilton Head Prep has a shot for another road win as the Dolphins look to turn around their season. Wyatt Harmer had a big game with his legs and his arm last week, and he’s poised for another strong showing against a Dillon Christian defense that hasn’t shown its teeth yet. If the Dolphins can control the line of scrimmage like they did a year ago, they’ll pick up a key region win and position themselves to make the playoffs. Last year’s meeting was first since 2005, when Ron Peduzzi was roaming the Dolphins’ sideline.
Beaufort Academy (5-1) at Colleton Prep (5-1)
All-Time Series: BA leads 3-2
Last Meeting: BA W 39-20 (2024)
Streak: BA won 1
Outlook: This matchup between the Eagles and War Hawks may be one of the best games we see this season. This is a marquee matchup, that both teams and fanbases had circled on their schedule, and as expected, the region title is on the line. Two juggernaut squads going head-to-head, seeing who will be deemed superior. Dual-threat quarterback Cale Owens has been on fire for the War Hawks, while Nych Underwood looks to get back on track after being stifled by Dorchester Academy a week ago. Both defenses have their work cut out for them, and the unit that can make a big stop or create a key turnover could be the difference.
Jefferson Davis (3-2) at Cross Schools (0-5)
All-Time Series: JDA leads 3-0
Last Meeting: JDA W 52-6 (2025)
Streak: JDA won 3
Outlook: This has been a mismatch over the past two seasons, as the upstart Stingrays haven’t had the manpower to compete with the Raiders, who are an established SCISA 8-man power. Cross has shows progress — after losing two meetings by an average of 56 points last season, JDA won the first meeting this year 52-6 on Aug. 22. Don’t expect the Stingrays to flip that result, but if they can close the gap it will show continued improvement under first-year coach Rico McCoy.
Photo by Amber Hewitt | The Island News