LowcoSports Staff
Photo by Cameron Jacobi (MRHS Student Photojournalist)
It’s a lighter slate this week with a handful of Lowco squads taking their bye week during Fall Break, but we still have 11 games lined up in Week 7, and they’re all region matchups except for one Lowco-on-Lowco clash under the Sea Pines sun (or clouds, as the case may be).
If the weather deters you from getting out to your local stadium tonight, you can catch a doubleheader by streaming the WHHI-TV Independent Bowl on the station’s YouTube channel at 4 p.m. (pregame show at 3:30), then flipping over to Beaufort’s Own’s YouTube channel for a massive region clash between May River and Bishop England.
And, as always, you can join us at 9:30 p.m. for Lowco Pigskin Live, where we’ll hang out and round up all the scores and shout out the stars of Friday Night in the Lowco!
Colleton Co. (1-5, 0-1) at Beaufort (2-4, 0-1)
All-Time Series: Beaufort leads 15-6
Last Meeting: Beaufort W 23-0 (2024)
Streak: Beaufort won 7
Outlook: This is essentially a must-win game between teams at the bottom of the Region 6-4A pecking order who don’t have many potential W’s left on the schedule. Beaufort’s brief momentum was disrupted when Bluffton picked the Eagles apart last week, but they won’t have to deal with the same sort of arsenal against the Cougars. Colleton County has had flashes of success, but the Cougars have been too inconsistent. Both defenses have been solid, and the unit that can disrupt the opponent’s gameplan and create a key turnover will give its struggling offense the best chance for success Friday. The Eagles are riding their second seven-game win streak in the all-time series, which began in 2002. They also won seven straight from 2007-13 before back-to-back wins by the Cougars in 2014 and 2015.
Bishop England (5-1, 0-1) at May River (5-1, 1-0)
All-Time Series: May River leads 1-0
Last Meeting: May River W 35-8 (2024)
Streak: May River won 1
Outlook: The gauntlet that leads to the region title begins here for the Sharks, who handled the Battling Bishops with relative ease a year ago. Bishop England climbed as high as No. 3 in the Class 4A rankings before last week’s lopsided loss at Hilton Head, and they’ll be eager to turn the page and put their best foot forward. The Seahawks shredded the Bishops on the ground, and that bodes well for May River’s Slot-T scheme featuring powerful back Sean Mitchell, but the Sharks’ defense will face a difficult test against a balanced Bishop England offense led by senior quarterback Quinn Mahoney. May River pass rushers Zavier Polite, Michael Poole, and Charlie Crace will need to have a big night to disrupt Mahoney and help the Sharks win a shootout.
Hampton Co. (4-3, 1-0) at Lake Marion (3-4, 1-0)
All-Time Series: Hampton Co. leads 1-0 (4-0 incl. WHHS)
Last Meeting: Hampton Co. W 39-7 (2024)
Streak: Hampton Co./Wade Hampton won 4
Outlook: The Hurricanes endured a grueling non-region schedule in large part because they knew their region slate wouldn’t present the greatest challenge, but they’ll still need to be sharp to ensure they don’t slip up in Santee. Lake Marion is riding high after a 19-14 win over Barnwell, signifying a shift in the top half of the region, and the Gators’ defense has been excellent in back-to-back wins. They’ll have a tougher test Friday, and if Hampton’s offensive line does its job, it will be another big night for Jaylen Singletary and Co. as the Hurricanes continue their march toward a region title.
Whale Branch (2-4, 0-0) at Edisto (4-3, 0-1)
All-Time Series: Whale Branch leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Whale Branch W 20-18 (2024)
Streak: Whale Branch won 1
Outlook: The Warriors are coming off a much-needed bye week as they look to snap a three-game losing streak and start the region schedule with a big win. Whale Branch won a nail-biter at home last year, and this installment appears to be an even matchup, as well. The Warriors have shown some different looks on offense, so we’ll see if they come out with Jermon Bowers at quarterback or shift him to receiver and use freshman Mekhi Zachary under center. Regardless of who takes the snaps, the Warriors will need the big men up front to win the battle in the trenches to pull out a tough win on the road.
Denmark-Olar (1-6, 0-1) at Hardeeville (1-6, 0-2)
All-Time Series: Tied 1-1
Last Meeting: Denmark-Olar W 44-9 (2024)
Streak: Denmark-Olar won 1
Outlook: The Hurricanes are getting healthy just in time for a pivotal stretch of the schedule, and they need a win Friday to set up for a strong finish. Hardeeville can show different looks on offense with junior Emiliano Santiago or freshman Kyrin Jamison at quarterback, but both will be involved in the offense regardless. Look for Camari Brown to continue his explosive play on both sides of the ball, and if Kyrell Jamison returns from his shoulder injury, he is likely to make an impact in all phases and help the Hurricanes turn around their season against a struggling Vikings squad.
Allendale-Fairfax (0-6, 0-0) at Ridgeland (3-4, 2-0)
All-Time Series: Ridgeland/Jasper Co. leads 26-23
Last Meeting: Ridgeland W 12-0 (2024)
Streak: Ridgeland won 3
Outlook: This rivalry dates all the way back to 1957, covering several interactions of Ridgeland and Jasper County high schools, but it has been all Jaguars the last three years, and there’s no reason to expect that to change Friday night. The Jags got off to a sluggish start on offense, but the defense has been outstanding from the outset, and the special teams have risen to meet it. Quarterback Taishaun Smith got on track in the passing game last week, and the pair of Bam Crawford and Dashawn Albany have emerged as a threat on the ground. Barring something unexpected, Ridgeland is poised for its fourth straight win, setting up a region title clash with Bamberg-Ehrhardt.
First Baptist (1-6, 0-1) at HHCA (2-5, 0-1)
All-Time Series: HHCA leads 14-2
Last Meeting: HHCA W 44-14 (2024)
Streak: HHCA won 3
Outlook: This is a classic get-right game for an HHCA team that desperately needs one after a brutal stretch against elite opponents. Kres Langhals filled in at quarterback in last week’s lopsided loss at Bulloch Academy, and its unclear whether it will be Langhals or Reid McCollum under center Friday, but it shouldn’t matter. HHCA’s receivers should be able to find plenty of space to get open and make plays, and the Eagles’ defense should be able to feast against a weaker opponent after being put to the test the last three weeks.
John Paul II (3-3) at Hilton Head Prep (1-5)
All-Time Series: JPII leads 6-4
Last Meeting: JPII W 40-0 (2024)
Streak: JPII won 4
Outlook: It figures to be a soggy, breezy and chilly afternoon delight for the Dolphins’ homecoming matchup with Lowco rival John Paul II in WHHI-TV’s Independent Bowl. Whoever can endure for 48 minutes could take this one. Expect a battle in the trenches and hard-nosed football. HHP faces a tough task in looking to slow down a potent JPII offense led by dual-threat quarterback Alan Wolf and the thunder-and-lightning duo of Andrew Boyden and Jadon Inabinett in the backfield. The Dolphins will also need big performances from quarterback Wyatt Harmer and his supporting cast of Davis Cargill, Brodie Hausher and Finn Rooney to keep pace, and they’ll need to take care of the ball and minimize unforced errors.
Patrick Henry (1-5, 0-2) at Colleton Prep (5-1, 2-0)
All-Time Series: CPA leads 7-3
Last Meeting: CPA W 30-19 (2024)
Streak: CPA won 5
Outlook: Last year’s meeting was the first since 1999, and the War Hawks held off the Patriots in a competitive battle, but this one doesn’t figure to be as evenly-matched. Patrick Henry is limping in on a four-game losing streak and has struggled to find consistency on offense. That doesn’t bode well against a Colleton Prep team that has been entirely in sync on offense with dual-threat quarterback Cale Owens leading the way. The weather could neutralize the War Hawks’ weapons somewhat, and if the Patriots can force some turnovers, that’s likely their best chance of staying in the game.
Andrew Jackson Academy (1-5, 0-1) at Thomas Heyward (1-3, 1-1)
All-Time Series: THA leads 2-0
Last Meeting: THA W 48-6 (2024)
Streak: THA won 2
Outlook: The Rebels found their footing last week after an unfortunate layoff due to forfeits and weather cancellations. The break gave them a chance to install an offense built around Josh Gibson at quarterback and using Tony O’Banner in a more diverse role, and the result was Thomas Heyward’s best performance of the season. Gibson and O’Banner should be able to pick up where they left off against a struggling Andrew Jackson squad and continue to evolve into a dangerous postseason opponent.
Cross Schools (0-6) at Cathedral Academy (3-4)
All-Time Series: Cathedral leads 3-0
Last Meeting: Cathedral W 36-16 (Sept. 5)
Streak: Cathedral won 3
Outlook: The Stingrays are still seeking their first win under first-year coach Rico McCoy, but they’ve shown real progress each week and gave The King’s Academy a real fight last Friday. The first meeting with the Generals on Sept. 5 was Cross’ most competitive game the first time through the round-robin, so if the Stingrays can make a couple more big plays this time around, they’ll have a real shot at pulling off the road win.