Photo by Myles Hickey (HHIHS Student Photojournalist)
Incredibly, we’re already into Week 8 of the high school football season, and our time under the Friday Night Lights is growing scarce.
The region standings are starting to shake out, so every game from here on out is massive, but a few on this week’s slate are extra massive — May River hosts Hilton Head with first place in Region 6-4A on the line, Ridgeland could clinch a region title if the Jags somehow stun Bamberg-Ehrhardt, and Colleton Prep and Beaufort Academy will finally finish what they started three weeks ago and give us some more clarity in SCISA 1A.
Here’s a look at all the games on the Week 8 slate around the Lowco. Join us live at 9:30pm for Lowco Pigskin Live, where we’ll round up all the scores and shout out the stars from another exciting Friday night of high school football in the Lowco!
Beaufort (3-4, 1-1) at Bishop England (5-2, 0-2)
All-Time Series: Beaufort leads 8-5
Last Meeting: Bishop England W 31-14 (2024)
Streak: Bishop England won 1
Outlook: The Eagles picked up their first region win and their third victory in four games when they shut out Colleton County last week, and they’ll need a similarly dominant defensive performance to stay in the game on Daniel Island — but they’ll likely need to unlock something on offense to finish the job. Designed runs and scrambles by quarterback Braydon Moyd-Smalls have been the Eagles’ primary source of offense lately, and that probably won’t be enough to outscore a balanced Bishop England squad, despite the Battling Bishops’ offensive struggles the past two games. Beaufort will need some big plays in the passing game from Qualeek Isnar, and they’ll need Chaz Brown and the defensive front to get after quarterback Quinn Mahoney and stay on its assignments. Last year’s meeting was the first since 1987, with the Bishops claiming a 31-14 win in The Nest.
Bluffton (5-2, 1-1) at Colleton Co. (1-6, 0-2)
All-Time Series: Bluffton leads 7-4
Last Meeting: Bluffton W 34-3 (2024)
Streak: Bluffton won 4
Outlook: This feels like a mismatch that could get out of reach early for the Cougars. Bluffton’s offense has lived up to the hype, as Aedan McCarthy has been able to use his legs effectively on the rare occasions none of his stable of dangerous receivers can get open, and the Cougars aren’t equipped to contain Carnell Warren and Co. for four quarters. Colleton County’s defense has held its own in most matchups this season and is capable of keeping the Cougars in games, but Colleton has put up only 63 points in seven games, and the Bobcats average nearly 37 per game and might hit 50 tonight.
Hilton Head (6-1, 2-0) at May River (6-1, 2-0)
All-Time Series: May River leads 5-2
Last Meeting: Hilton Head W 23-10 (2024)
Streak: Hilton Head won 1
Outlook: After taking down the defending region champs in succession, Hilton Head and May River square off in The Tank as the lone remaining unbeaten teams in the Region 6-4A standings, and only one can emerge without a blemish. The seventh-ranked Seahawks boast a balanced attack led by quarterback Derrick Raniszewski and a two-headed monster in the backfield with Thaddeus Czarnecki and Jayvin Risher, and their young defense has been tremendous. The defensive front will face one of its sturdiest tests yet, though, in May River’s Slot-T rushing attack led by Sean Mitchell. Despite losing Tanner Macy to graduation and Andrew Johnson to injury, the Sharks’ offense is running smoothly with Luc Tran under center, and Justin Head and Tony Cooper have developed into effective backs. The Sharks had won five straight in the series before Hilton Head’s 23-10 victory a year ago, and they held the Seahawks to 16 points or fewer in all five victories. Getting a similarly strong effort from the defense will be critical if May River wants to keep pace in what should be a tight contest. It could come down to the kickers, and both teams are strong in that department with Hilton Head’s Beau Sexson and Cole Lindstedt and May River’s Hudson Tanner and Erik Robertello.
Battery Creek (2-5, 0-1) at Oceanside Collegiate (6-2, 2-0)
All-Time Series: OCA leads 2-0
Last Meeting: OCA W 49-0 (2024)
Streak: OCA won 2
Outlook: It’s apples vs. oranges tonight in Charleston, as the Dolphins travel to take on Oceanside Collegiate for a Region 6-3A matchup. The Landsharks are ranked second in Class 3A thanks to two losses to top-flight programs, but they also have the best win in the state this season with their upset of Class 5A power Dutch Fork. The Dolphins simply don’t have the athletes or resources to compete with Oceanside, one of the perennial powers regardless of their classification. The Landsharks have outscored the Dolphins 104-0 in their two previous meetings, including a 49-0 rout last season, and the pump is primed for another lopsided contest.
Hampton Co. (5-3, 2-0) at Barnwell (2-5, 0-1)
All-Time Series: Tied 1-1 (Barnwell leads 41-19-1 incl. WHHS)
Last Meeting: Barnwell W 27-14 (2024)
Streak: Barnwell won 1
Outlook: The Warhorses spoiled the Hurricanes’ party a year ago and wound up in the Class 2A state championship game, but a mass exodus due to graduation has left Barnwell in rebuilding mode and fighting for a playoff spot. Hampton County knows better than to take this opponent lightly — including the Hurricanes’ prior history as Wade Hampton High School, the teams have met all but one year (2018) since 1978, and Barnwell owns the all-time series by a large margin. Hampton’s ground game has been unstoppable so far in region play, and Jaylen Singletary and Co. should be able to keep it going behind an improving offensive line and continue rolling toward a region title.
Lake Marion (3-5, 1-1) at Whale Branch (3-4, 1-0)
All-Time Series: Whale Branch leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Whale Branch W 14-12 (2024)
Streak: Whale Branch won 1
Outlook: It looked like the Gators were turning a corner when they shut out Allendale-Fairfax and won at Barnwell in back-to-back weeks, but a visit from Hampton County knocked them off track with a 56-0 defeat. Now they have to come to Seabrook, where the S.C. State marching band will be in the house for homecoming, and the Warriors are riding high after pulling off a tough road victory at Edisto last week. This appears to be an evenly-matched contest, and both teams have great size in the trenches, so the difference might come down to which team is better conditioned to make an impactful play in the fourth quarter. The winner will be in position to finish no worse than second in Region 5-2A, and a Whale Branch win would put even more weight on next week’s trip to Varnville.
Ridgeland (4-4, 3-0) at Bamberg-Ehrhardt (7-0, 1-0)
All-Time Series: Bamberg-Ehrhardt leads 21-8
Last Meeting: Bamberg-Ehrhardt W 36-0 (2024)
Streak: Bamberg-Ehrhardt won 6
Outlook: The Jaguars have provided one of the best stories in the Lowco this season, reeling off four straight wins after an 0-4 start, thanks to a dominant defense and a developing ground game led by Bam Crawford and Dashawn Albany. But Bamberg-Ehrhardt is on another level. The Red Raiders have scored at least 42 points and allowed eight or fewer in six of their seven games, the only exception being a 29-14 win over Barnwell. The Jaguars haven’t beaten the Red Raiders since the Jasper County High School era with their last win in the series coming in 2002. Barring something unforeseen, the recent history will hold true tonight, and the Red Raiders will virtually lock up the region title.
John Paul II (4-3) at Thomas Heyward (2-3)
All-Time Series: THA leads 7-1
Last Meeting: THA W 35-7 (2024)
Streak: THA won 1
Outlook: This is an unexpected treat that was added to the schedule late, and despite being a non-region contest, it’s a big game due to the intracounty rivalry. JPII picked up its only win in the series with a 28-21 triumph in coach Shayne Milligan’s debut in August 2023, and the Golden Warriors are well-equipped to do it again. Bruising back Andrew Boyden and speedster Jadon Inabinett have had success running behind JPII’s strong offensive line, and tight end Sean Phalen gives dual-threat quarterback Alan Wolf a big target downfield. The Rebels are always tough in the trenches with Dodge Peeples and Dawson Drew as the anchors, and JPII’s toughest task will be containing THA’s Tony O’Banner and Josh Gibson. O’Banner is likely to draw a lot of attention, but Gibson is good enough to make defenses pay for that gamble with his arm and his legs. Expect another hard-fought SCISA battle.
St. John’s Christian (0-6, 0-2) at Hilton Head Prep (1-6, 0-2)
All-Time Series: SJCA leads 1-0
Last Meeting: SJCA W 35-27 (2024)
Streak: SJCA won 1
Outlook: The Dolphins have finally made it to the more manageable portion of their schedule, and after a valiant effort in last week’s 17-7 loss to John Paul II, they appear poised to salvage their season with a big region win this afternoon. The Cavaliers made a midseason coaching change, bringing in the legendary Dr. Jerry Brown, but it hasn’t yet translated into success. SJCA’s offense has shown big strides in recent weeks, but Hilton Head Prep’s defense has been a strength all season, especially against the run. The Dolphins’ offense isn’t dynamic, but Davis Cargill is a strong workhorse back and Wyatt Harmer is a heady quarterback with a competitive edge, and both have an opportunity for a breakout game Friday.
Calhoun Academy (6-1) at Patrick Henry (1-6)
All-Time Series: Tied 5-5
Last Meeting: PHA W 35-0 (2023)
Streak: PHA won 1
Outlook: This longtime SCISA rivalry was dormant for a couple of periods when the schools weren’t playing the same game — literally — but it’s tied at 5 all-time and tied 1-1 since both teams transitioned to 11-man football, with the road team winning in 2022 and 2023. That trend seems likely to hold tonight, as the Cavaliers visit The Farm with SCISA 2A title aspirations, while the Patriots are trying to build for the future. Calhoun’s Cole Layton is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in SCISA, and he’s especially dangerous as a runner. Given the difficulty PHA has had containing similar players, it could be a long night for the Patriots’ defense.
Jefferson Davis (4-2) at Cross Schools (0-6)
All-Time Series: JDA leads 3-0
Last Meeting: JDA W 52-6 (Aug. 22)
Streak: JDA won 3
Outlook: The Raiders have eight SCISA 8-man state titles to their name. The Stingrays have one win to theirs. JDA is simply on a different level at this point in the development of Cross’ program, and the Stingrays aren’t ready to compete with perennial powers yet. Gregory Lihan rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns on just seven carries in the first meeting this season, so the Stingrays will have to come prepared with a gameplan to slow him down.