Oh, that wasn’t enough football for you? Us, either. Luckily, despite enjoying four games last night, including a highly-competitive Bluffton Bowl, we have another seven lined up for the traditional Friday slate.
A playoff spot is on the line for Patrick Henry Academy at Andrew Jackson Academy, and several of tonight’s matchups will determine playoff seeding, so the stakes are high almost across the board.
Get ready for tonight with part 2 of our Week 10 pregame primer.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
HHCA (4-5) at Hilton Head Prep (2-7)
All-Time Series: HHCA Leads 17-8
Last Meeting: HHCA W 43-3 (2024)
Streak: HHCA W6
Outlook: This is a rivalry that has seen better days, especially during the era of Tommy Lewis vs. Ron Peduzzi. Lately, it has been a one-sided affair. HHP has not knocked off the Eagles since 2018 — Peduzzi’s first year at HHCA — and it doesn’t look good for the Dolphins this year. HHCA played its best game of the season in last week’s 35-21 win over John Paul II. For the first time in two years, we saw the Eagles run the ball effectively with senior Hudson Baker, and Kres Langhals has quickly proven himself as the reliable quarterback the Eagles needed after the departure of Reid McCollum. He is coming off his best game with 308 passing yards, and he will continue to improve. Meanwhile, HHP has struggled to find its footing this season, with only two wins on the year. After having high hopes to start the season, this team is looking to finish the regular season strong. HHP quarterback Wyatt Harmer and running back Davis Cargill will be the main problem for HHCA, but the Eagles’ offense is too powerful for the Dolphins to handle. — Max Arraj
Beaufort (3-6, 1-3) at Hilton Head (8-1, 4-0)
All-Time Series: Beaufort Leads 2-16
Last Meeting: Hilton Head W 29-11 (2024)
Streak: Hilton Head W1
Outlook: This Hilton Head team has already clinched the No. 1 seed from Region 6-4A, but the Seahawks can’t overlook this Beaufort defense. The Eagles have allowed only 33 combined points in their last three games despite losing two of them to Bishop England and May River, and the defense has kept them in games. On the flip side, Hilton Head’s offense is averaging more than 35 points per game and can do damage on the ground and through the air, and no one has really slowed the Seahawks down since James Island in August. Beaufort’s ground game has developed with Tylik Isom and quarterback Braydon Moyd-Smalls doing most of the damage, but the Eagles will have to unlock a new gear on offense to keep pace. — Isaac Roman
Colleton Co. (1-8, 0-4) at Bishop England (6-3, 1-3)
All-Time Series: Bishop England leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Bishop England W 35-6 (2024)
Streak: Bishop England won 1
Outlook: Despite being separated by just one game in the region standings, the Cougars and Battling Bishops are approaching this one from two different sides of the spectrum. After suffering tough losses to the top three teams in Region 6-4A, the Battling Bishops need to get things back on track in time for the playoffs and prove they are still a force to be reckoned with in Class 4A. The Cougars still technically have an outside chance at a playoff spot if they can pull off the upset on the road, and their defense has been playing well enough for that to be a possibility, but the offense will need to execute better than it has all season. — Jeremy Orr
Barnwell (3-6, 1-2) at Whale Branch (3-6, 1-2)
All-Time Series: Barnwell leads 3-1
Last Meeting: Barnwell W 21-14 (2024)
Streak: Barnwell won 3
Outlook: The Warriors haven’t beaten Barnwell since 2014, but they gave the Warhorses all they wanted last year, and that senior-laden Barnwell team ended up reaching the state finals. Breaking through this time around would result in a No. 3 playoff seed for Whale Branch in its first year since Willie White took over for veteran coach Jerry Hatcher. Jermon Bowers is the Warriors’ clear-cut leader on both sides of the ball, and he will need a big game to help Whale Branch take advantage of its home-field advantage and avoid a first-round matchup with Region 6-2A champion Philip Simmons next week. — Justin Jarrett
Hardeeville (3-6, 1-2) at Allendale-Fairfax (1-8, 1-2)
All-Time Series: Hardeeville leads 3-2
Last Meeting: Hardeeville W 21-6 (2024)
Streak: Hardeevllle won 1
Outlook: Two programs that pride themselves on physicality, rugged toughness, and gaining the edge in an all-out brawl will go at it on Halloween night in Allendale. Hardeeville endured a disappointing stretch mid-season, but the Hurricanes have proven time and time again this season that the one thing they won’t do is quit. Hardeeville played its most complete game of the season in last week’s 33-0 win over Branchville and will look to continue the momentum and earn a home playoff game. The Tigers have shown dramatic improvement since last season and are headed to the postseason, but a win tonight would earn them another home game next week. — Jeremy Orr
Patrick Henry (1-8, 0-3) at Andrew Jackson Academy (1-7, 0-3)
All-Time Series: PHA leads 22-16
Last Meeting: PHA W 34-0 (2024)
Streak: PHA won 2
Outlook: It’s hate week for the Patriots as they take on ancient rival Andrew Jackson Academy. The Warriors dominated the 8-man matchups between the teams from 2016-21, but they haven’t won an 11-man game against PHA since 1979, including the past two lopsided matchups in 2022 and 2024. Patrick Henry has had a brutal schedule for a young team, but this game has been circled all year as a big one the Pats could win. Patrick Henry has found a working offense since the Colleton Prep game with Kai Sobey leading the ground game, but will the defense finally step up and make the stops? Playoffs are on the line here, as the winner will travel to Williamsburg Academy or Dorchester Academy in the first round, while the loser will get a head start on basketball season. — Jeffrey Strickland
Beaufort Academy (6-3, 2-1) at Thomas Heyward (2-5, 2-1)
All-Time Series: THA leads 5-1
Last Meeting: THA W 49-25 (2024)
Streak: THA won 2
Outlook: Beaufort Academy and Thomas Heyward square off this week in a game that can very well be looked at as a dark horse game of the week. Despite the overall records indicating a big edge for Beaufort Academy, Thomas Heyward has too many weapons and too strong of a reputation to be counted out. The Eagles need to get all their offensive weapons involved to keep the Rebels from keying on Nych Underwood, so look for Nic Shuford Jr. to look downfield for Devin Fripp and Jace Paulk as BA looks to open up the field. Tony O’Banner and Josh Gibson are always good for some big plays for THA, but the question is whether the Rebels’ patchwork defense can slow down the Eagles. — Jeremy Orr