Dishes How We Do It

Forget about last year. Forget the 2-4 start, forget the first-round playoff loss. Even forget the region championship. Bluffton’s football team is focused on the present.

“If we focus on what we did last year, we’re looking in the past,” third-year head coach John Houpt said. “We’re trying to focus every day on getting better so we can go out on Friday night and put on a better show than we did previously.”

The Bobcats showed out on defense at the end of last season, showing dramatic improvement after switching to a 3-4 scheme midseason. Although they lost eight starters off that unit, they have a number of key reserves back who fit the new system. 

The offense will have a new look, as well, despite returning six starters. After throwing the ball at a 4-to-1 ratio a year ago, Bluffton has focused on establishing the run behind a more physical offensive line. 

“Maybe my arm won’t hurt after every game,” senior quarterback Lee Kirkland joked. 

With only nine seniors gone from last year’s region championship squad, the Bobcats plan to pick up where they left off — even if they’re trying not to think about.

“We’ve had a great offseason,” Kirkland said. “I think we’re going to come out and do what we’ve trained to do.” 

BLUFFTON BOBCATS FOOTBALL (click for team page)

Coach: John HouptRecord at BLHS: 12-9 (3rd season)2018 record: 5-5 overall, 3-0 region (lost in first round of Class 4A playoffs)Returning starters: 6 offense, 3 defenseOffensive scheme: Wing-T AirDefensive scheme: 3-4Top returners: QB Lee Kirkland, WR Rakim White, K Evan HayesNotable losses: DL Ronald Reid, LB Jaylon Thompson, DL Jaishon Jenkins, DL Anthony Carswell, WR Shamar Sandgren

PLAYER TO WATCH

Kylan Simmons, RB: A standout linebacker as a sophomore last season, Simmons takes over as the starting running back. He is a load to bring down at 5-9 and 220 pounds, and is a powerful, downhill runner. His ability to consistently put the Bobcats in good down-and-distance situations will be the key to the offense.

BURNING QUESTION

Who leads the defense? 

The Bobcats graduated tons of talent on the defensive side of the ball, returning only three starters — and that includes Simmons, who will play sparingly on defense with his expanded offensive role. Cornerback Jordan Murray and safety Cody Eldridge give Bluffton a relatively experienced secondary, but none of the front seven are back, so the Bobcats are counting on defensive end DJ Aiken and linebackers Xavier Dykstra and Billy Fletcher to take on key roles. 

REGION AND BEYOND

The Bobcats went undefeated in region play last year, but it was a hard-fought perfect mark. Region 7-4A is shaping up to be just as competitive this season, so Bluffton will have its work cut out to try to defend the title. The key for the Bobcats will be getting the defense rounded into form in time for region play. 

SCHEDULE

8/23 — vs. Screven County8/30 — at May River9/6 — vs. Ridgeland-Hardeeville9/13 — vs. Hanahan9/20 — at Hartsville9/27 — vs. Sumter10/4 — at Richmond Hill10/11 — at Beaufort High*10/18 — Open10/25 — vs. Colleton County*11/1 — at Hilton Head High*

*region opponent

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Despite sending a steady stream of players to the next level in recent years, Whale Branch football keeps reloading, and the Warriors hope to do the same this season. 

A year after losing 19 seniors — including five who will play on Saturdays this fall — Whale Branch is nonetheless confident it will be a factor in a loaded Region 5-2A. 

“We may be short on seniors this year, but the seniors we have are really confident in what we’re doing,” senior De’Arius Hazel said. “We’ve really got great chemistry, and great chemistry within a team can take you a long way.” 

The Warriors hope that chemistry and the seniors’ leadership will help them mask a lack of depth, especially in the trenches, where players will be asked to contribute on both sides of the ball. Whale Branch also has to replace star running back Irvin Mulligan and its entire starting secondary. 

“We’re light on depth, but I’m pretty confident our first-line players can get the job done,” coach Jerry Hatcher said. 

One area where the Warriors aren’t hurting for depth, though, is at quarterback, where Henry Tome and Jaylen Reeves have been battling for the starting job. Hatcher said both the speedster Reeves and the more polished passer Tome will see time at the position.

WHALE BRANCH WARRIORS FOOTBALL (click for team page)

Coach: Jerry HatcherRecord at WBECHS: 44-34 (8th season)2018 record: 7-5 overall, 2-3 region (reached second round of Class 2A playoffs)Returning starters: 4 offense, 4 defenseOffensive scheme: Split BackDefensive scheme: 4-2-5Top returners: RB/LB De’Arius Hazel, RB/LB Jaquez Frazier, OL/DL Jahiem Fripp, K Henry TomeNotable losses: RB/LB Irvin Mulligan, DB Jaheem Hazel, DB Ky’Shon Hipp, DB Marion Smalls, OL/DL Daquan Griswold, QB/DB CJ Brown, OL Jamari Evans, DB Taqui Polite

PLAYER TO WATCH

De’Arius Hazel, RB/LB: Hazel was a secondary option in the offense last season, garnering only 29 carries, but he averaged 6.8 yards per attempt and has shown an ability to break long runs in the preseason. He will need to be a bigger factor on both sides of the ball for the Warriors to have success this season.

BURNING QUESTION

Can the Warriors stop the pass? 

The entire starting secondary was lost to graduation, and three of the four are playing college football. Fortunately for the Warriors, most of their region opponents feature run-heavy offenses, but they will face a couple of teams that like to air it out. The inexperienced secondary will need to get up to speed quickly and limit big plays through the air to keep the Warriors in games.

REGION AND BEYOND

Whale Branch plays in one of the toughest regions in the state in any classification, as frontrunners Barnwell and Bamberg-Ehrhardt both return plenty of firepower from last year’s strong teams and Woodland features an NCAA Division I commit on each side of the ball. The goal for the Warriors will be to weather the storm of region play, get into the playoffs, and see how far they can go.

SCHEDULE

8/23 — at Battery Creek8/30 — vs. Cross9/6 — vs. May River9/13 — at Ridgeland-Hardeeville9/20 — Open9/27 — vs. Philip Simmons10/4 — at Woodland*10/11 — vs. Barnwell*10/18 — vs. Allendale-Fairfax*10/25 — at Bamberg-Ehrhardt*11/1 — vs. Battery Creek

*region op

The evolution of Beaufort High football continues with the Eagles’ entering a second consecutive season with a new head coach, and after a rare losing campaign a year ago, first-time head coach Bryce Lybrand has made it a focal point to incentivize giving maximum effort.

Lybrand noticed an improved work ethic during the offseason — an observation his players confirmed — and hopes to see if pay off in the form of more victories in 2019. 

“The kids have really bought into what we’re doing and why we’re doing it that way,” Lybrand said. “They’ve kind of bought into the concept of earning everything you get, and I’m really pleased with the effort.” 

After a 3-0 start a year ago, Beaufort lost five straight during a brutal stretch that included games against two Georgia powerhouses. The Eagles believe they are better prepared to face that difficult schedule this year, and they hope to do a better job of limiting the damage when things go wrong. 

“It’s all about weathering the storm,” Lybrand said. “Sometimes those games that we lost last year were because we didn’t handle adversity well. The biggest thing for us is making sure that when something bad happens it doesn’t affect us the next two or three plays down the line.”

The Eagles have loads of talent back on offense, including most of their offensive line and standout running back James Dagin, but the defense is a work in progress as players adjust to new and expanded roles.

BEAUFORT HIGH EAGLES FOOTBALL (click for team page)

Coach: Bryce LybrandRecord at BHS: 0-0 (1st season)2018 record: 5-6 overall, 2-1 region (lost in first round of Class 4A playoffs)Returning starters: 6 offense, 3 defenseOffensive scheme: SpreadDefensive scheme: 4-2-5Top returners: RB James Dagin, WR Matt Haley, OL Toby Strawderman, OL, Henry Manley, OL Terrance Wilson, OL Caleb Hagood, LB/TE William Winburn, LB George Williams, S Kaedin GrissomNotable losses: LB Will Kelley, QB/S Jeffrey Smyth, OL/DL Chase Guynup, DL Dexter Ratliff, WR Reed Reichel, WR Trae Heyward

PLAYER TO WATCH

Tyler Haley, QB: The Eagles made it a point to get Haley playing time behind center in meaningful situations last season, and they hope to see the growing pains he experienced a year ago pay off now that he has fully taken the reins of the offense. The southpaw signal-caller has the potential to be a difference-maker, and his continued development could be the key to the Eagles’ success.

BURNING QUESTION

Who will step up on defense? The Eagles have a handful of starters back on defense, but they also have some gaping holes to fill, including the one previously occupied by All-Lowco Defensive Player of the Year Will Kelley. Stefan Wechsler steps into Kelley’s spot, while massive freshman defensive tackle Eamon Smalls figures to be an effective run-stopper at some point but will need to adjust to the Class 4A schedule after playing 8-man football at Beaufort Academy last season. The Eagles have plenty of talent to plug the holes, but it might take a few games for the defense to hit its stride.

REGION AND BEYOND

In a region without a clear-cut favorite, the Eagles believe they have as much claim to being the frontrunner as anyone. With an experienced offensive line

A hulking presence at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Battery Creek senior Padric Payne has a confession. He’s the second-smallest starter on the Dolphins’ offensive line.

“Yeah,” Payne says. “We’re pretty big up front.” 

The Dolphins hope improved size, experience, and depth in the trenches will be the key to a winning season in 2019. Battery Creek appeared to be on its way in coach Walter Wilson’s first season in 2017, going 4-6, but they slid backwards last season, winning only two games. 

“I have never been so humbled in my life,” Wilson said. “Sometimes you need that, because it gets you to look at the little tiny things that you may overlook when you felt you were on the way.” 

With the humility came a renewed work ethic and attention to detail, as well as a commitment to get back to basics. With running back Trey Booth back in the fold and working behind that powerful offensive line, as well as a number of key returners on defense led by defensive end Brandon Wilson, the Dolphins’ gameplan will be simple.

“Our plan is to play defense and run the ball,” Walter Wilson said. “That ain’t hard.” 

BATTERY CREEK DOLPHINS FOOTBALL

Coach: Walter WilsonRecord at BCHS: 6-15 (3rd season)2018 record: 2-9 overall, 2-2 region (lost in first round of Class 3A playoffs)Returning starters: 12Offensive scheme: 21 personnelDefensive scheme: 4-3Top returners: DE/TE Brandon Wilson, WR/DB Kyseem Jabbar, WR/DB Elijah Dean, LB Justin Smalls, OL/DL Lucas Kinsey, OL/DL Toddie GrayNotable losses: LB/K Brandon Benke, WR Denarol Brown, QB/DB Jordan Gwyn

PLAYER TO WATCH

Trey Booth, RB: A powerful runner who carried the Dolphins to a win over May River two years ago, Booth sat out last season but is back for his senior campaign. With sophomore Jacove Anderson taking over at quarterback, Booth will be the focal point of the offense and have a chance to put up big numbers behind a bulky offensive line.

BURNING QUESTION

Can the Dolphins stop the run? Wilson is excited to have enough depth on the line to avoid having linemen play both ways, but the question is whether there’s enough quality to shut down the strong running teams at the top of the region. If the Dolphins can answer in the affirmative, it could be a special season.

REGION AND BEYOND

May River and Wade Hampton begin the season ranked in the top 10 in Class 3A, but they both have big holes to fill from last season. The Dolphins are in as good a position as anyone to be the team to close the gap and challenge for the region title.

SCHEDULE

8/23 — vs. Whale Branch8/30 — at Beaufort High9/6 — at Hilton Head High9/13 — at Woodland9/20 — Open9/27 — at Wade Hampton*10/4 — Creekside Christian10/11 — vs. Lake Marion*10/18 — at Ridgeland-Hardeeville*10/25 — vs. May River*11/1 — at Whale Branch

*region opponent

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Hilton Head High football coach B.J. Payne likens last season to “Last Chance U.,” the documentary series that follows the trials of a junior college football program.

In other words, everything that could go wrong … went very, very wrong.

“I think we were to a point last year that we were down 11 starters at one point,” Payne said. “We’re glad last year is gone. Burn everything from last year. But it was a great learning experience.”

Remaining among the ashes are nine returning starters on each side of the ball and a 16-man senior class whose leadership has impressed their coach. The returners include all five offensive linemen and quarterback Gaston Moore, as well as big-time college prospects Cole DeMarzo (Michigan State commit) and Christian Miller. 

“On both sides of the ball we have straight dogs,” senior safety Eli Hickey said. “At least eight people on each side of the ball are seniors, and we’re bigger and stronger this year. Just a better overall team.”

HHIHS SEAHAWKS FOOTBALL (click for team page)

Coach: B.J. PayneRecord at HHIHS: 41-33 (8th season)2018 record: 4-7 overall, 0-3 region (lost in first round of Class 4A playoffs)Returning starters: 9 offense, 9 defenseOffensive scheme: SpreadDefensive scheme: 4-2Top returners: OLB/WR Cole DeMarzo, CB Christian Miller, QB Gaston Moore, OL/DL Nick Magnin, S/RB Eli Hickey, LB Elijah Thompson, OL Conrad Alford, OL Alfred YoungNotable losses: WR Diante Richard, WR Jeff Gordon

PLAYER TO WATCH

Lavarus Brown, RB: Brown was buried on the depth chart last season, garnering only 19 carries that went for 52 yards and snagging three passes for 56 yards. He gets the chance to be the featured back this season and run behind an improved offensive line.

BURNING QUESTION

Can the Seahawks avoid any major injuries? Yes, this is the same question we had about the Seahawks entering last season, and unfortunately, last year’s answer was a resounding no. Injuries deflated Hilton Head High’s hopes a year ago, but the opportunities created by those injuries helped develop depth and leadership that could pay off this season … as long as the Seahawks can keep their best 11 on the field.

REGION AND BEYOND

The four-team Region 7-4A was uber-competitive last season — only one game was decided by more than two touchdowns — and it looks like it will be more of the same this year. The Seahawks have enough talent — especially on defense — to be right in the mix.

SCHEDULE

8/23 — vs. Savannah High

8/30 — at St. James

9/6 — vs. Battery Creek

9/13 — at May River

9/20 — vs. Ridgeland-Hardeeville

9/27 — at Christ Church

10/4 — vs. New Hampstead

10/11 — Open

10/18 — at Colleton County*

10/25 — vs. Beaufort High*

11/1 — vs. Bluffton*

*region opponent

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May River’s season was down to its final three minutes, and the Sharks seemed destined to end with a playoff loss to Bishop England for the third consecutive year.

Then Joel Fleek happened.

Fleek scored the equalizer with less than three minutes left in regulation, then added the game-winner in the final minute to lift the Sharks to a thrilling 3-2 win, earning the Sharks a trip to the Class 3A state championship game Saturday in Columbia.

Mikey Chappelear opened the scoring for May River in the 22nd minute, but the Bishops answered in the 33rd minute to tie it at 1 at halftime. 

The Bishops grabbed the lead in the 49th minute and held the Sharks at bay until Fleek’s back-to-back goals in the final minutes.

“One thing we’ve been talking about all season is our mental focus and playing a full game, no matter what, and working to get the result,” Sharks coach Misael Garzón said. “The boys earned a huge win tonight and persevered against a very good opponent. I’m super proud of what they’ve accomplished and excited to represent May River on Saturday in the state championship.” 

The Sharks (19-3-1) will face Indian Land for the state championship at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Irmo High School.

C.T. Pan raised his arms in a triumphant V and celebrated, not surrounded by cheering throngs of well-hydrated fans, but alone on the driving range at Harbour Town Golf Links.

Just minutes earlier, he had lipped out a birdie putt on the 18th green that certainly would have sealed his first PGA Tour victory. The miss left just enough of a crack through which one of the contenders still on the course might be able to slip, so Pan immediately headed to the range to prepare for a playoff that never came.

Patrick Cantlay’s tight lie in the rough on 18 kept him from taking a real run at the flag, and his chip for a tying birdie didn’t come close, and Shane Lowry couldn’t cash in a miracle eagle on the last hole, leaving Pan as the last man standing on another Sunday in which the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing champion came from well back to slip into a tartan jacket.

“It was very surreal, for sure,” Pan said. “I just didn’t envision my first win like this. I was ready for the playoff. It was so hard to convince myself that I actually had a shot at winning, so I just tried to get myself ready, get prepared for the worst outcome.”

Shane Lowry weathered the storm and left Harbour Town Golf Links with the lead again Friday, but he has a long Saturday ahead of him.

The 32-year-old Irishman had two holes left in his second round when play was suspended due to darkness at the 51st annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. Lowry leads Trey Mullinax by one shot and is two shots ahead of Emiliano Grillo and Dustin Johnson, and he will have a chance to add to the lead when he finishes the par-3 17th and the par-4 18th when play resumes at 7:45 a.m. Saturday. 

The field will be cut to the low 70 players, including ties, following the conclusion of the second round, and the third round will begin at 11 a.m. with threesomes starting on the first and 10th tees.

By MIKE McCOMBSLowcoSports.com

SUMTER – When Davidson Day routed Hilton Head Prep at home, 66-40, back in November, dropping the Dolphins to 1-2 on the season, it would have been easy for observers to write the season off.

But the team did no such thing.

Hilton Head Prep instead reeled off 25 straight victories, including a 57-43 win over Shannon Forrest on Saturday at Sumter Civic Center, to win the SCISA 2A boys basketball state championship.

“We made a promise to ourselves we’d go all the way to state and win,” senior forward Avern Montaque said. “And we did.”

Montaque played a big part in that, leading the Dolphins (26-2) with 15 points and four blocked shots.

Hilton Head Prep head coach Jerry Faulkner smiled when asked if Montaque was the best athlete on the floor.

“He’s also a great student and a wonderful guy,” Faulkner said.

The previously unbeaten Crusaders (28-1) used a 1-3-1 trap defense to slow down the Dolphins, but eventually Prep was able to pull away.

“I’ve got some intelligent players, and they’ve seen it all,” Faulkner said. “When they’ve played 25 games against the people we’ve played, we’ve seen it all.

“We hadn’t played against that kind of defense all year, so yesterday, we had to work on it. Not physically, but mentally.”

Montaque said the Dolphins were ready for what they saw.

“We worked on it (Friday),” he said. “We knew we had to get the ball into the middle of the court. They set for a lot of charges throughout the game, too, so we were ready for that.”

Haddith Stewart (11 points) and Tyrone Calloway (9 points) excelled at moving the ball around the perimeter quickly and were able to get the ball up the court in the face of Shannon Forrest’s pressure.

But the key may have been Stone McDonald.

The junior forward, who scored 10 points, was typically the man who went to the middle of the court to take the pass and break the Crusaders’ pressure. Often, McDonald would go airborne to receive a pass, only to have passed the ball away before coming back down to the floor.

“Stone McDonald is the straw that stirs the drink,” Faulkner said. “Tyrone (Calloway) is the engine, but Stone is the man in the middle. He makes the decisions.”

Faulkner said winning 25 games in a row was easy.

“It’s not hard if you take one at time,” the 74-year-old Faulkner said, drawing laughs. “I know it’s cliché. But ask my kids, ‘What’s the most important practice?’ and they’ll say ‘Today.’ ‘What’s the most important game?’ ‘The next game.’ ”

Jack Braun scored eight for the Dolphins, and Felipe Mendoza and Hunter Hopman each added two. David Muncy led the Crusaders with a game-high 22 points.

The state championship is the fifth for Hilton Head Prep, with the last coming in 1991.

This was the eighth state championship for Faulkner, his first in his seventh year at Prep. Faulkner, now 838-278 over 40 seasons, won the state championship 39 years ago on the same floor.

By MIKE McCOMBSLowcoSports.com

SUMTER – It would be fair to say Kenny Conroy had to wonder if he would get back here.

After a SCISA state championship in 2015, the Hilton Head Christian Academy girls basketball head coach would have been justified feeling like there were forces working against him.

“In 2015, we had the best team I ever coached,” Conroy said. “In 2016, we had Zi Doe and we couldn’t get here with Zi Doe. In 2017, we had Macee Tamminen. Two Division I players, and we couldn’t get here. Last year, we had injuries.

“This year, we chased the carrot and we caught it.”

Caught it they did.

The Eagles (25-3) handled Thomas Sumter Academy, 61-42, on Saturday at the Sumter Civic Center to win the SCISA 2A state championship.

HHCA trailed Thomas Sumter (13-10) for less than a minute before taking a lead it never surrendered.

The 1-2 punch of junior Jasmine Campbell and senior Jossie Frazier were simply too much for Thomas Sumter to handle.

“They didn’t have an answer,” Conroy said. “Those two tall players are very athletic. They’re not just two big (bodies). They made some big shots. They altered some shots.”

Campbell poured in 17 points a year after a season ended too early by a torn ACL and was joined on the all-tournament team by Frazier and teammate Brielle McCarthy.

“Going through the injury, I didn’t think I’d get back here,” Campbell said.

Early in the season, Campbell and McCarthy, also coming back from an ACL injury, were limited.

“At the beginning of the year, we had a very difficult schedule,” Conroy said “(Campbell) was only allowed to play four minutes at a time. It was difficult to have a lead on, for example, Calvary Day School of Savannah, a powerhouse. And you know you’re going to lose it, because I have to sub in.

“For Jasmine and Brielle, who rehabbed their way back, this is huge. And the real blessing is they both come back next year.”

Fraizer also scored 17 points for the Eagles, who won their eighth state championship and second in SCISA. Dior Shelton added 11, McCarthy added eight, Sydney DeSimone had five, and Ady O’Grady and Abby Peduzzi scored two each.

The Generals were led by senior guards and fellow all-tournament team members Sydney Daniel (18 points) and Aubrey Stoddard (12).

Daniel was strong early, scoring 11 of the Generals’ 14 first-half points before the Eagles wore her down.

“Our full-court defensive pressure just wore them out,” Conroy said. “That’s what we try to do, wear them out so they don’t have their legs late in the game.”