WHAT WE SAW: Revenge Is Sweet For Lee in SCISA 1A Final
CHARLESTON- After falling short to Thomas Heyward the last two years in the SCISA 1A state championship game, the third time was the charm for the Lee Academy Cavaliers. Powered by a strong presence up front and some timely defensive…
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Continue ReadingCHARLESTON- After falling short to Thomas Heyward the last two years in the SCISA 1A state championship game, the third time was the charm for the Lee Academy Cavaliers. Powered by a strong presence up front and some timely defensive stops, the Cavaliers downed Thomas Heyward 28-0 to end the Rebels’ four-year title run. Let’s break down the shocking result from Saturday at Charleston Southern University.
It was a clinical showing from a hungry Lee Academy team, as the Cavaliers imposed their dominance up front to run past the Rebels. Lee tallied an impressive 320 rushing yards and over 6.5 yards per carry on the strength of its offensive line and senior standout Hampton Gaskins. The veteran back hit the holes hard and used his quickness to make tacklers miss on his way to 124 yards and a score on 21 carries. Deshon Hadden had a nose for the end zone, making the most of his five carries for 56 yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t need to throw it much, but Jesse Bowers was remarkably efficient through the air and even better on the ground, reading plays well and taking advantage of open lanes for 86 rushing yards on 11 carries.
It was an efficient and workmanlike effort on the ground, but the game may have been won by the Cavaliers’ terrific defensive effort. Heyward drove three times into the red zone but came up empty thanks to some enormous plays by a locked-in defensive group. Lee Academy’s superb secondary limited Thomas Heyward quarterback
Dietrich Shuford
Dietrich
Shuford
5'9" | 155 lbs | QB
Beaufort Academy | 2025
SC
to just 9-of-21 passing, including a beautiful pass breakup from Bowers on fourth down in the end zone. Eli Tomlinson was a game-wrecker late for the Cavaliers, using his terrific strength and footwork to make a pair of late sacks to seal the game. The Rebels were derailed by a pair of key injuries in the first half, losing two-way senior standout Anthony Fripp and dynamic freshman running back Tony O’Banner.
It was an afternoon to put behind them for Thomas Heyward, but the Rebels will return a number of key pieces from this year’s team. Cutter Williams was a key target late in the season with his explosive speed and strong hands and came up big on a third-and-long to move the chains. Shuford should be looking his way often in his senior year alongside freshman Josh Gibson who emerged down the stretch. O’Banner is just a sophomore next year and should shine with his breakaway speed and defensive vision at outside linebacker.