Week 7 Lowcountry Games to Watch
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It’s one thing to start region play off on a strong note. It’s another challenge to back that up week after week. Which Lowcountry squads will rise to the occasion with playoff implications on the line? Let’s take a look…
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Continue ReadingIt’s one thing to start region play off on a strong note.
It’s another challenge to back that up week after week.
Which Lowcountry squads will rise to the occasion with playoff implications on the line? Let’s take a look at a few matchups from a packed Week 7 slate this Friday night.
Ashley Ridge (5-1) at West Ashley (5-2)
Two region VII-5A frontrunners will do battle on Friday night in Charleston with postseason seeding at stake. The Wildcats have used a strong run game en route to a 5-2 start and will need an excellent effort from the offensive line of Hampton Odonald and Max Beckstine to spark a dynamic rushing attack. Craig Middleton‘s high motor and physicality leads a hungry Ashley Ridge defense looking to rebound after surrendering 40 points a week ago against Fort Dorchester. The Swamp Foxes have relied upon the quickness and hands of receiver Derrick Salley Derrick Salley 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Ashley Ridge | 2024 State SC Jr. who has built quite a rapport with budding sophomore quarterback Trevor Kalisz Trevor Kalisz 5'10" | 205 lbs | QB Ashley Ridge | 2026 State SC . It should be an excellent matchup against a West Ashley defense that has found its strides in recent weeks, led by quick and athletic senior free safety LB Bailey alongside menacing 6-foot-1 and 215-pound linebacker Terry Grant Terry Grant 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB West Ashley | 2024 State SC .
Williamsburg Academy (6-0) at Beaufort Academy (5-1)
In a possible SCISA 2A state championship preview, Beaufort Academy will welcome an unbeaten Williamsburg Academy squad to Lady’s Island on Friday. The Eagles were dealt a big blow two weeks ago at Hilton Head Christian with the loss of two-way star Devonte Green Devonte Green 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Beaufort Academy | 2024 SC to a leg injury, which will put more of a load on dynamic running back Jaxen Porter and Thomas Heyward Academy transfer quarterback Dietrich Shuford Dietrich Shuford 5'9" | 155 lbs | QB Beaufort Academy | 2025 SC to make plays in the passing game. Beaufort Academy will be rested as well after a week off and should bring the energy on defense with a quick and agile Porter alongside terrific anchor Tripp Gregory and outstanding pass rusher Alex Williams. Defending champ Williamsburg has returned its elite two-man backfield of Teague Ward Teague Ward 5'11" | 220 lbs | LB Williamsburg Academy | 2024 State SC and Camden Moore Camden Moore 5'5" | 160 lbs | RB Williamsburg Academy | 2024 State SC for their senior seasons who are both quick and elusive in the open field. Ward plays with a ferocity on defense and will provide a massive test for Beaufort Academy’s run game alongside senior veterans JD Sholar and Ty Childers. It’s a litmus test for both teams with big-time title aspirations next month.
Bluffton (4-2) at Lucy Beckham (5-0)
Owen Bayes Owen Bayes 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Bluffton | 2024 State SC proved that he could thrive in a big moment with a clutch 28-24 win over Hilton Head, but his Bobcats will be in for a tougher test this Friday against a stout Lucy Beckham defense. The Bengals have allowed just 20 points in five games this fall on the strength of the reliable linebacker tandem of Daniel Fletcher and Hank Aeppli. But the Bobcats will present multiple dimensions and have speed everywhere you look, especially with school record-breaking wideout Brandon Bryant Brandon Bryant 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Bluffton | 2024 State SC and impact transfer Carnell Warren Carnell Warren 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR May River | 2026 State SC . The run game has picked up well with the emergence of Eitan Golphin and power back Jake Ridgway. Bluffton will need to stop the ground game of Lucy Beckham to come out on top with a road win, which is easier said than done with an efficient group of Charles Byrd, Stephen Segars, and Robert Myers all averaging north of nine yards per carry with Bryce Rothwell Bryce Rothwell 6'4" | 245 lbs | TE Lucy Beckham | 2024 State SC leading the way on the line. Hayden Gregory’s Bobcats will need hard-working lineman Shane Whittaker and breakout linebacker Josh Bond to help out the efforts of senior Jeremiah Curry Jeremiah Curry 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Bluffton | 2024 State SC .
Edisto (5-2) at Hampton County (6-1)
The Hampton County Hurricanes took care of business last week against Ridgeland, but they could be in for a tough contest against a sneaky Edisto team on Friday. It’ll be a matchup between two excellent running backs, as the Cougars’ Terrell Thomas Terrell Thomas 5'10" | 190 lbs | ATH Edisto | 2025 State SC (96 car, 596 yds, 4 TD) faces off with electric Hampton star Zion Dobson Zion Dobson 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Hampton County | 2024 State SC (109 car, 1,174 yds, 9 TD). The ‘Canes will have the edge on defense with dynamic playmaker and pass rusher Mandrell Sanders Mandrell Sanders 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Hampton County | 2025 State SC , who is up to 48.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks through seven games. Xavier Garvin is starting to fit in as an athletic two-way standout with an interception to his credit already this year, and senior Kavon Chisolm will be relied upon to stuff a strong Cougar run game. After a tough showing against Barnwell a week ago, Edisto will need all hands on deck including stellar linebacker Billy Stroman (50 tackles, 7 TFL) and defensive end Kaleihl McKenzie (32 tackles, 2 TFL) to slow down Dobson’s high-octane quickness.
James Island (6-0) at May River (2-4)
The Sharks will get their first home game since all the way back in Week 1 as they prepare for a dangerous James Island team looking to stay unbeaten on the road. May River’s defense will need to keep it in the game against a versatile Trojan attack. Braxton Scott Braxton Scott 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB James Island Charter | 2024 State SC (731 pass yards, 8 TD, 0 INT, 234 rush yds) has been excellent as a dual-threat weapon and has yet to turn the ball over. He’s also got one of the most electric receivers in the Lowcountry in Wushi Ravenel Wushi Ravenel 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR James Island | 2024 State SC with the athleticism to make defenders miss and win jump-balls downfield. The Sharks will need a big day out of lineman Kuron Green who has been active in the backfield with five tackles for loss alongside a strong presence from physical veteran linebacker Ethan Sprinkle. James Island’s defense should lead the way on Friday with high-flying dynamic linebacker Chris Glover Chris Glover 5'10" | 190 lbs | LB James Island | 2024 State SC and beastly defensive lineman Malachi Jefferson Malachi Jefferson 5'10" | 250 lbs | DL James Island | 2025 State SC .