SCISA 1A Championship: Patrick Henry Academy 35, Lee Academy 28
NORTH CHARLESTON | It’s never wise to bet against Hugh and Forest Fairey. On the baseball field, and on Friday night, in their first SCISA state championship football game. After trailing 14-0 to Lee Academy, Hugh, Forest, and the Patrick…
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Continue ReadingNORTH CHARLESTON | It’s never wise to bet against Hugh and Forest Fairey.
On the baseball field, and on Friday night, in their first SCISA state championship football game.
After trailing 14-0 to Lee Academy, Hugh, Forest, and the Patrick Henry Patriots rallied from behind to top Lee Academy 35-28 on Saturday at Charleston Southern University and bring home the 2023 SCISA 1A state championship.
The Pats cruised past Lee 47-21 back in Week 2, but this one was anything but a walkover. Lee Academy drew first blood on defense, intercepting Hugh Fairey as Deshon Hadden snuck up from his spot at linebacker and read it perfectly for a 27-yard return to the house. The rough start continued for the Patrick Henry signal-caller, throwing a tipped pass for the Cavaliers’ second pick of the contest. But the intrinsic belief from Hugh and this group never swayed. He was magnificent from that point on, finishing with 18-of-32 completions for 285 yards and four touchdown passes plus one scoring run on the ground. The poise and clutch factor were evident throughout, helping the Patriots convert four key third downs in the first half to spur the offense forward. And the connection with his brother helped lead the way. With the Patriots down 28-21 in the fourth quarter, Hugh threw a beauty that Forest pulled in and took 73 yards for the game-tying score capped off by a signature fist pump from the quarterback. Thanks to a quick stop from his defense, Hugh came back and took it in himself on a one-yard burst across the goal line. It was a 35-28 lead the Patriots would not relinquish, thanks to a game-sealing interception from Forest who rose up and used his excellent reach to reel in the pass. He capped off an all-around terrific night with five catches for 117 yards and a score on top of an interception that he’ll remember forever. Al-Tariq Johnson was a key target to move the sticks for Fairey, finishing with four receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown while Mikell Tucker Mathis and Rylin Brunson each added a receiving score of their own.
Patrick Henry’s defense was pummeled early with the strong running of William West who showed a quick burst through open holes most of the night and took advantage of some Patriot defensive lapses. But the front seven toughened up as the night progressed and stopped the Cavaliers on their last four drives to win the ballgame. Sparked by defensive lineman and senior Nathan Corley who missed the better part of the 2023 campaign, the Patrick Henry front continually got to Lee quarterback Clayton Catoe to push the Cavaliers behind the sticks and halt several fourth-quarter drives. Mathis was a dynamic powerhouse again on both sides for the Patriots and delivered his always-relentless pursuit to the quarterback while veteran senior linebacker Hance McCrary’s toughness and physicality helped him seal running lanes and quickly clean up tackles. And Allen Berg put together a phenomenal game on both sides of the line, winning with his tenacious strength and energy up front to evade blockers and give extra time for Fairey to execute in pressure situations.
It was a tough way to end another tremendous season for Lee Academy, making its fourth consecutive Class 1A title game appearance. Wests’ energy kept the Cavs’ offense churning with 122 yards and two scores on 23 carries, providing the offense his team needed with some highlight reel cuts and broken tackles. Deshon Hadden displayed a monster effort on both sides, posting an efficient 73 rushing yards on 12 carries and adding an interception return for a touchdown to open the scoring. His terrific reads on passing plays and quick instincts to stop the run were the biggest catalyst to the Cavs’ quick start on the night and brought an additional level of strength to his team’s high-powered run game.