Lowcountry Mid-Season Report

The first half of the high school football season has seen contenders emerge, stars rise, and fresh new storylines develop across the Lowcountry, setting the stage for region play and hinting at what we can expect in the postseason.   In Class 5A, James Island has established itself as the class of the Lowcountry, taking down Charleston-area juggernauts Oceanside Collegiate and Summerville as well as state powers South Florence and Gray Collegiate en route to a 4-0 start and a top-five ranking. Berkeley has also put together a terrific first half, though the Stags were humbled by Northwestern on Friday in a matchup that flexed the Upstate's muscle in the classification.   In Class 4A, Hilton Head Island has carried over its success from a year ago, navigating a treacherous non-region schedule with a 4-1 mark, including statement wins over South Florence, Bamberg-Ehrhardt, and Camden with the Seahawks' lone defeat coming against unbeaten Rock Hill.   Region 5-3A is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the state, as both Bishop England and Hanahan have surged to impressive 5-0 starts to emerge as serious contenders along with perennial power Oceanside Collegiate. The Landsharks have just two wins in their first five games, but only one of their defeats has come to an in-state opponent, and they have been well-tested by a tough non-region slate.   Region 5-2A is nearly as competitive at the top, and might have even more parity from top to bottom. Woodland and Philip Simmons look like contenders, but upstarts Battery Creek and Lake Marion are still undefeated and could have something to say about the playoff picture. Orangeburg-Wilkinson also remains unbeaten and could do so until its season finale at top-ranked Strom Thurmond.   In the SCISA ranks, a number of Lowcountry teams appear poised to compete for state championships, including Pinewood Prep in SCISA 4A, Hilton Head Christian Academy in SCISA 3A, undefeated Colleton Prep in SCISA 2A, and Dorchester Academy in SCISA 1A.   BIGGEST SURPRISE   Battery Creek's sudden rise has been the talk of the Lowcountry, and the chatter is building with each passing week. The Dolphins dominated rival Beaufort on Friday, winning 42-18 for their first victory over the Eagles since 2003. Fourth-year coach Ed Susi has led Battery Creek to a 5-0 start, matching the best start and longest winning streak in program history with a massive offensive line paving the way for a talented stable of backs. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1823734' first='Mason' last='Benke'] is one of the anchors on an offensive line that averages three bills all the way across, making it difficult for defenses to track the ball in the Dolphins' misdirection-based offense.   Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1717743' first='Eddie' last='Heyward'] is the Dolphins' most dangerous weapon, but he has plenty of support from versatile junior [player_tooltip player_id='1825360' first='Elijah' last='Frazier'] and others. Senior basketball star [player_tooltip player_id='1816699' first='Michael' last='Williams'] has also emerged as a big-play threat, showing the ability to go up and get the ball in traffic and giving quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1821129' first='Nate' last='Freeman'] a deep-ball threat.   The Dolphins' offensive prowess has been downright prolific. With 188 points through five games, they need only 17 to match last season's total – and that was the program's highest-scoring season since 2013. Times like these have been rare at Battery Creek, but Susi seems to have built a foundation that has a chance to last.   The defense has come to play, too, holding three of its five opponents to single-digit scoring with edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1664217' first='Kiawan' last='Ford'] setting the tone, and soccer star Johnny Hernandez has developed into a weapon in the kicking game, routinely putting kickoffs in the end zone and kicks through the uprights, and flipping the field with booming punts.   The non-region slate was built to help the Dolphins accumulate confidence, which they can now take into what should be a competitive region in hopes of ending a 13-year drought without a postseason victory.   PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE SECOND HALF   Hampton County's [player_tooltip player_id='1717939' first='Nigil' last='Fripp'] is closing in on the 1,000-yard mark on the ground, following in the footsteps of Zion Dobson and Jaylen Singletary, his two predecessors who are now playing on Saturdays. Fripp stole the headlines with a 353-yard game against Bluffton, scoring five times in a 41-38 win over the Bobcats, and he followed it up with 229 yards in a losing effort against Bishop England on Friday. He should feast on Class 1A defenses in region play after a challenging non-region slate.   Pinewood Prep quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='2045815' first='Silas' last='Brawner'] has topped 350 passing yards in four of five games, including a season-high 395 against Savannah Country Day. A 6-foot-6 senior, Brawner has thrown 20 touchdown pass against two interceptions while leading the Panthers to a 5-0 record.   May River's [player_tooltip player_id='1763191' first='Tony' last='Cooper'] (pictured) has emerged as first-year coach Stephen Nimmer's bellcow back, topping 150 rushing yards and scoring twice in each contest during a three-game win streak. Cooper is picking up steam, too, and rolled up a career-high 214 yards on 17 carries in Friday's 35-28 win over Manning.   Berkeley junior [player_tooltip player_id='2325399' first='Chance' last='Coleman'] has established himself as one of the region's most disruptive pass-rushers, recording at least one sack in every game this season with seven on the year. Wando defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1819060' first='Cade' last='Rogers'] has been a thorn in opposing quarterbacks' sides, recording four interceptions in the past three games.    In the SCISA ranks, Colleton Prep quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1823256' first='Cale' last='Owens'] is putting up video game numbers despite shedding his shoulder pads by halftime of the War Hawks' blowout wins. Owens has passed for 1,178 yards with 18 touchdowns and no interceptions in what amounts to less than five full halves of football. Patrick Henry Academy brothers Luke Sobey and Kai Sobey have anchored the Patriots on both sides of the ball during a 4-1 start and serve as walking billboards for wrestling in the offseason.   Kickers need love, too, and James Island's [player_tooltip player_id='1819172' first='Isaac' last='Lorentz'] is deserving of more love than most. Lorentz has hit for 27 touchbacks on 28 kickoffs this season and averages 44.9 yards per punt with five of his nine punts ending up inside the 20. That's a weapon for Jamar McKoy's team.   REGION MATCHUPS TO CIRCLE   Hilton Head at Lucy Beckham, Oct. 2   If anyone is going to threaten the Seahawks' supremacy in Region 6-4A, it's likely to be the Bengals, who have been battle-tested early on. The question is whether Lucy Beckham's defense can slow down [player_tooltip player_id='1664222' first='Derrick' last='Raniszewski'] and company.   Hanahan at Oceanside Collegiate, Oct. 2   This is a litmus test. The Hawks have never beaten the Landsharks, and the last three meetings haven't been close. Does that change next month? Hanahan will need senior running back Travis Neal and junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1615084' first='Tripp' last='Gallus'] to continue their prolific production to turn over the landscape.   Philip Simmons at Woodland, Oct. 2   The Iron Horses got off to a sluggish start but have turned it on in September, while the Wolverines weathered the storm amid numerous suspensions and look the part of a contender. This one will go a long way toward sorting out the Region 5-2A logjam. Philip Simmons quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1821540' first='Hayes' last='Goddard'] and receiver Ashton Kellerman are a lethal combination, but can't they outscore Woodland quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1603798' first='Jervaze' last='Salley'] and his supporting cast?   Berkeley at Carolina Forest, Oct. 9   The Stags look like the class of the region, humbling result against Northwestern notwithstanding. The Panthers represent the biggest test left on the regular-season schedule, but dual-threat quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1036733' first='Henry' last='Rivers'] will be a tough assignment for Carolina Forest's defense.   Lucy Beckham at May River, Oct. 9   Assuming Hilton Head maintains its stranglehold on the region, this matchup is likely to decide who finishes second. May River's ground game is still a headache to defend with [player_tooltip player_id='1763191' first='Tony' last='Cooper'] and shifty quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1763286' first='Luc' last='Tran'] leading the charge, but the Bengals are tough in the trenches with Georgia commit [player_tooltip player_id='1667798' first='Ty' last='Johnson'] as the anchor.   Woodland at Battery Creek, Oct. 9   Battery Creek has been one of the best feel-good stories around the state. If the good vibes are still emanating after this one, we'll know it's for real. The Wolverines will put the Dolphins' defense to the test and see if edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1664217' first='Kiawan' last='Ford'] and company are up to the task.   Bishop England at Oceanside Collegiate, Oct. 16   After four convincing wins in the series for the Landsharks, this could be the year this potentially epic rivalry really starts to blossom. OCA's secondary has proven to be susceptible to the pass, and lefty quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='2106098' first='Banks' last='Luton'] has put up solid numbers against some quality defenses during the Battling Bishops' 5-0 start.   Bamberg-Ehrhardt at Scott's Branch, Oct. 23   The Red Raiders won't face many strong tests in region play, but this shapes up to be one of their more challenging matchups. Being real, though, the Eagles figure to have their hands full with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1822457' first='Brian' last='McMillan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1214316' first='Ant' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='1819949' first='Jason' last='Youmans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1036756' first='Jordan' last='Bovain'], among others.   Hanahan at Bishop England, Oct. 30   The Hawks have had the upper-hand in this classic series all-time, but the Battling Bishops have won the last two meetings. This 43rd installment of one of Charleston's oldest rivalries likely will determine either the region title or who finishes second. The quarterback matchup alone will be worth the price of admission with Hanahan's [player_tooltip player_id='1615084' first='Tripp' last='Gallus'] vs. Bishop England's [player_tooltip player_id='2106098' first='Banks' last='Luton'], a pair of juniors with rising stock.   Philip Simmons at Battery Creek, Oct. 30   The Dolphins couldn't hang with the Iron Horses in their first round as region mates, but Battery Creek has already exorcised several demons this season and has its sights set on vanquishing more. [player_tooltip player_id='1821540' first='Hayes' last='Goddard'] will likely be the best quarterback the Dolphins face all season, so it should be a good test for their secondary.   Hardeeville at Hampton Co., Oct. 30   Hardeeville is loaded with young talent with a freshman class overflowing with prospects, but can coach Arthur Gardner's team grow up quickly enough to challenge Hampton County? If budding 2030 stars [player_tooltip player_id='2400896' first='Tahlib' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2253662' first='Jeremiah' last='Dunham'], [player_tooltip player_id='2401248' first='Travon' last='Harris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2401252' first='Jose' last='Chavez'] continue to mature, it could be closer than expected.   Orangeburg-Wilkinson at Strom Thurmond, Oct. 30   The Bruins have proven they're a top-10 caliber team. This is their opportunity to see how they measure up against the best Class 2A has to offer. O-W's defense led by linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1817978' first='Najhir' last='Pelzer'] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1820131' first='Jackson' last='Glenn'] has impressed early, but the unit will have its hands full with the Rebels' balanced offense anchored by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1827442' first='AJ' last='Hillary'] and running back [player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'].

The first half of the high school football season has seen contenders emerge, stars rise, and fresh new storylines develop across the Lowcountry, setting the stage for region play and hinting at what we can expect in the postseason.

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Lowcountry Mid-Season Report

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