Week 9 preview/wk 8 recap

It has been a very interesting week in Lowcountry high school football, as the big story is the Bud Walpole story at Academic Magnet. This story has moved from a local sports story Monday night to a local news story now to a regional news story, and onto several national websites.

Walpole has been asked to resume his job as coach, starting Thursday. A link for those few people who haven't seen this story:

http://carolinasportsthoughts.blogspot.com/2014/10/academic-magnet-football-coach-walpole.html

There has also been a game moved this week. Summerville and Colleton County were supposed to play at Summerville at 7:30 Friday night. The game has been moved to 6pm because of gang rumors. Rival gangs from Colleton County were supposed to go to the game, and this caused the game to be delayed. This is Summerville's homecoming game, and people are very mad because it has never happened before at Summerville, and because the school could lose thousands of dollars in revenue with the game being moved.

People also feel that the innocence of high school football is being questioned with all of this. Hey, Colleton County gangs. It's 2014. Your high school has done much better this year. Worry about football and having pride in your former school instead of trying to shoot each other up at a football game.

On with the games:

High School Football Schedule - Week 9

Goose Creek vs Wando: A very big game in 4A. Goose Creek winning this game will give them a clear path to the Region 7-4A title, only having to win their next two games (West Ashley and Stratford) to win the title. Wando badly needs this to avoid making it a very tough time to make the playoffs.

Stratford vs West Ashley: Stratford is still undefeated in region, and in the Marion Bowl, Bobby and Joe will battle each other for supremacy. West Ashley had a very tough loss last week at James Island, and needs a win badly in order to stay at one region loss and keep a good chance at the playoffs.

James Island vs Cane Bay: The 6-2 Trojans are one of the biggest surprises in SC this year. They beat West Ashley last week by seven, and now head to a hungry Cane Bay team on their homecoming. Both schools can greatly boost their playoff chances with a win.

Ft Dorchester vs Bluffton: Fort Dorchester makes the long trip to Bluffton, trying to move to 3-0 in the region, while Bluffton needs a win to avoid a losing record on the season.

Summerville vs Colleton County - Kick-off at 6pm: Big game in Summerville Friday evening. Summerville must have this game in order to get a good playoff seed. The vultures have been circling around the Green Wave program the past few weeks with back to back losses. Colleton County can greatly boost their playoff chance with a win.

Hanahan vs Beaufort: Hanahan and Beaufort play in an important battle. A Hanahan win would set up a winner-take-all region battle next Friday night. Beaufort winning would keep their chances alive for a region title.

Berkeley vs Stall: Berkeley needs this win to force that winner-take-all game. Stall has scored seven points in their last four games, with last week being a 68-7 loss to Hanahan.

Orangeburg-Wilkinson vs Hilton Head: O-W and Hilton Head were front runners headed into region play, but now they are struggling. Loser could be out of playoffs.

Whale Branch vs Garrett: Whale Branch had a big win against Academic Magnet last week. Garrett has lost back to back games in region play.

Academic Magnet vs Battery Creek: Magnet is ready to play after the Walpole fiasco enveloped them in the past few days. Now they have a home game at the Danny Jones Complex against a Battery Creek side that badly needs a win.

Bishop England vs North Charleston: Bishop England has played better in the last two games, getting their first two wins, and now are actually tied for second in their region. North Charleston is better than last year, but still have tough sledding through their region play.

Cross vs Lincoln: This game is intriguing because Cross is undefeated in the region and has to travel to Lincoln, who started 2-1 but are now 3-5. They beat Baptist Hill last week though, so an upset against Cross could actually help them in chances for playoffs.

St. John's vs Military Magnet: St. John's won last week against Burke. Military Magnet was shut out at Cross. This is an important game in their region.

Baptist Hill vs Burke: The winner of this game will earn their first win of the season in their second to last game.

Timberland vs Andrews: Important game in Timberland's region, as Andrews is perfect in the region just like Timberland, and Andrews gets Timberland on their home field.

Georgetown vs Myrtle Beach: 6-2 and 2-1 Georgetown battles undefeated Myrtle Beach in a very big game on the Grand Strand. Tons of playoff implications.

Woodland vs Silver Bluff: Woodland lost last week at Barnwell, they hope to bounce back this week.

SCISA

Northwood vs Bethesda: Undefeated Northwood Academy has a big game on the road against Savannah's Bethesda Academy.

Porter-Gaud vs L. Manning: Porter-Gaud is 5-4, and hosts Laurence Manning in a very big game in their region.

Pinewood Prep vs Cardinal Newman: Pinewood Prep has lost two straight. They hope to bounce back in a home game against Cardinal Newman, their senior night.

Palmetto Christian vs First Baptist: Another battle of win less teams. Both schools 0-8. They have to get one today!

Enjoy the games!