Amazingly, we are at the beginning of the playoffs in all South Carolina high school football classes except 4A, who has the final week of the regular season this week.
The season goes so fast. It seems like yesterday we were talking about Sertoma and who had the best looking teams for the upcoming season. Now, we have teams that have already been eliminated from playoff contention while others have a regular season game left plus playoffs. In this post I will try to talk about all the local playoff games plus our ending in 4A.
Last Friday night, the focus was on John McKissick winning his 600th game. It garnered a 4-page special section in Saturday's Charleston paper plus a mention by Chris Fowler and the guys on College Game Day, and a story that aired on SportsCenter that night.
There were many other compelling stories in last week's games, though. Wando bounced back. They played Cane Bay at Cane Bay in a game I attended. It was very close throughout the 1st half as the Warriors appeared bleary-eyed, turning the football over a couple times. Cane Bay actually led 10-7 at halftime before Wando poured it on with 26 2nd half points to win easily.
Goose Creek was no surprise, beating West Ashley, but the Wildcats covered the 67 point spread, only losing 52-7. Fort Dorchester got a big win over struggling Beaufort, and now faces Ashley Ridge, hoping to gain a playoff berth.
James Island had a chance for a home playoff game, but they are out of the playoffs instead after only scoring 2 points against Orangeburg-Wilkinson. They have had only two six-win seasons since Roddy White left in 2000, and one playoff win. Stall is also done for the season, along with a few other 1A teams.
In SCISA 8-man, St. John's Christian had a great season, finishing 9-1. They host Greenwood Christian Friday night in Moncks Corner. Cathedral Academy goes to W.W. King in what should be a good one, while Charleston Collegiate goes to Wardlaw Academy and Coastal Christian hosts Carolina Academy. All four 8-man games involve Lowcountry teams.
In 11-man class A locally, Holly Hill Academy goes to Bible Baptist in Savannah, while Dorchester Academy goes to Williamsburg Academy and Laurens goes to Colleton Prep and Leroy Riley, who's had a resurgence this year after several losing years at Colleton County.
In AA and AAA locally, Northwood Academy goes to Thomas Sumter, while Palmetto Christian goes to Florence Christian. Only one of our AAA teams is going to playoffs, Porter-Gaud. They go to Orangeburg Prep, on a nice 3-game winning streak to end the regular season, a team they lost to by just one at home in September.
4A's regular season is ending with some important games. Goose Creek and Stratford is for the region title. A bad night with a banged up QB for Stratford against Wando kept this from being a 10-0 vs. 10-0 matchup.
Houses will be divided, and it will be crazy at Fulmer Field Friday night. If Stratford pulls off the upset, they will get respect from the pollsters, and ruin Goose Creek's chance at an undefeated regular season.
A few miles away, Summerville and Bluffton will be playing for the Region 8-4A title. Will the monkey be off the Green Wave's back? Or will Bluffton complete a perfect regular season? Fort Dorchester is playing Ashley Ridge on Thursday night in an important game for the Patriots. If the season ended now, they would be on the road for a playoff game.
Wando hosts Sumter looking for a 10-win regular season, while Cane Bay plays West Ashley looking for a playoff berth and Colleton County hopes to break their long losing streak against Beaufort.
Playoff games should be interesting this week. In 3A, Hanahan hosts Gilbert. Hanahan is a big favorite in this game, with their only loss the second week of the year at Timberland. Gilbert is 4-6, coming off two losses to end the regular season.
Hilton Head goes to Strom Thurmond, whose only loss this year was to David Sills and ECA of Maryland in a game featured in Sports Illustrated. 4-6 Berkeley hosts against 4-6 Midland Valley. Berkeley won their final 3 region games to earn a playoff berth. Georgetown goes to Marlboro County. Those are the 3A games in our area.
In 2A Division I, Timberland has a bye; they will face the Marion-Wade Hampton winner, two teams with a COMBINED 3 wins between them. Ridgeland-Hardeeville goes to Edisto. Garrett goes to Lake Marion in what should be a tight game. Lake Marion has a Clemson signee in Mike Williams.
Battery Creek is a good surprise. They host Waccamaw Friday. They are 5-5 after the last two seasons, when they won only once combined.
In Division II, Bishop England has a bye. They host the Mullins-Andrews winner, while Woodland hosts Calhoun County. Academic Magnet had a winning season this year; they will go to Barnwell this week to play the Warhorses.
In 1A Division I, Baptist Hill hosts Estill. That should be a nice match-up, after the Bobcats lost at Estill 38-27 early in the year. St. John's, who took 3A James Island into the 4th quarter, goes to Johnsonville, while Whale Branch, who had a chance to win their region last week, instead goes to Allendale-Fairfax. Carver's Bay goes to Hemingway.
Division II has Branchville going to tough Lake View, while Military Magnet gets to host a playoff game at North Charleston against Denmark-Olar. Cross hosts Scott's Branch. Those should be all the games in the Lowcountry this week. I don't know if I missed one, but there's a lot of good football action on the pike.
If you want playoff brackets, go to http://schsl.org/2012Brackets/2012brackets.htm. You'll see the entire state's playoff brackets for all levels. For SCISA info, go to scisa.org.
Enjoy your games!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Byron Jerideau hurt
Gamecock DT Byron Jerideau just got hurt for Carolina. Laying on the ground with a leg injury. Helped off field.
On training table having his right leg examined.
On training table having his right leg examined.
Marcus Lattimore suffers devastating injury
South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore has suffered another devastating injury today against Tennessee. He has torn his ACL, maybe broken his leg. Any way you look at it, it is a horrible injury.
Confirmed: Lattimore's knee popped out of place but it got back into place quickly. He has a knee dislocation. "It's going to take a while obviously to recover and rehab this." "We're optimistic that his football days are still ahead of him," Spurrier said. He's optimistic about his recovery. "We all hope and pray he'll be back." Says there's a history of guys coming back from this type of injury.
Spurrier deferring questions on Sunday call to doctor and team trainer. Said team doc said could be a chance ML won't be back until 2014. Steve Spurrier: "Dr. Guy (team doctor) says there could be a chance but there could be a chance it could be two years down the road."
He hasn't heard about any ligament tears or of broken femur with Marcus Lattimore.
It remains to be seen if Lattimore could play in 2013. Mentions a medical redshirt as an option. Spurrier says Lattimore is doing better than he was yesterday.
Marcus will make his own decision on whether he comes back or not per Spurrier.
Spurrier: Kenny Miles takes over as starting RB, Mike Davis will be the first backup.
UNCONFIRMED: From @BrianVanOchten, a Tuscaloosa, AL writer: The news on South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore is awful: Broken femur and all four knee ligaments torn. Such a shame.
If you don't want to look at this, don't. From @jmaddox82.
Lattimore has a severe knee injury and will not be back this year. USC says that Marcus Lattimore has a "right knee injury" and will be re-evaluated later this week. He is out indefinitely.
Tomorrow, the official news from the university will come out about Lattimore's injury most likely during Coach Steve Spurrier's 2pm teleconference.
Last year he suffered a major injury against Mississippi State.
Confirmed: Lattimore's knee popped out of place but it got back into place quickly. He has a knee dislocation. "It's going to take a while obviously to recover and rehab this." "We're optimistic that his football days are still ahead of him," Spurrier said. He's optimistic about his recovery. "We all hope and pray he'll be back." Says there's a history of guys coming back from this type of injury.
Spurrier deferring questions on Sunday call to doctor and team trainer. Said team doc said could be a chance ML won't be back until 2014. Steve Spurrier: "Dr. Guy (team doctor) says there could be a chance but there could be a chance it could be two years down the road."
He hasn't heard about any ligament tears or of broken femur with Marcus Lattimore.
It remains to be seen if Lattimore could play in 2013. Mentions a medical redshirt as an option. Spurrier says Lattimore is doing better than he was yesterday.
Marcus will make his own decision on whether he comes back or not per Spurrier.
Spurrier: Kenny Miles takes over as starting RB, Mike Davis will be the first backup.
UNCONFIRMED: From @BrianVanOchten, a Tuscaloosa, AL writer: The news on South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore is awful: Broken femur and all four knee ligaments torn. Such a shame.
If you don't want to look at this, don't. From @jmaddox82.
Lattimore has a severe knee injury and will not be back this year. USC says that Marcus Lattimore has a "right knee injury" and will be re-evaluated later this week. He is out indefinitely.
Tomorrow, the official news from the university will come out about Lattimore's injury most likely during Coach Steve Spurrier's 2pm teleconference.
Last year he suffered a major injury against Mississippi State.
Friday, October 26, 2012
John McKissick wins 600th game
Summerville in South Carolina has one of the biggest legends in football history, Coach John McKissick.
He won his 600th game tonight over Ashley Ridge, 37-21, in front of an overflow crowd at Ashley Ridge. The Summerville players carried off Coach McKissick on their shoulders.
Photo from WCBD's @AndyWontor.
His team also clinched a winning record on the year at 6-4. McKissick is 86 and has won 600 against only 143 losses and 13 ties.
He started at Summerville in 1952.
His teams have included NFL players like Stanford Jennings, Kevin Long and A.J. Green. What an accomplishment for him and for South Carolina football.
He won his 600th game tonight over Ashley Ridge, 37-21, in front of an overflow crowd at Ashley Ridge. The Summerville players carried off Coach McKissick on their shoulders.
Photo from WCBD's @AndyWontor.
His team also clinched a winning record on the year at 6-4. McKissick is 86 and has won 600 against only 143 losses and 13 ties.
He started at Summerville in 1952.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Sandy up to 100 mph
New Sandy Advisory: 90 mph, 24.8 N, 75.8 W. Moving NNW at 17. Midpoint has moved from Spray Beach, NJ to Sea Isle City. All of NJ, DE, MD, PA in the cone plus most of NY and CT.
Tyrann Mathieu and Jordan Jefferson arrested
Four former LSU players arrested on drug charges. Tyrann Mathieu, Karnell Hatcher, Jordan Jefferson and Derrick Bryant.
Intent to distribute marijuana, being booked into East Baton Rouge Parish jail now. News per WAFB in Baton Rouge.
15 bags of marijuana.
Per @PerrynKeys: Police report: Tyrann Mathieu, J. Jefferson, K. Hatcher and D. Bryant were arrested at 262 W. State. Just north of#LSU
From WAFB report:
At approximately 3:30pm Thursday, officers were dispatched to an apartment at 262 West State in Baton Rouge in reference to a complaint about a man attempting to force his way in to the complex through a security gate, police said. According to police news release: The man was confronted by a maintenance worker and words were exchanged. Before officers arrived the man had been let into the complex by a resident and was seen going into an apartment. When officers went to the apartment and knocked on the door it was answered by the resident, Tyrann Mathieu, age 20, police said.
"Officers immediately smelled a strong odor of marijuana and obtained consent from Mathieu to search the apartment", a police news release said. "Inside they found three other men, including the one who had allegedly tried to force his way through the gate. He was identified as Jordan Jefferson," police said. Police said the other two men were identified as Bryant and Hatcher.
Police said a search of the apartment found a marijuana grinder, digital scale and 10 bags of high grade marijuana. 7 of the bags were found inside Bryant's book sack, police said. All four men were taken into custody and arrested, police said.
Intent to distribute marijuana, being booked into East Baton Rouge Parish jail now. News per WAFB in Baton Rouge.
15 bags of marijuana.
Per @PerrynKeys: Police report: Tyrann Mathieu, J. Jefferson, K. Hatcher and D. Bryant were arrested at 262 W. State. Just north of
From WAFB report:
At approximately 3:30pm Thursday, officers were dispatched to an apartment at 262 West State in Baton Rouge in reference to a complaint about a man attempting to force his way in to the complex through a security gate, police said. According to police news release: The man was confronted by a maintenance worker and words were exchanged. Before officers arrived the man had been let into the complex by a resident and was seen going into an apartment. When officers went to the apartment and knocked on the door it was answered by the resident, Tyrann Mathieu, age 20, police said.
"Officers immediately smelled a strong odor of marijuana and obtained consent from Mathieu to search the apartment", a police news release said. "Inside they found three other men, including the one who had allegedly tried to force his way through the gate. He was identified as Jordan Jefferson," police said. Police said the other two men were identified as Bryant and Hatcher.
Police said a search of the apartment found a marijuana grinder, digital scale and 10 bags of high grade marijuana. 7 of the bags were found inside Bryant's book sack, police said. All four men were taken into custody and arrested, police said.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Week 10 HS football preview
This week looks to be one of the more interesting weeks in high school football this season. All classes except for 4A are ending their seasons this week, and the country's winningest football coach is gunning for a major milestone.
Summerville football coach John McKissick is going for his 600th win on Friday night. Summerville started the year 1-3. Many people thought this year wasn't going to be the year for win number 600. The Green Wave though have won 4 of their last 5 games, including a big win over Fort Dorchester.
They are perfect in the region at 3-0 and 5-4 overall. A win would get them to a game against Bluffton at Summerville for a region championship, and the 600th win for Coach John McKissick.
McKissick has a record of 599 wins, 143 losses and 13 ties in his career. He has been the head coach at Summerville High School since 1952. He is the winningest football coach in history. Ashley Ridge is a local rival though that hopes to spoil McKissick.
It is the final home game of the year, and they hope to get some semblance of pride from the season.
Ashley Ridge vs. Summerville football tickets will be on sale in the front office at ARHS beginning Tuesday morning. Adults - 6.00 and Students - 4.00 GET YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE!! Tickets also available at SHS, Gregg, Alston and Rollings. Game time: Friday, October 26th at 7:30pm. Location: ASHLEY RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM "The Swamp" - because it's "just another home game."
The rest of the Lowcountry has some very interesting stories to talk about this week. Goose Creek tore apart Wando last week in their biggest home game ever. Stratford slammed West Ashley 65-22. Bluffton beat Fort Dorchester by 1 in a whale of a game. Ashley Ridge beat Beaufort to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Region 8-3A might be the most undecided region in the state. Hanahan has won the region, and Stall will finish last, but the rest of the teams in the region are fighting for playoff spots.
Berkeley, James Island, Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Hilton Head run the gamut of scenarios. All four of them could finish second in the region, hosting a playoff game, or they could miss the playoffs entirely. All can finish 3rd or 4th also. Berkeley has Hilton Head at home on Thursday night in my #3 game of the week. James Island has Orangeburg-Wilkinson on the road Friday.
Berkeley beat Hilton Head tonight 52-33 clinching at least a #3 seed in the playoffs. This means that the James Island/Orangeburg-Wilkinson game will be a winner-take-all game. Winner is in the playoffs, loser is out.
These four teams have 2 scenarios. Hanahan has clinched the region title.
IF--
berkeley beats hilton head and orangeburg beats james island:
hanahan #1(locked up)
Berkeley (3-2) #2 (has tie breaker over ow)
OW (3-2)#3
Hilton Head (2-3) #4 (has tie breaker over james island)
James Island (2-3) #5
stall #6 (locked up)
IF- berkeley beats hilton head and james island beats ow:
hanahan #1 (locked up)
James Island (3-2) #2 has tie breaker over berkeley
Berkeley (3-2) #3
OW (2-3) #4 has tie breaker over hilton head
Hilton Head (2-3) #5
stall #6
So there you have it.
In other regions, Baptist Hill has clinched Region 6-1A, and the top 32 teams in 1A go to the playoffs in 2 16-team brackets. St. John's and Cross will also be in the playoffs definitely, and Military Magnet might.
In 2A, all teams go to the playoffs. Bishop England though clinched their region with a win over Woodland last Friday night. Timberland and Lee Central will be in a battle for the Region 7-2A title.
I already explained our local 3A region, but in 4A, Bluffton and Summerville can play for a winner-take-all shot at the Region 8-4A title if each wins this week. Goose Creek can win the region this week if a couple things happen.
SCISA also has their last week of the season this week along with 8-man.
My top 5 games of the week are: 5) Wando at Cane Bay. A crucial game in Region 7-4A. Cane Bay hopes to get the Warriors napping after last week's emotional loss.
T-4) Hilton Head at Berkeley (Thursday) and James Island at Orangeburg-Wilkinson. Both of these games directly affect playoff races, so they will be exciting to watch, especially the Friday game when each team knows exactly what it has to do.
2) South Florence at Stratford. This might actually be an interesting game. Stratford is looking for another win to help their playoff positioning, after a big win against West Ashley last week. It's a rare non-region game near the end of the season. South Florence has won four of their six road games. This will be interesting.
1) Summerville at Ashley Ridge. I already talked about this game, but a chance at McKissick's 600th win makes it even more interesting.
Enjoy your games!
Summerville football coach John McKissick is going for his 600th win on Friday night. Summerville started the year 1-3. Many people thought this year wasn't going to be the year for win number 600. The Green Wave though have won 4 of their last 5 games, including a big win over Fort Dorchester.
They are perfect in the region at 3-0 and 5-4 overall. A win would get them to a game against Bluffton at Summerville for a region championship, and the 600th win for Coach John McKissick.
McKissick has a record of 599 wins, 143 losses and 13 ties in his career. He has been the head coach at Summerville High School since 1952. He is the winningest football coach in history. Ashley Ridge is a local rival though that hopes to spoil McKissick.
It is the final home game of the year, and they hope to get some semblance of pride from the season.
Ashley Ridge vs. Summerville football tickets will be on sale in the front office at ARHS beginning Tuesday morning. Adults - 6.00 and Students - 4.00 GET YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE!! Tickets also available at SHS, Gregg, Alston and Rollings. Game time: Friday, October 26th at 7:30pm. Location: ASHLEY RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM "The Swamp" - because it's "just another home game."
The rest of the Lowcountry has some very interesting stories to talk about this week. Goose Creek tore apart Wando last week in their biggest home game ever. Stratford slammed West Ashley 65-22. Bluffton beat Fort Dorchester by 1 in a whale of a game. Ashley Ridge beat Beaufort to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Region 8-3A might be the most undecided region in the state. Hanahan has won the region, and Stall will finish last, but the rest of the teams in the region are fighting for playoff spots.
Berkeley, James Island, Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Hilton Head run the gamut of scenarios. All four of them could finish second in the region, hosting a playoff game, or they could miss the playoffs entirely. All can finish 3rd or 4th also. Berkeley has Hilton Head at home on Thursday night in my #3 game of the week. James Island has Orangeburg-Wilkinson on the road Friday.
Berkeley beat Hilton Head tonight 52-33 clinching at least a #3 seed in the playoffs. This means that the James Island/Orangeburg-Wilkinson game will be a winner-take-all game. Winner is in the playoffs, loser is out.
These four teams have 2 scenarios. Hanahan has clinched the region title.
IF--
berkeley beats hilton head and orangeburg beats james island:
hanahan #1(locked up)
Berkeley (3-2) #2 (has tie breaker over ow)
OW (3-2)#3
Hilton Head (2-3) #4 (has tie breaker over james island)
James Island (2-3) #5
stall #6 (locked up)
IF- berkeley beats hilton head and james island beats ow:
hanahan #1 (locked up)
James Island (3-2) #2 has tie breaker over berkeley
Berkeley (3-2) #3
OW (2-3) #4 has tie breaker over hilton head
Hilton Head (2-3) #5
stall #6
So there you have it.
In other regions, Baptist Hill has clinched Region 6-1A, and the top 32 teams in 1A go to the playoffs in 2 16-team brackets. St. John's and Cross will also be in the playoffs definitely, and Military Magnet might.
In 2A, all teams go to the playoffs. Bishop England though clinched their region with a win over Woodland last Friday night. Timberland and Lee Central will be in a battle for the Region 7-2A title.
I already explained our local 3A region, but in 4A, Bluffton and Summerville can play for a winner-take-all shot at the Region 8-4A title if each wins this week. Goose Creek can win the region this week if a couple things happen.
SCISA also has their last week of the season this week along with 8-man.
My top 5 games of the week are: 5) Wando at Cane Bay. A crucial game in Region 7-4A. Cane Bay hopes to get the Warriors napping after last week's emotional loss.
T-4) Hilton Head at Berkeley (Thursday) and James Island at Orangeburg-Wilkinson. Both of these games directly affect playoff races, so they will be exciting to watch, especially the Friday game when each team knows exactly what it has to do.
2) South Florence at Stratford. This might actually be an interesting game. Stratford is looking for another win to help their playoff positioning, after a big win against West Ashley last week. It's a rare non-region game near the end of the season. South Florence has won four of their six road games. This will be interesting.
1) Summerville at Ashley Ridge. I already talked about this game, but a chance at McKissick's 600th win makes it even more interesting.
Enjoy your games!
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