Above: Beaufort’s Kacy Fields rolls into the end zone for the Eagles’ second touchdown of the night against Hilton Head Island during their first region game on Friday at Beaufort High. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
LowcoSports.com
Notre Dame commit Jaylen Sneed put on a show early in his newfound offensive role, but back-to-back Region 7-4A champion Beaufort High flexed its muscle in the second half Friday, shutting out the visiting Seahawks after the first quarter to roll to a 38-14 win to open region play.
Amariee Morris rushed for 87 yards and three touchdowns, and Tyler Haley tossed a TD pass to Kacy Fields to lead the Eagles’ high-powered offense, and Carter Bowersox came up with several big plays on defense, including a pick deep in Seahawks territory to set up a touchdown.
Sneed silenced the home crowd early, breaking away for a 74-yard touchdown run on the opening series and tacking on a two-point pass for an early 8-0 lead, but Zyrin Odom provided a prompt response, taking the ensuing kickoff to the house.
After a quick three-and-out, Haley led the Eagles down the field in two plays, hitting tight end Michael Dennison for a big gain before connecting with Fields for a touchdown to give Beaufort a 14-8 lead. Sneed and the Seahawks responded with an impressive drive capped by the future Notre Dame linebacker’s powerful 18-yard scoring run on which he plowed over several Eagles on his way to the end zone to tie it.
But the Eagles locked in from there, stifling the Seahawks on defense while the offense went to work. Haley and Fields again hooked up for a long pass to set up Morris’ 15-yard touchdown run, and Beaufort didn’t surrender the lead again. An acrobatic Bowersox interception set up a short field and led to Morris’ 7-yard scoring run for a 28-14 lead, and the dynamic senior back added a 5-yard touchdown after McLeod Reichel opened the second half with a long kickoff return.
Joe Caprarola added a 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, and the Eagles shut down the Seahawks the rest of the way to seal it.
Sneed had a monster game at quarterback, rushing for 200 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, and added six tackles on defense, but the Eagles held everyone else to a quiet night. Chris Marable led the Hilton Head Island defense with 12 tackles and a pass breakup.
Beaufort (5-1, 1-0) travels to James Island to continue region play next Friday. The Seahawks (1-4, 0-1) will open their renovated home stadium Friday, hosting Colleton County on their new artificial turf.
