By Justin Jarrett
LowcoSports.com
Assuming the hurr-uh-cun gets on through like it’s supposed to and doesn’t do too much damage, we should have a lovely afterglow for Lowco Friday Night, so y’all stay safe and we’ll see you at 12:30 p.m. Friday for Lowco Gameday Live over lunch and bookend it with Lowco Pigskin Live starting at 11:30 p.m. and going until we round up everything we can or collapse in a heap – all at LowcoSports.com.
Here’s a look at the matchups for Beaufort-area schools.
Beaufort (0-2) at Hilton Head (2-0)
Raise your hand if you’re panicked about Beaufort or hyped about Hilton Head. If you raised your hand, take a few deep breaths and check back with us on Saturday. By that time, if you’re still freaking out about the Eagles and/or hyperventilating with joy about the ‘Hawks, you’ll have good reason. Beaufort might be the best 0-2 team in the state — OK, second-best … we see you, Dutch Fork — and the Seahawks’ two wins to open the season have come against teams who are looking for their first win. It should be a competitive game, though, because BJ Payne’s defense has some playmakers, but Beaufort’s offensive line held its own against a strong Fort D front last week and several dangerous backs are emerging to form a committee to be reckoned with. This might be the week the Eagles put it all together, because the game is going to slow down after seeing two Class 5A powers. HHIHS QB Jackson Bibee has been terrific through two games, but Beaufort’s defense will by far represent the toughest test he has faced thus far. You can catch this one live on the WSAV Blitz Game of the Week (on CW) or on replay Sunday night and throughout the week on WHHI, and Beaufort’s Own will certainly be on the case, as well. Good times. — Beaufort by 10
Whale Branch (1-0) at Ridgeland (2-0)
Talk about two teams coming in hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot. The Warriors are fired up after routing North Charleston 46-6 on the road to open their season Thursday, after Jerry Hatcher made the late decision to move senior star KJ Chisholm to quarterback and let him run the show, which often involved handing it to Darrell Cummings, who is every bit the bruiser Hatcher promised us but has more breakaway speed than the ol’ ball coach let on at media day. Then you have the Jags, who are 2-0 for the first time since 2018 after a thrilling overtime win at Battery Creek in a game they absolutely had every chance to lose. Ridgeland’s offense is dangerous with three runners capable of putting up big numbers every week and some weapons on the outside, and the defense flies to the ball, hits hard, and loves to create turnovers. The Jags’ weakness has been on special teams — they allowed Derrick Smalls to take two kickoffs to the apartments last week — and that could be the difference with Chisholm roaming back there all night. — Whale by 7
Battery Creek (0-2) at Calhoun Co. (2-0)
The Dolphins did enough to deserve a dub last week, but it wasn’t in the cards thanks to a relentless Ridgeland team, and it doesn’t get much easier with a trip to St. Matthews to face the Saints, who beat a good Cross team in their opener and clobbered Lake Marion last week. Creek’s offense was effective on Friday, with Nyc Underwood leading the way with 153 yards on 13 carries and Chase Olsen and Juju Gordon hooking up for two TDs, but the Dolphins can’t count on Derrick Smalls to take two kickoffs back for TDs every week (though that would be very cool). Battery Creek either needs to cash in more often in the red zone or find ways to force more turnovers to get in the win column. — Saints by 6
John Paul II (1-1) at St. Andrew’s (1-1)
The biggest if in the Lowco this week is surrounding JPII star Christian Tilton’s status. If Tilton can return from the injury that sidelined him in the first half last week — and coach Shayne Milligan listed him as “questionable” Tuesday night — the Golden Warriors have a real chance to knock off the Lions on the road. But if Tilton can’t go, JPII is probably in trouble. Dynamic quarterback Zayden Edwards and the Lions will find a way to put up points, so the Golden Warriors’ best chance is Tilton doing his best Willis Reed at the Garden (look it up, kids) and willing JPII through in a slugfest. As of Tuesday, the if wasn’t falling in JPII’s favor, but Tuesday is a long way from Friday for a gamer like CT4. — Lions by 6
