LowcoSports.com
At the halfway point of the high school football season, with most teams on the cusp of beginning region play, it seems a good time to revisit how each area region stacks up and which teams have a chance to play deep into the postseason this fall.
SCHSL 6-4A
REGION OVERALL
May River 0-0 4-0
Hilton Head 0-0 4-1
Bishop England 0-0 4-1
Bluffton 0-0 3-2
Beaufort 0-0 1-4
Colleton Co. 0-0 1-4
The Favorite: May River has done enough to this point to earn the favorite tag, jumping into the top five in the state rankings with a quick start while preseason favorite Beaufort has been plagued by injuries and struggled against a difficult schedule. The Sharks’ straight-forward ground game and team effort on defense have been a handful for opponents.
The Contenders: With Beaufort inching toward full health, the Eagles are still among the top contenders for the title in what still appears to be a wide-open region. Bluffton has enough offensive firepower to win a shootout any given Friday, while both Hilton Head and Bishop England have emerged as surprise contenders with strong defenses and reliable run games.
The Big Game: Take your pick of Lowco-on-Lowco showdowns, because every week will bring at least one pivotal contest, if not more. It starts Friday with the Bobcats visiting Beaufort and Hilton Head traveling to Bishop England.
SCHSL 6-3A
REGION OVERALL
Orangeburg-Wilkinson 0-0 4-1
North Charleston 0-0 4-1
Hanahan 0-0 3-3
Battery Creek 0-0 2-3
Oceanside Collegiate 0-0 2-3
The Favorite: Despite the records, former 2A power Oceanside Collegiate remains the team to beat in the region. The Landsharks have played a brutal schedule — quite the opposite of Orangeburg-Wilkinson and North Charleston — so they should be well-prepared for region play.
The Contenders: Hanahan figures to be a thorn in OCA’s side, with the Hawks’ three losses coming by a combined 19 points against three quality opponents, and O-W has shown an ability to win close games, so don’t count the Bruins out, either. Battery Creek could be a darkhorse if the Dolphins get Derrick Smalls Jr. and Damien Freeman back to full health.
The Big Game: Oceanside Collegiate travels to Hanahan on Friday in a matchup that will clarify the picture at the top of the region significantly.
SCHSL 5-2A
REGION OVERALL
Barnwell 0-0 5-1
Hampton Co. 0-0 4-1
Whale Branch 0-0 2-3
Lake Marion 0-0 2-3
Edisto 0-0 2-3
The Favorite: This one seemed easy until Hampton County was trounced at Hilton Head and Barnwell blew out a Silver Bluff team that gave the Hurricanes fits. Now it’s more complicated, but based on the entire picture, it would seem the Warhorses have assumed the mantle. Whether they can carry it home from Varnville on Oct. 18 is yet to be seen.
The Contenders: If the Hurricanes aren’t the favorite anymore, they’re the top contender, and regardless of which team wins the region, both Hampton County and Barnwell will be tough outs in the playoffs. Whale Branch has the talent to emerge as a contender, but the Warriors have work to do on both sides of the ball if they want to finish above third in the region.
The Big Game: Barnwell treks to Hampton on Oct. 18 in a matchup that seems destined to determine the region title.
SCISA 2-1A
REGION OVERALL
Thomas Heyward 2-0 4-1
Beaufort Academy 2-0 5-2
Colleton Prep 1-2 4-3
Patrick Henry 1-1 3-3
Faith Christian 1-2 1-5
Andrew Jackson Acad. 0-2 1-6
The Favorite: Thomas Heyward looks the part of a state title contender and as long as Tony O’Banner is standing upright, the Rebels will be a problem.
The Contenders: Beaufort Academy has cemented itself as the 1B to THA’s 1A, and the Eagles have their own workhorse in Nych Underwood. Plus, they get the Rebels at home to end the season.
The Big Game: Several big ones have already been played, leaving one monumental one at Merritt Field on Nov. 1, assuming the Rebels and Eagles both take care of business between now and then.
Eagles On TV
BCTV will be airing Beaufort High School’ home football game against Bluffton High School at 7:30 p.m., Friday night, Oct. 4.
BCTV can be found on cable channels Hargray – Chs. 9 and 417; Comcast – Ch. 2; Spectrum – Ch. 1304. BCTV also streams live on www.BeaufortCounty.tv and through the FREE BCTV APP available on ROKU, Apple TV, Android TV and Amazon Fire.
