LowcoSports.com
Derrick Smalls Jr. had to watch from the sidelines while Battery Creek suffered its 16th consecutive loss to Beaufort High, and Hurricane Helene kept him waiting another week to get back on the field.
But Smalls made sure the return was worth the wait — or rather, the returns.
Creek’s star senior took a pair of punt returns to the house and turned a short pass from Chase Olsen into an eye-popping touchdown, leading the charge as the Dolphins routed visiting North Charleston 47-14 to open Region 6-3A play, clinching a playoff spot in the process.
Damien Freeman also returned from injury for the Dolphins and scored a rushing touchdown, while Nigil Fripp and Jordan Washington also added rushing scores, and Antonio Hampton picked off a pass.
Battery Creek (3-3, 1-0) has this week off before hosting region favorite Oceanside Collegiate on Oct. 18.
First Baptist 41, John Paul II 22
Bryant Jolley took a kickoff back for a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half and Thomas Gehm returned the second-half kickoff for a score to give the Golden Warriors a short-lived lead, but a defensive touchdown put the Hurricanes back on top midway through the third quarter, and First Baptist pulled away at home.
Bryant Jolley rushed for 65 yards on 12 carries and brought JPII within a 13-10 at halftime with a 73-yard kick return as the first half expired, and Gehm caught three passes for 53 yards in addition to his 82-yard kick return score, but the Golden Warriors couldn’t sustain much on offense with Connor Brown and Alan Wolf splitting time at quarterback. Brown had some success on the ground and scored a rushing touchdown.
Sebastian Slusne had eight tackles and two sacks and blocked a field goal, and Daniel Snyder and Carson Hurst each had seven tackles to lead JPII’s defense.
The Golden Warriors (0-6) look to pick up their first win Friday at Hilton Head Prep.
Bethesda Academy 40, Beaufort Academy 20
The Eagles’ powerful ground game met its match in Savannah, as the Blazers bottled up Nych Underwood and Dietrich Shuford and forced BA to the air, leading to Bethesda’s fifth straight win. Shuford was 17-for-26 for 257 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, connecting with Jace Paulk 11 times for 134 yards and a TD and throwing touchdown passes to Devin Fripp and Nic Shuford to keep the Eagles within 28-20 before the offense stalled.
Paulk also had a pair of interceptions on defense, and Tres Delaney collected eight tackles and forced a fumble.
BA (5-3) returns to region play at Faith Christian on Friday.
