LowcoSports.com
The South Carolina high school football season kicked off Saturday night at Charleston Southern University, where a rebuilding Beaufort Academy team lost 42-7 to rising SCISA Class 4A power Northwood Academy in the SCISA Kickoff Classic.
While the Eagles saw 64 percent of their total offensive output and a stalwart lineman graduate last spring, the Chargers returned a ton of talent and added depth in an effort to build on last year’s 6-5 debut under veteran coach Johnny Waters.
The mismatch was apparent from the start. The Chargers connected for a deep pass on the first play from scrimmage and had a touchdown called back on the second play, only to put it back in the end zone two snaps later. After a defensive stand on BA’s first series, Northwood quickly struck again for a 14-0 lead, which the Chargers extended to 35-0 by halftime.
Battery Creek transfer Nyc Underwood didn’t have much room to run early as BA’s inexperienced offensive line had a difficult time containing the Chargers’ rush, but he found success in the second half and finished with 71 yards on 19 carries, getting the Eagles on the board with a touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Senior quarterback Dietrich Shuford was 8-for-13 for 120 yards with an interception and rushed five times for 36 yards, with Devin Fripp snagging four passes for 48 yards and Jace Paulk adding 67 yards on three catches. Grady Lamm had a team-high six tackles and Paulk added five for BA’s defense.
BA (0-1) plays its home opener at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Hilton Head Prep. The Eagles beat the Dolphins 28-0 last season, and Hilton Head Prep takes a 24-game losing streak into its first game under new coach Doug McFadden, a veteran college coach.
