Above: Beaufort’s Eamon Smalls (99) tackles a South Florence ball carrier hard enough to cause a fumble and allowing teammate Jamar Knight to move in for the recovery. The Beaufort defense toughed out the dismal weather conditions and held South Florence scoreless during the second and third quarters Friday, Nov. 11, helping the Eagles to win their first-round playoff game, 30-14. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
LowcoSports.com
The region crown got away, but the Beaufort High football team’s ultimate goal is still on the table, and the Eagles took their first step toward a state title run with an impressive 30-14 home win over South Florence on Friday in a matchup of top 10 teams.
Tyler Haley and Zyrin Odom hooked up for a pair of first-half touchdown passes, Joe Caprarola booted three fields, and Beaufort’s dominant defense slowed down a dynamic Bruins attack to propel the Eagles into a second-round trip to North Augusta.
Beaufort came up with a big play early when Colton Phares raced 52 yards for a touchdown on a fake punt to cap the Eagles’ first series. South Florence answered quickly, as Malik Terry broke a 42-yard run to set himself up for a 1-yard scoring plunge to tie it.
Haley and Odom took over from there, as the duo connected for a 46-yard bomb and added a 15-yard scoring strike to break it open. Caprarola connected from 28 yards to make it 24-7 at halftime, then booted 41- and 40-yard field goals after the break.
The Bruins added a late touchdown to cut into the margin, but the Eagles’ work was done. Beaufort (9-2) has won three straight and will travel to North Augusta on Friday.
ROUND 1 PLAYOFF RESULTS
SCHSL Class 4A
North Myrtle Beach 27, May River 7
Beaufort High 30, South Florence 14
Aiken 25, Hilton Head High 8
North Augusta 31, Bluffton 12
SCHSL Class 3A
Crestwood 47, Battery Creek 10
SCHSL Class 1A
Whale Branch 19, East Clarendon 0
SCISA Class 2A
Beaufort Academy 33, Florence Christian 25
Pee Dee Academy 48, John Paul II 16
Hilton Head Christian 47, Carolina Academy 0
Williamsburg Academy 49, Hilton Head Prep 16
SCISA Class 1A
Thomas Heyward def. Dillon Christian (forfeit)
Thomas Sumter 28, Colleton Prep 21
FRIDAY’S ROUND 2 PLAYOFF SLATE
SCHSL Class 4A
Beaufort High (9-2) at North Augusta (6-5)
SCHSL Class 1A
Whale Branch (7-1) at Lake View (9-2)
SCISA Class 2A
Pee Dee Academy (9-1) at Hilton Head Christian (10-0)
Williamsburg Academy (9-0) at Beaufort Academy (6-3)
SCISA Class 1A
Thomas Sumter (5-5) at Thomas Heyward (9-1)
