By Justin Jarrett
LowcoSports.com
Downtrodden programs often talk about changing the culture, which is usually code for instilling a will to win that endures when things get tough. After two up-and-down seasons, Terrance Ashe is starting to see his Battery Creek football team turn a corner.
The Dolphins endured some early adversity and held off a pesky Ridgeland team on the road Friday for a 39-28 win that showed a glimpse of the bright future that awaits. And it might get sunny sooner rather than later.
Sophomore Damien Freeman bounced back after an early fumble near the goal line to rush for 186 yards and three touchdowns and help the Dolphins spoil opening night on the turf in Ridgeland’s renovated stadium. Fellow sophomore Derrick Smalls set the tone early with a 25-yard catch and run, making multiple Jags miss with nifty moves, and broke off a 90-yard kick return for a touchdown to put the Dolphins up 19-12 at halftime.
Freeman shared the load in the backfield with bruiser Jeremiah Mceachin thanks to the return of quarterback Hunter Smith, who opened the scoring with a 1-yard sneak and got the ball where it needed ontrito be all night.
The Dolphins’ defense played hard and fast and made things happen, as Ty Emmert and Nycholas Underwood each picked off passes and Daryl Blake recovered a fumble for a touchdown.
Battery Creek (1-1) opens its renovated stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Calhoun County.
Justin Jarrett is the sports editor of The Island News and the founder of LowcoSports.com. He was the sports editor of the Island Packet and the Beaufort Gazette for 6½ years. He has a passion for sports and community journalism and a questionable sense of humor.
