Battery Creek at Beaufort High
The Dolphins haven’t beaten crosstown rival Beaufort High since 2003, which dates back before some of the players in this year’s clash were born. The Eagles’ average margin of victory during the streak is 33.1, so it hasn’t even been competitive. Could Battery Creek turn the tide this season and end the streak? Sure, but the Dolphins will have to play far more disciplined than they did in last week’s 9-6 loss to Whale Branch. Beaufort had a tough time running the ball in last week’s 37-21 loss at A.C. Flora, so look for the Eagles to try to exploit a Battery Creek secondary that was untested last week, facing only one pass attempt. The Dolphins couldn’t get anything going in the passing game last week, either, and they’ll need to be more balanced to end the streak.
Prediction: Beaufort High 33, Battery Creek 6
Cross at Whale Branch
The Warriors rolled to a 47-0 road win over the Trojans a year ago, but this year’s matchup will look completely different. The Trojans are a senior-laden team that opened the season with a 16-14 win over Burke, while the Warriors had to grind out a 9-6 win at Battery Creek as they break in a bevy of a new starters and players in larger roles. Whale Branch’s offense is awfully one-dimensional, but the power-speed combination of bruiser De’Arius Hazel and shifty quarterback Jaylen Reeves, combined with a hard-nosed defense, should be enough for the Warriors to improve to 2-0.
Prediction: Whale Branch 27, Cross 12
Beaufort Academy at Clarendon Hall
The Eagles kick off their SCISA 8-man state title defense with a rematch of last year’s 52-33 loss in coach Mark Clifford’s BA debut. BA enjoyed a meteoric rise after dropping the opener to the Saints, but the Eagles have a number of key holes to fill from last year’s state championship squad, including star running back De’Shaun Epps and defensive leader Edward McCormick. BA will endure some growing pains early again this season, and Clarendon Hall is a tough team to open with, especially on the road.
Prediction: Clarendon Hall 37, Beaufort Academy 33
