Beaufort High’s Chaz Brown pursues a Fort Dorchester ball carrier at Beaufort High School on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Beaufort lost, 17-6. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

Bluffton 49, Whale Branch 0

It took most of the first half for the Bobcats to get the offensive machine running smoothly, but they finished with 481 yards of offense in a season-opening blowout. Aedan McCarthy was 15-for-19 for 262 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, while Kordell Holley racked up 121 yards and three TDs on 13 carries. Amare Patterson had six catches for 47 yards and two TDs, and Roman Benjamin snagged three passes for 73 yards and a TD.

Next Week: Bluffton (1-0) vs. Andrew Jackson; Whale Branch (0-1) vs. Hardeeville

Whale Branch’s Raimund Roell gets a punt away against Bluffton on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Whale Branch Early College High School. Amber Hewitt/The Island News

HHCA 36, Battery Creek 20

Reid McCollum passed for 220 yards and three touchdowns and added 97 rushing yards, as the Eagles scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions to take control of the game after falling behind early. Joey Houpt caught four passes for 91 yards and two TDs, and Thomas Gehm had seven catches for 59 yards and a score, while Hudson Baker and Kres Langhals added rushing touchdowns for the Eagles.

Next Week: HHCA (1-1) at Bethesda Academy; Battery Creek (0-1) at John Paul II

Laurence Manning 37, John Paul II 0

The Golden Warriors were humbled after a huge season-opening win, running into an experienced and talented Swampcats team on the road. After rolling up 305 rushing yards against Colleton Prep, JPII managed only 125 total yards and 88 rushing yards on 22 carries against LMA and was hampered by three turnovers. Jadon Inabinett led the Golden Warriors on the ground with 65 rushing yards on six attempts.

Next Week: JPII (1-1) vs. Battery Creek (0-1)

Beaufort Academy 41, Carolina Academy 28

Nych Underwood has had some monster games in his career, but he saved his best yet for his 18th birthday, rolling up 366 rushing yards on 26 carries and scoring five touchdowns — four rushing and one on a pick-six — to power the Eagles to a gritty win in a wild one on the road. The Bobcats closed within 33-28 in the fourth quarter, but Nic Shuford Jr. connected with Ben Davis for a 37-yard touchdown on fourth-and-12 to seal the win.

Next Week: BA (2-0) vs. St. John’s Christian

Fort Dorchester 17, Beaufort 6

Despite a stellar showing from Bryce Lybrand’s defense in the opener, the Eagles surrendered 17 unanswered points in the second half to drop their opener to the Patriots. Beaufort opened the scoring with just 20 seconds to go in the first half as Anthony Kahler rolled out to find Keaudre Jenkins in the end zone, but the Patriots found their spark on offense after halftime. Senior Chaz Brown led a commendable defensive effort for the Eagles.

Next Week: Beaufort (0-1) at Greenwood

— LowcoSports.com

Beaufort High’s Jayden Simmons celebrates after the Eagles’ touchdown against Fort Dorchester at Beaufort High School on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Amber Hewitt/The Island News
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