May River (2-1) at Beaufort (2-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday
This has been one of the Lowco’s best rivalries for years, even after the Eagles dropped to Class 3A and the stakes were ostensibly lowered. Both teams consider themselves to have a claim as the Lowco’s strongest program, and the annual head-to-head battle to prove it has become a yearly delight. The Sharks have put up eye-popping offensive numbers in two straight wins as quarterback Tanner Macy leads a more balanced attack than in years past and Jordan Williams is emerging as a workhorse back. Beaufort’s defense has been battle-tested, though, and the Eagles fly to the ball and don’t miss many tackles, so the Sharks won’t get the benefit from massive yards-after-catch that they’ve seen the last two weeks. May River’s defensive front has been stout but will be tested against an excellent Beaufort offensive line that has created space for Jadyn Andrews to emerge as a breakout star in the backfield, and Samari Bonds bounced back from a rough night at Hilton Head to deliver one of his best performances as an Eagle. The difference in competition level up this point could be the difference in the fourth quarter. — Beaufort by 7
Bluffton (2-1) at Battery Creek (0-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday
It doesn’t get any easier for the Dolphins, whose depth chart has been decimated by injuries. Bluffton’s offense is loaded with dangerous weapons and QB Owen Bayes knows how to utilize them, so Battery Creek needs to be able to control the ball and clock on offense and limit the Bobcats’ opportunities. That will be a challenge with sophomore running back Nyc Underwood still banged up along with Damien Freeman, but the ground game has shown prowess. If the Dolphins can establish the run and the defense can get a couple early stops, Battery Creek can dictate the pace and make it a fight to the finish, but the Dolphins will have to display much better tackling than they did against May River or the Bobcats will run away. — Bobcats by 20
Burke (0-4) at Whale Branch (2-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
Get to Seabrook early if you want to see the Warriors’ stars, because they should be watching the second half from the sidelines. The Bulldogs come to town having been outscored 149-20 in their first four games, including a 49-0 drubbing at Calhoun County last week, and they could be in for more of the same against a rested Whale Branch team that is hitting on all cylinders. Darrell Cummings should be able to get to the century mark rushing for the third straight game and call it an early night, and if the Bulldogs find a way to bottle him up, KJ Chisholm and Bradford Thompson can carry the load. The offense shouldn’t have any trouble generating enough support for a Warriors defense that has dominated the first two games and ought to be able to continue the trend with Alonzo Allen and Thompson leading the charge. — Warriors by 40
Orangeburg Prep (1-2) at Beaufort Academy (4-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
This one looks like another easy win for the undefeated Eagles on the surface, but you can be sure BA won’t overlook an Indians team coached by Don Shelley, who led Williamsburg Academy to a blowout win over BA en route to a state championship last season. This BA team has something to prove and will be ready for a fight Friday, and the Eagles are bringing plenty of weapons to the scrap. Jaxen Porter and Devonte Green are a wicked 1-2 punch in the backfield, and quarterback Dietrich Shuford can recognize when the defense is trying to take them away and hurt opponents with his arm or his legs. BA’s strength on the offensive line and on defense are the differencemakers late in games, and even if OP manages to hang around for half, the Eagles should wear them down after halftime. — BA by 20
Pinewood Prep at John Paul II
7:30 p.m. Friday
It was a tale of two teams against Friday for the Golden Warriors, and the same looming question will hang over JPII’s camp against this week: Can Christian Tilton go? JPII’s glue guy was on the field to start the game and led the Golden Warriors to a 14-0 lead before reinjuring his ankle on the second offensive series, leaving JPII one very big piece away from being able to hang on. Playing without Tilton has helped others grow up quickly, and it showed in the team’s fight last week, but Pinewood Prep boasts a dynamic offense and some electric playmakers on defense, and JPII simply doesn’t have the horsepower to keep up if CT4 is sidelined. This “line” moves considerably if Tilton is anywhere near 100 percent. — Pinewood by 21
– LowcoSports.com
