Top photo: The Hilton Head Prepatory School’s middle school volleyball team took second place in the 5th Annual St. Francis Volleyball Tip-Off Classic on Sept. 9. Photo courtesy of Hilton Head Prepartory School.
FUNDRAISERS
BA program raises funds for St. Jude’s
The annual Beaufort Academy Football – Touchdowns Against Cancer Campaign to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is underway.
“This opportunity is very special to me,” said Scott Richards, BA football head coach. “In 1994 and 1995, as a 20-something year old football player at East Carolina University I was fortunate enough to be a part of a team that was selected to play in the Liberty Bowl. … Part of the Liberty Bowl experience is that every player is invited to visit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and meet some of the most courageous kids on this planet. … I will tell you that once you visit a kid’s room that is battling for his/her life and you see them light up when you enter the room as if you are the greatest thing they have ever seen, you begin to think of the game of football in a whole different light.
“So, as this year’s football season approached I was presented this unique opportunity to share my St. Jude’s experience with my football team and join MaxPreps (High School Sports website) and Pledge.com to again give back to this amazing place.”
The coach is asking friends, family, fans and the community to help raise more than $3,000 for St. Jude’s. To contribute anything from $1 and up, visit www.pledgeit.org/tac16-beaufort-academy-eagles-beaufort-sc. Donations must be made by Thursday, Sept. 15.
Golf tournament to raise funds for kids
The Neighborhood Outreach Connections 4th Annual Fore the Teachers Golf Tournament will be held Friday, Sept. 30, at Port Royal Plantation on Hilton Head. There will be men’s, women’s and mixed flights with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. A lunch and awards presentation will follow play. There will be many prizes, including a hole- in-one-prize for a one-year lease on a new BMW, donated for the event. This golf tournament raises funds to finance only the direct operational costs associated with bringing teachers into neighborhoods to support NOC’s learning activities at its six Learning Centers that serve more than 450 children. To register, visit www.noc-sc.org.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Beaufort High levels Whale Branch, 55-13
Host Beaufort High set the tone early and gradually pulled away to defeat longtime rival Whale Branch 55-13 in a high school football matchup on Sept. 9.
With the win, Beaufort High improved to 3-1. Whale Branch slipped to 1-2 with the loss.
Beaufort High returned to the win column following a loss to familiar foe Bluffton one week earlier. Host Bluffton beat Beaufort High 35-14 in a game played on Sept. 2. Wyatt Sherpensky paced Beaufort High in the victory, rushing for two touchdowns in the first quarter and returning a kickoff 90 yards for a score in the third period. A highly-productive performer, Sherpensky ranks as one of the area’s top high school football players. The Eagles scored first and never trailed. Beaufort High led 21-0 before Whale Branch answered with its first score. In between two Sherpensky touchdowns, Omar Cummings broke free and scored on a 44-yard run for the Eagles in the first quarter. Irvan Mulligan delivered a 5-yard touchdown run for Whale Branch’s first score. But the Warriors couldn’t get any closer. Extending the lead shortly after intermission, Beaufort High scored on its first possession in the third quarter. Later in the game, Chris Wilson added the Warriors’ second touchdown on a 20-yard run. Whale Branch lineman Chris Wilson blocked a Beaufort High punt in the Warriors’ loss. Both Beaufort High and Whale Branch will be in action at home in upcoming games.
Beaufort High is scheduled to host May River on Thursday, Sept. 15. Kickoff for the Beaufort High-May River football game is set for 7:30 p.m.
Whale Branch is scheduled to host Battery Creek on Friday, Sept. 16. Kickoff for the Whale Branch-Battery Creek football game is set for 7:30 p.m.
Bluffton blanks New Hampstead
Bluffton rolled past visiting New Hampstead (Ga.) 54-0 in a high school football game on Sept. 9.
With the win, Bluffton moved to 4-0. New Hampstead dropped to 1-3 with the loss.
The Bobcats own additional wins in the 2016 season over Screven County (Ga.), May River and Beaufort High. Bluffton continued to excel both offensively and defensively during its latest outing. The Bobcats, under the direction of head coach Ken Cribb, set the tone early. Bluffton outscored New Hampstead 23-0 in the first quarter and carried a 30-0 lead into halftime. Adding to its lead shortly after intermission, Bluffton scored three more touchdowns in the third quarter to take a commanding 51-0 lead into the final period. Helping to vault the Bobcats to the win, Cameron Bent rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Bluffton quarterback Hunter Eldridge completed 8-of-15 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Showing some versatility, another Bluffton back, Jermaine Patterson, rushed for two touchdowns and caught a pass for another score. Cory McKie scored on a run and David Chappelear connected on a 34-yard field goal in other scoring for the Bobcats. Chappelear booted his field goal in the final quarter. Bluffton recorded a safety and also got a score from its special teams unit when Ashby Cribb returned a kickoff 55 yards for a touchdown. New Hampstead’s offense was held in check throughout the matchup. Quarterback Calvin Turner completed only 3-of-9 passes for 51 yards and an interception for the Phoenix in the lopsided loss.
Bluffton is scheduled to host Hilton Head on Friday, Sept. 16. Kickoff for the Bluffton-Hilton Head football game is set for 7:30 p.m.
Hilton Head Christian drops lopsided game
Host Hilton Head Christian Academy couldn’t contain First Baptist School during its latest outing in the high school football season. First Baptist pulled away to beat host Hilton Head Christian 69-8 on Sept. 9.
With the loss, Hilton Head Christian dropped to 1-2. First Baptist improved to 3-1 with the win.
Thriving as part of a dominant performance, First Baptist scored first and never faltered. First Baptist pulled away to win convincingly in the early-season prep football matchup. The Hurricanes won after suffering a shutout loss to Pinewood Prep one week earlier. Pinewood Prep blanked First Baptist 21-0 in Summerville on Sept. 2. First Baptist opened the current campaign strong, notching back-to-back wins over Charleston Math & Science and Burke. The Hurricanes shut out Charleston Math & Science 47-0 in a season opener in Charleston on Aug. 19. Then, remaining in the win column in its next outing one week later, First Baptist beat Burke 54-3 in Charleston on Aug. 26. Leading Hilton Head Christian offensively in the setback to First Baptist, Zach Doe rushed 13 times for 83 yards and one touchdown. Doe accounted for the Eagles’ only score, breaking free to score on a 70-yard touchdown in the lopsided loss. Defensively for Hilton Head Christian, James Bartholomew and Daniel Harrington registered a team-high six tackles apiece in the setback. Individual matchup problems were present for Hilton Head Christian in the contest. First Baptist used a size advantage to claim the victory.
Hilton Head Christian has turned its focus to Colleton Preparatory Academy. The Eagles will face Colleton Preparatory Academy on Friday, Sept. 16. Kickoff for the Hilton Head Christian-Colleton Preparatory Academy football game is set for 7:30 p.m.
Hilton Head blanks May River, 53-0
Host Hilton Head High shut out upstart May River 53-0 in an early-season high school football game on Sept. 9.
With the win, Hilton Head moved to 3-0. May River slipped to 0-4 with the loss.
Bryce Singleton put Hilton Head out in front early, hauling in a 75-yard scoring pass from quarterback Collin Kaiser on the game’s first play from scrimmage. And Singleton wasn’t done. Striking again shortly after his long touchdown reception, Singleton ran back a May River punt 65 yards for another score. Hilton Head, under the direction of veteran head coach B.J. Payne, used multiple big plays to distance itself from May River in the prep football matchup. Josh Bell scored on a 92-yard touchdown run for the Seahawks. On another long scoring pass for the Hilton Head football team, Kaiser hooked up with Tyler Hamilton on a 62-yard touchdown toss. P.J. Franklin and Sterling White delivered additional touchdown runs for the Seahawks, who excelled offensively, defensively and on special teams. Leading Hilton Head’s special teams unit, kicker Jonathan Orr drilled a 27-yard field goal. Defensively for Hilton Head, Darius Hill returned an interception 15 yards for a touchdown. Hill, who picked off a pass by May River quarterback Joseph Tapscott, had a 100-yard interception for a touchdown called back due to a penalty.
Through three games, Hilton Head has outscored opponents 141-11.
Both Hilton Head and May River are due back on the field later this week. Hilton Head is slated to visit Bluffton on Friday, Sept. 16. In another high school football game, May River is scheduled to visit Beaufort on Thursday, Sept. 15. Kickoff for each upcoming high school football game is set for 7:30 p.m.
Hilton Head Prep topples John Paul II
In former head coach Kevin Wald’s return, Hilton Head Prep pulled away to defeat visiting John Paul II 54-0 in a high school football game on Sept. 9.
Hilton Head Prep landed in the win column after suffering back-to-back losses to Orangeburg Prep and Thomas Heyward Academy.
With the win, Hilton Head Prep improved to 1-2. Remaining winless, John Paul II dropped to 0-4 with the loss.
The Dolphins are now under the guidance of head coach Dave Adams.
Leading Hilton Head Prep to the victory, Mac Orie scored three touchdowns. Orie provided a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown prior to halftime. He scored on runs of 6 and 10 yards in the first quarter. Giving the Dolphins an added boost after the break, quarterback Stone McDonald passed for two touchdowns in the second half. McDonald completed four-of-six passes for 55 yards. He hooked up with receiver Javonne Watson on a 25-yard scoring pass in the second quarter. Completing another scoring pass, McDonald connected with Dorsey Barker on a 24-yard scoring toss in the third period. Hilton Head Prep fullback Reese Irwin broke through and scored on a 73-yard run as the Dolphins secured a big lead early. Blake Sollie scored on a 3-yard fumble return as part of Hilton Head Prep’s winning effort. Starting the scoring for Hilton Head Prep, kicker Waddy Brooks connected on a 42-yard field goal on the Dolphins’ first possession. The Dolphins thrived both offensively and defensively. Hilton Head Prep held John Paul II to only 34 yards of total offense. Quarterback Nyleem Wright paced John Paul II offensively. Leading the Golden Warriors in rushing, Wright scampered for 29 yards. The John Paul II quarterback completed 2-of-9 passes for 28 yards. Reliable receiver Karl Johnson was on the receiving end of both of Wright’s completions. John Paul II leading rusher Rashad Battiste was limited to 22 yards on 16 carries.
Hilton Head Prep is slated to host Palmetto Christian Academy on Friday, Sept. 16. In another contest set for Friday, Sept. 16, John Paul II is due to visit Dorchester Academy. Kickoff for the each of the upcoming high school football games is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Dee Delaney records 2 interceptions in win
The 15th-ranked Citadel football team moved to 2-0 on the season after defeating Southern Conference (SoCon) foe Furman 19-14 inside Johnson Hagood Stadium on Sept. 10. The win came in front of 12,009 fans, the highest attendance for a home opener since 2013.
Furman (0-2, 0-1 SoCon) struck first in the game, taking a 7-0 lead after the Bulldogs fumbled the opening kickoff on the 25-yard line.
The Citadel (2-0, 2-0 SoCon) answered one drive later, wearing down the Paladin offense with a 16-play, 75-yard drive that ran 5 minutes off the clock and was punctuated with a Jordan Black touchdown from one yard out.
The game remained knotted at 7-7 with 4 minutes remaining in the second quarter until Furman muffed a punt and Khafari Buffalo recovered the ball at the four-yard line. Black found the end zone from one yard out again for his second touchdown of the day and The Citadel, unable to convert the PAT after a low snap, took a 13-7 lead into halftime.
Furman earned its second score of the game with 1:19 remaining in the third quarter on a one-yard run to take a 14-13 lead.
The score remained 14-13 until The Citadel got the ball back with 6:45 remaining in the game. The Bulldogs marched down the field thanks to two 20-plus yard throws by Dominique Allen and then the junior punched it in from one yard out to give The Citadel a 19-14 lead after the two-point conversion failed. The 10-play, 78-yard drive left the Paladins with 4:38 on the clock but the Bulldogs’ third interception of the game, this time by Malik Diggs, gave The Citadel the SoCon victory.
Whale Branch Early College High School graduate Dee Delaney grabbed two interceptions in the game and now has nine in his career. The junior’s two interceptions moved him into a tie for fifth with
Chris Carter.
The Bulldogs finished the contest with four forced turnovers and held Furman to 5-of-13 (.385) on third down.
The win marks the second time in program history and first time since 1963 that The Citadel opened its season with two straight Southern Conference games when it hosted William & Mary in week one and played at Davidson in week two. The win also marked the first time The Citadel started 2-0 in the SoCon in back-to-back seasons.
The Bulldogs will now hit the road for a non-conference matchup at Gardner-Webb at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17.
COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY
USCB cross country team sweeps weekly honors
The USCB cross country team swept the first Sun Conference Runner of the Week honors, the conference office announced on Sept. 5.
Betsy Douglas was named the women’s Runner of the Week and Nic O’Neill took men’s Runner of the Week honors in voting by the league’s sports information directors. Douglas opened the season with a dominant victory at the Palmetto Cross Country Festival in Columbia, winning the 5K women’s race in 19 minutes, 2 seconds — 2:29 ahead of runner-up Janay Chisholm of Columbia College.
O’Neill led the Sand Shark men in their season-opening race, finishing ninth in 17:48.
The Sand Sharks will be back in action Sept. 17 at the Winthrop Adidas Invitational in Rock Hill.
GIRL’S HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
Beaufort Academy beats Holly Hill, 5-2
Beaufort Academy pulled away to beat Holly Hill Academy 5-2 in non-region girls’ high school tennis on Sept. 7. The Eagles earned their third win of the season. With the win, Beaufort Academy improved to 3-1 overall. The Eagles are 2-0 in the region. Familiar foes, Beaufort Academy and Holly Hill Academy met in a rematch of the 2014 SCISA girls’ title tilt.
GIRL’S HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
BA drops match to St. Andrew’s
The Beaufort Academy volleyball team dropped a match to St. Andrew’s on Sept. 7. St. Andrew’s beat Beaufort Academy 3-1 in the high school volleyball match.
St. Andrew’s started strong, winning the first two sets. Beaufort Academy however, battled back, managing to win the third set. Still, St. Andrew’s wouldn’t be denied a win. St Andrew’s won the fourth set to claim the victory.
BHS Lady Eagles best Colleton, Cane Bay
The BHS Lady Eagle volleyball teams traveled to Colleton County High for a tri match with Colleton County High and Cane Bay on Sept. 6.
Both the JV and varsity teams won their matches to start the region play for the season.
The Junior Varsity team defeated Cane Bay in a best-of-three match, dropping the first set 25-27, but coming back strong and winning the second and third sets 25-10 and 25-7.
Chase Vaigneur led the offense with 11 kills, followed by Caroline Malphrus with six kills and Brittany Linton with four kills. Strong setting was provided by Zyaire Middleton, who provided 16 sets for kills. Malphrus led the Lady Eagles in serving with eight serves for aces and long serving runs; Malphrus and Vaigner, along with libero Sakura Simmons provided strong defensive digs.
The JV team defeated Colleton in two sets – 25-11 and 25-9. Vaigneur, Malphrus and Linton once again provided strong offense, powered by setting from Middleton, along with Halle De Jesus.
Powerful serving from Malphrus, Vaigneur, DeJesus, and Middleton helped seal the victory.
The Beaufort High Varsity Volleyball team started off with a win against the Cane Bay Cougars, winning their best of three match in two sets – 25-19 and 25-20.
The Lady Eagles defeated the Colleton County Cougars, winning two out of three sets, with scores of 25-16, 19-25, and 25-23. Smith and Phillips led the offensive charge in this match with 7 kills each; while Gallion and Purdy provided kill sets of 11 and 10 respectively.
Purdy led the team in aces with 5, and Fancher led the defense with 16 digs.
CHEERLEADING
BHS Cheer Clinic set for Oct. 1
Students in pre-kindergarten through middle school are invited to learn football cheers, chants, jumps and a dance from Beaufort High cheerleaders during the Football Cheer Clinic on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Beaufort High School – and then will be invited to perform as the halftime show at the next Eagles home game. The clinic, held at the high school gym from 1-4 p.m., costs $35 for pre-registration and $40 at the door. The clinic includes instruction, a cheer clinic T-shirt, group photo and refreshments. Siblings are admitted for $30. Pre-registration by Sept. 26 is strongly encouraged for the clinic. Last year the event attracted 130 youngsters. Check-in for the clinic starts at 12:30 p.m. in the Beaufort High main gym.
Forms may be turned in to a BHS cheerleader or mailed to Denise Boswell, 27 Cedar Crest Circle, Beaufort, SC 29907. Forms may also be dropped off at the BHS office in care of coach Hillary Savarese. Checks should be payable to “Big Green Booster Club” with “Cheer Clinic” in the memo. Cheer clinic forms are available at beaufortathletics.olinesports.com/links.php and at the front-door office at Beaufort High.
WOMEN’S COLLEGE SOCCER
Weslake scores in Clemson’s 5-2 win
Five different players scored Clemson’s five goals in its 5-2 victory over Nebraska at Historic Riggs Field.
Clemson and Nebraska met for an early-season women’s college soccer game.
With the win, the 13th-ranked Tigers improved to 5-2. The Cornhuskers dropped to 6-2 with the loss.
The Tigers got on the board first with a goal by sophomore Miranda Weslake just four minutes into the match, with an assist on a long, well-placed pass by sophomore Sam Staab. Weslake is a Beaufort
Academy graduate.
Nebraska evened the score just a minute later on a goal by Meg Brandt, and then took a 2-1 lead with a goal on a 20-yard free kick in the 10th minute by Caroline Flynn. Clemson scored twice in the final five minutes of the half, as seniors Emily Byorth and Tori Andreski gave the Tigers a 3-2 lead
at halftime.
The second half was all-Clemson, offensively. Senior Claire Wagner caught the Nebraska keeper far out of the net and launched a shot from nearly 50-yards over the keeper’s head in the 51st minute.
Senior Jenna Polonsky added the Tigers’ fifth and final goal in the 74th minute, and was assisted by Weslake, who crossed the ball in from the left side.
For the match, the Tigers outshot the Cornhuskers, 27-7, and 11-2 in terms of shots on goal.
Clemson will return to action on Friday, Sept. 16 for its ACC opener at Wake Forest.
The match between the Tigers and Demon Deacons kicks off at 7 p.m. in Winston-Salem, N.C.
