<em>Photo above:&nbsp;After a stellar 3-0 start, the Beaufort High Eagles suffered their first loss Friday, Sept. 7, against non-region opponent Wayne County (Ga.). Here, the team runs through a thick blanket of<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>artificial fog before the start of the game. Photo by Bob Sofaly.</em>

<b>Wayne County hands Beaufort High first loss</b>

Beaufort High suffered its first loss of the season, as a powerful Wayne County (Ga.) team defeated the Eagles 35-7 on Friday.

The Yellow Jackets, led by former Bluffton coach Ken Cribb, led 21-0 after the first quarter.

Jeffrey Smyth hit William Winburn for an 18-yard touchdown pass to cut it to 21-7, but the Yellow Jackets answered with a long touchdown on their next offensive play and added another score for a 35-7 halftime lead.

The Eagles (3-1) were scheduled to travel to Valdosta (Ga.) Friday, but that game has been canceled. Beaufort will travel to Blythewood on Sept. 21.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

<b>BA racks up offense<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>in rout of RWA</b>

Beaufort Academy put up huge offensive numbers for a second consecutive game, routing Richard Winn Academy 68-28 on Friday.

De’Shaun Epps rushed for 345 yards and six touchdowns, Dawson Coleman was 7-of-10 for 150 yards and four scores, and Edward McCormick had a big night on both sides of the ball to lead the Eagles.

McCormick caught two touchdown passes and led the defense with 12 tackles and four sacks. Will Tumlin and Daniel Richards also caught TD passes for BA.

BA (2-1) was scheduled to host Holly Hill Academy for a region game Friday, but that game will be rescheduled.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

<b>Mulligan, Warriors<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></b><b>hold off Jaguars</b>

Whale Branch built an early lead and held off visiting Ridgeland-Hardeeville for a 37-26 win Friday.

Irvin Mulligan rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries, including two TDs in the second half, to help the Warriors rebound from their first loss last week at May River.

Jadon Grant and C.J. Brown scored rushing touchdowns and Henry Tome booted a field goal to give Whale Branch a 16-0 lead. After a Jaguars score, Mulligan’s first TD of the night made it 23-6 at halftime.

The Jaguars twice pulled within 10 in the second half, but Mulligan answered with a touchdown run each time, including a 60-yard burst that made it 37-20 and sealed the win.

Marion Smalls had three interceptions to go along with seven tackles and two pass break-ups for the Warriors.

Whale Branch (3-1) has a week off before traveling to Philip Simmons on Sept. 21.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>