Eagles extend win streak vs. Dolphins
By Justin Jarrett
LowcoSports.com
Between Beaufort High’s worst start in five years, the Eagles’ brutal injury report, and Battery Creek’s crop of senior leaders, it seemed feasible that the stars would align and give the Dolphins a chance to end the drought that defines the crosstown rivalry.
Beaufort’s next men up had other ideas.
Backup quarterback Caleb Stephan threw a pair of touchdown passes and made big plays with his legs all night, Elias Johnson carried the load on the ground and found the end zone, and Qualeek Isnar scored twice as the Eagles pulled away for a 34-7 win — their first of the season and their 16th straight against Battery Creek.
Chase Olsen hit Nijay Wright for a 28-yard touchdown pass to trim the margin to 14-7 midway through the second quarter, but Will Codding plowed in for a touchdown after a 26-yard run by Johnson to make it a 14-point game at halftime and the Eagles pulled away in the second half.
Beaufort (1-4) was without quarterback Samari Bonds and receiver Amare Patterson for the second straight game, but Stephan was poised at the helm of the Eagles’ offense. A tipped pass resulted in an interception near the end zone to thwart Beaufort’s first drive, but Stephan bounced back to throw touchdown passes to Isnar and Jaemin Odom for a 14-0 lead.
Johnson and Stephan both did damage on the ground against a depleted Battery Creek defense that was without versatile star Derrick Smalls Jr., among others.
The Dolphins (2-3) hope to have Smalls and fellow running back Damien Freeman back for another rivalry game Friday against Whale Branch. Beaufort has a bye this week and expects Bonds back for its region opener against Bluffton on Oct. 4. Patterson said he could be back as soon as the Bluffton game, as well.
Justin Jarrett is the sports editor of The Island News and the founder of LowcoSports.com. He was the sports editor of the Island Packet and the Beaufort Gazette for 6½ years. He has a passion for sports and community journalism and a questionable sense of humor.
