Warriors douse Dolphins’ quick start

LowcoSports.com

Battery Creek threw its best punch in an effort to retain the belt, but the Whale Branch Warriors answered with a barrage of 45 unanswered points to roll to a 45-12 home win in the crosstown rivalry Friday night in Seabrook.

After stunning the Warriors last season in Burton, the Dolphins drew first blood again Friday when Derrick Smalls found the end zone on Battery Creek’s first two series, but Whale Branch used its strength in the trenches to pile up 456 rushing yards on 46 carries along with six tackles for loss and five sacks on defense in a dominant effort the rest of the way.

Chase Olsen found Smalls for a touchdown pass on the opening series, and the Dolphins pounced on a botched snap to get the ball back and set up a Smalls touchdown run for a quick 12-0 lead.

That was the end of the good times for the Dolphins.

Whale Branch’s K.J. Chisholm moves the ball upfield to set up the first touch downagainst Battery Creek High School during the first half of their game Friday, Sept. 22, at Whale Branch Early College High School. The Warriors held to visiting Dolphins scoreless during the second half and came away with a lopsided 45-12 win, improving their overall record to 4-0. So far this year the Warriors have outscored their opponents 197-36. Bob Sofaly/The Island News

Bradford Thompson took over on both sides of the ball with 101 yards and a long touchdown on five carries along with eight tackles and three sacks; KJ Chisholm racked up 161 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries; and Darrell Cummings added 87 yards and a touchdown on nine carries to fuel the Warriors.

Whale Branch’s defense rebounded from the rocky start, as Treshon Hills led the way with eight tackles (one for loss), Dayaun Brown had two picks to go with five tackles, Jermon Bowers took an interception 71 yards to the house, and Davon Evans had a 14-yard scoop-and-score.

Battery Creek (0-6) opens Region 8-3A play at North Charleston on Friday. The Warriors (4-0) moved up to No. 4 in Class 1A in this week’s S.C. Prep Football Media Poll and travel to Bethune-Bowman to open Region 7-1A play Friday.