Playoff preview: Local teams hope to avoid 1st-round knockout

Tim Singleton has been involved some way or somehow in just about every 50-point performance in Hilton Head High's football history.

As a player, offensive coordinator and head coach for the Seahawks, he's seen his fair share of impressive offensive showings. But after Friday night's 55-21 win against Bluffton High School, there was no question which one was at the forefront of his mind.

"That might have been close to the best offensive game we've had in a long time," he said. "The kids finally figured it out. They get in open space and make things happen.

"... But in order to move along in the playoffs, we're going to have to make that a trend."

The Seahawks will approach that task tonight, when they host Socastee in the first round of the Class 3-A postseason at 7:30 p.m.

Quarterback Jeff Homad, running back Lawrence Jenkins and wide receiver Victor Frazier are all coming off career highs in yardage with the hopes of carrying that momentum into the playoffs.

Frazier also set the school record for receiving yardage in a season during the game. He now has 684 yards on the year to go along with eight touchdowns.

"We've got great momentum," Frazier said. "We're starting to peak at the right time."

Of course, the 2008 Seahawks entered the postseason with similar momentum. But that was abruptly halted with a 28-27 loss to South Aiken in the first round, a game in which the Seahawks led by 20 points midway through the fourth quarter.

The loss doesn't come up much at Hilton Head High, but it certainly will provide some motivation tonight.

"We talked about it at the beginning of the week, but that's it. We're not going to harp on it," Singleton said. "That's my thing to get over. This year's team is a whole different team. We don't dwell on it. There's nothing you can do about past failures."

Socastee, which finished 5-5 on the year, and its run-heavy offense has been tough to defend at times this season, thanks to its size up front.

But the Hilton Head High defense has shown improvement down the stretch, allowing only a total of 27 points the past three weeks.

"We're going to stay solid,stay sound, stay aggressive and stick to the fundamentals," Singleton said. "We need several hats around the ball at all times."

Who: Socastee (5-5, 3-2 Region 7-AAA) at Hilton Head High (6-4, 4-1 Region 8-AAA)

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Hilton Head Island Community Stadium

PROJECTED STARTERS

Hilton Head High

Offense: QB Jeff Homad, RB Lawrence Jenkins, FL Jaquan Cohen, FB Michael Fotia, WR Clifford Morrow, WR/TE Victor Frazier, LT Hunter Anderson, LG Zack Kiritsy, C Forest Bryan, RG Jack Duane, RT Marcus Johnson.

Defense: DE Forest Bryan, DT Raheem Williams, DT Melvin Fields, DE Luke Barsness, LB Ray Harrington, LB Kenny Robinson, LB Jack Duane, CB Clifford Morrow, CB Hanief Smith, FS Victor Frazier, SS Lamond Williams.

Special teams: P Jeff Homad, K Weston Mott, KR/PR Clifford Morrow.

CALHOUN ACADEMY AT HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN

As is often the case in the first round of the SCISAA Class 2-A playoffs, this is a matchup of teams headed in different directions. The Eagles have won nine in a row after wrapping up the SCISAA Region 2-AA title with last week's 24-10 win at Northwood Academy, while the Cavaliers have lost six of their past seven, including lopsided losses to Orangeburg Prep and Colleton Prep, two of Hilton Head Christian's victims during its winning streak.

But Eagles coach Tommy Lewis said some of the Cavaliers' results are misleading.

"When you go to the video of each of those games, they are in every one of those games at halftime," Lewis said. "They're much better than their record or the final scores would indicate."

Lewis said the Cavaliers' depth up front has been depleted by injuries -- he said they will start some junior varsity call-ups on the line Friday -- but he still expects to see a balanced and versatile offensive team that will show multiple looks ranging from the wishbone to an empty-backfield shotgun set.

"They try to play to their strengths and play to whatever the defense is giving them," Lewis said.

Lately, the Eagles' defense hasn't been giving much of anything. During their nine-game win streak, they've allowed only 8.4 points per game, and last week's performance might have been their best defensive showing of the season. They limited 2,000-yard rusher Uriah Singleton to 55 yards on 17 carries.

The Eagles last faced Calhoun Academy in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, when they beat the Cavaliers 33-14 on the road and eventually lost to Hilton Head Prep in the championship game.

Who: Calhoun Academy (4-6) at Hilton Head Christian (9-1)

When: Today, 7 p.m.

Where: Eagles Stadium, Hilton Head Christian Academy

PROJECTED STARTERS

Hilton Head Christian

Offense: QB Luke Sirgo, RB Eric Farr, WR Ethan Gort, WR Zac Lenns, WR Alex Martin, TE Ryan Emery, LT Kyle Weaver, LG John Taylor Stones, C Alec Westmark, RG Wesley Cooler, RT Nick Borghi.

Defense: DT Ryan Smith, NG Kyle Weaver, DT Lamar Johnson, OLB Ethan Gort, ILB Michael Hull, ILB Wesley Cooler, OLB JaBrook Tucker, CB Devin McGuinness, CB Weston Butler, FS James Berl, SS Shea Watkins.

Special teams: K Shea Watkins, P/PR Zac Lenns, KR JaBrook Tucker.

BATTERY CREEK AT LAKE CITY

Just a few weeks ago, Battery Creek's football team was plagued by a string of seven losses in its last eight games, searching for answers in a season that began with such promise. Now, after a convincing 48-point win in their regular-season finale against Lake Marion, the Dolphins will face Lake City in their second straight Class 3-A playoff appearance following a four-year drought.

It all marks quite the turnaround for the Dolphins, who are as equally explosive on the football field and hope to be peaking at the right time.

"We've had a good week of preparation and I'm excited about the way our defense has been flying around the field," Battery Creek coach Carlos Cave said. "The good thing is that we run the same defense as Lake City, so we got a very good look in our offensive preparation with what they might throw at us."

And when it comes to Lake City's defense, any advantage is welcome. The Panthers have allowed just 9.3 points per game this season and, in the last two weeks, forced six fumbles against Socastee and held Georgetown to just 60 total yards. Offensively, the Panthers have proven just as efficient, averaging nearly 42 points a contest behind the big-play ability of Shrine Bowl selection Sheldon Robinson and running back Shon Robinson (25 touchdowns).

Offensive line play will prove key for Battery Creek, as it looks to establish the same productive balance of run (seven scores between tailbacks Joshua Fields and Cecil Franklin) and pass (a 9-for-12, 136-yard performance for quarterback Stedman James) that it found last week.

A shift to a more intermediate passing game has granted James more confidence in the pocket and helped maximize the open-field speed of wideouts Leander Mobley and Alex Sharpe. Should the Dolphin defense put together an effort similar to the one that forced a season-high four turnovers last week, the Dolphins will have the opportunities necessary to keep up with the Panthers.

"We're a heavy zone-blocking team, so we've been working hard this week on picking up blitzes, and if we put the right foot forward, we should be able to account for that," Cave said. "We just need to play smart and with a lot of intensity, because like last week, this is do-or-die time."

Who: Battery Creek (3-7) at Lake City (9-1)

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Ward Memorial Stadium

Directions: Take I-95 North toward Florence. Follow I-95 about 102 miles to US-378 E (exit 135) toward Tuberville. Continue on US-378 E for about 19 miles. Turn right onto North Matthews Road. Destination will on left at 652 North Matthews Road.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Battery Creek

Offense: QB Stedman James, RB Cecil Franklin, WR Alex Sharpe, WR Ryan Halley, WR Leander Mobley, WR Devon Anthony, LT Spencer Butler, LG Dominik Lawton, C David Ratliff, RG Oliver Webb, RT James Childres.

Defense: DE Jeremy Brown, DT Sam McDonell, DT Daquan Jamison, DE Alejandro Black, LB Spencer Shine, LB Trey Nelson, LB Luke Johnson, CB Cleon Wright, CB Damien Miles, SS Ricardo Chaney, FS Norman Jenkins.

Special Teams: K/P Jon Mostowy, KR/PR Damien Miles, Cleon Wright.

HILTON HEAD PREP AT THOMAS SUMTER

This is getting to be an annual occasion -- Hilton Head Prep and Thomas Sumter tangling in the SCISAA Class 2-A playoffs -- and if recent history is any indication, the teams' fourth postseason meeting in as many years ought to be a good one.

The Dolphins and Generals have met in the playoffs each of the past three seasons, with the three games being decided by a total of 12 points. Prep won the 2006 and 2007 games, while the Generals won 27-19 last season en route to a runner-up finish.

The key to Prep's chances of turning the series back in its favor could be the status of junior quarterback Matt Layman, who has missed the last four games after breaking his left fibula Oct. 2 against Northwood Academy. Peduzzi said Layman returned to practice on a limited basis this week and will be a game-time decision. If Layman can't play, freshman Jeremy Haidon will get his fifth consecutive start at quarterback.

Both teams closed the regular season on a good note after enduring some struggles. The Generals won three of their last four after snapping a three-game losing streak, and Prep has been in must-win mode for nearly a month after starting the season with six consecutive losses. The Dolphins responded with four consecutive victories, including three against region opponents, to sneak into the playoffs.

In the meantime, Prep coach Ron Peduzzi has seen his young team grow up -- and possibly grow into the role of playoff spoiler. The Dolphins always boasted a dangerous offense, but the defense that struggled early in the season has benefited from the move to a 3-5 scheme that better fits Prep's personnel and has allowed the Dolphins to hold its last four opponents to 13 points per game after allowing more than 42 points per game in their first six games.

"We've gotten better," Peduzzi said. "We settled on people at certain places and stayed with them there the past month, and it's worked out for us."

That defense will be tested by a balanced offense led by senior quarterback Blake Stengel (1,265 passing yards, 12 touchdowns), running back Michael Fitzgerald (930 yards, seven touchdowns) and receivers Harrison Cardone (594 yards, seven touchdowns) and Ricky Mello (574 yards, six touchdowns).

Who: Hilton Head Prep (4-6) at Thomas Sumter (6-4)

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Thomas Sumter Academy, Dalzell

Directions: Take I-95 until you reach exit 122 toward Alcolu/Sumter. Take exit and turn left onto US-521 North. Turn left onto South Guignard Parkway, which will become South Guignard Drive. Follow the signs to stay on US-521 North. Take the SC-441 ramp toward Bishopville. Turn right onto SC-441/Peach Orchard Road, then turn left onto Camden Highway. The school will be on the right.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Hilton Head Prep

Offense: QB Jeremy Haidon, RB Matt Bex, WR DeAnte Scott, WR Dimitri Lowry, WR Patrick Andrews, WR Alex Orford, LT Aidan Brougham-Cook, LG Austin Baker, C Devin White, RG Nick Haidon, RT Marc Halseth.

Defense: DT Nick Haidon, NG Austin Baker, DT Marc Halseth, OLB Patrick Andrews, ILB Bo Strimpfel, MLB Taylor Place, ILB Scott D'Amico, OLB Matt Bex, CB Dimitri Lowry, CB DeAnte Scott, FS Jeremy Haidon.

Special teams: K Logan Clark, KR/PR Dimitri Lowry, P Matt Bex, KR/PR DeAnte Scott.

CANE BAY AT RIDGELAND

By Richard Kirkland's count, it's been 14 years since Ridgeland last hosted a playoff game, a streak that will be broken with Friday's Class 2-A first-round home contest against Cane Bay and a reality that hasn't quite hit all of his Jaguars players.

"A lot of our guys are basketball players, so you can tell that some of them are thinking, 'Man, we're supposed to be getting ready for basketball season right now,' " said Kirkland, whose team will also make its first postseason appearance in five years. "We're excited to be at this point and looking to change some things around here."

So far, so good for the Jaguars, who have surprised many with a big-play offense that's averaging nearly 22 points per game despite losing its top two offensive players from a year ago. Much of this production has come from tailback Brent Walker, whose rushed for 427 yards and scored five times in the past four games.

But its the Ridgeland defense that Kirkland said has made the difference. In last week's comeback victory against Edisto, the Jaguars held the Cougars to eight points in the second half and allowed the offense to overcome a 17-6 halftime deficit with 22 unanswered points.

On the other hand, Cane Bay enters its first-ever postseason on a down note after being outscored 90-24 in its past two games. The Cobras will depend on running backs James Bishop and Fritz Simmons to turn things around and anchor an offense that's shown potential by tallying 30 or more points in four games this season.

Eliminating turnovers -- the Jaguars had five last week -- and shaking off any postseason jitters will prove key for both teams. But with the home crowd and a peaking offense on their side, the Jaguars hope to grab the upper hand early.

"We've got some great athletes on both sides of the ball," Kirkland said, "so we're going to keep running hard and attacking on defense and hope for some more positive results."

Who: Cane Bay (4-6) at Ridgeland (6-4)

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Ridgeland High School

PROJECTED STARTERS

Ridgeland

Offense: QB Walter Nix, RB Jerry Scott, RB Brent Walker, FB Torray Amlett, WR Tyrone Mikell, WR Tyboshie Mikell, LT Jacque Polite, LG Wesley Scott, C Trey Woods, RT Larry Jackson, RG Damon Gadson.

Defense: DE Wesley Scott, DT Josh Sibert, DT Larry Jackson, DE Jacque Polite, LB Issac Scott, LB Damon Gadson, LB Jacob Ferguson, LB Malik Mitchell, CB Walter Nix, CB Tremaine Stevenson, S Tyrone Mikell.

Special teams: K Jerry Scott, P Tyrone Mikell, PR Jerry Scott, KR Jerry Scott/Torray Amlett/Immanuel White.

HARDEEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL AT CROSS

The Hurricanes will play in the postseason for the first time since the school split from Jasper County in 2007. That's the good news.

The bad news -- they'll travel to face Cross, the No. 1 seed in the Class 1-A Lower State and a team that handed the Hurricanes a 47-17 loss earlier this season.

"Cross is definitely one of the hardest draws," coach Blake Raley said. "...They handled us pretty well during the first matchup and they are coming in playing some good football at the right time."

Hardeeville comes into tonight having won two of its past three games, including last week's 47-12 blowout of Lincoln. Jarrell Knighton surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in that game for the second time in his career. The Hurricanes rushed for a school-record 418 yards in the game.

Hardeeville will rely heavily on Knighton and the run game in order to turn things around against Cross in tonight's matchup. But they also plan to add a few new wrinkles to help make the offense a bit more diverse.

"Some things we haven't shown on tape and hopefully we can unwrap those and have some success," Raley said. "I don't plan on leaving anything in the back pocket. No use in saving it for next year."

Who: Hardeeville High School (5-5, 3-3 Region 6-A) at Cross (8-2, 6-0 Region 6-A)

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Hardeeville

Offense: QB Donald Scott, FB Michael Kinlaw, RB Jarrell Knighton, TE Clarence Brooks, WR Brandon Blackshear, WR Lenard Lovett, OL Terrell Knighton, OL Marquis Moody, OL Landon Johnson, OL Marcies Wright, OL Jamal Kinlaw.

Defense: DL Landon Johnson , DL Gabrieal Washington, DL Clarence Brooks, DL Terrill Housey, LB Dominique Riley, LB Terrell Knighton, LB Tyshawn Walls, LB Charlie Morrison-Ford, CB Oliver Lawton, CB Aaron Grant, FS Brandon Blackshear.

Special teams: K Marquis Moody, P Lenard Lovett, KR Donald Scott/Jarrell Knighton.

GOOSE CREEK AT BEAUFORT HIGH

With region play over and a playoff spot essentially guaranteed for both Beaufort and Goose Creek high schools, it'd be easy to dismiss Friday's regular-season finale as just another game. But that's far from the case.

Both teams are fresh off defeats in their unofficial region title games last week, with Beaufort falling to Summerville and Goose Creek losing to Berkeley, and after ending last season on a three-game slide, the Eagles know the danger of riding a losing skid into the postseason.

The good news for Beaufort High is that Friday will mark the return of several key players from injury, with running back Josh McPherson, defensive lineman Ralpheal Snell, defensive back Akeem Smalls and linebacker JaClay Mixon all expected to play. The not-so-good news for the Eagles is the Gators possess one of the state's biggest offensive lines, led by North-South selection DeAndre Shell, and have 10 of 11 returning starters on defense, anchored by Shrine Bowl linebacker Malcolm Howard.

"Goose Creek has a big and talented offensive line," Eagles coach Mark Clifford said, "and while they blitz on defense, they don't blitz as much as we saw with Summerville last week because it takes away from the effectiveness of their linebackers, who are good at attacking the run."

A strong defensive attack held Beaufort to a season-low 140 rushing yards in what Clifford called the "worst offensive output" in his six years as head coach. But while neither McPherson nor leading rusher Alex Simmons (thigh contusion) will get the start, their physical run styles will bode well in countering the Gators' defense.

The Eagles' defense will see an equally run-heavy offense in Goose Creek, which is led by running back Ranoy Hines (939 yards and five touchdowns) and fullback Virgil Smalls (625 yards and nine touchdowns). Time of possession will again prove key, but with both squads able to eat up clock, the difference could come down to one or two big plays.

"We're very close to full strength, which is a great thing around this time," Clifford said, "but we're going to have come out hard and have to come out fast because we don't want to get behind in a game like this."

Who: Goose Creek (7-3) at Beaufort High (7-3)

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Eagle Stadium

PROJECTED STARTERS

Beaufort High

Offense: QB Beau Brown, RB Demeo Holmes, RB D'Vonte Cohen, WR Dymonte Gwathney, WR Travis Lawton, TE Tyler Cieplowski,LT Karl Lyttle, LG Alex Amaya, C Jack Ferreri, RT Patrick Dennis, RG Xavier Morris.

Defense: DE Cody Gasque, DT Dalvin Broussard, DT Detrell Gantt, DE DeEndre Jefferson-Fields, OLB JaClay Mixon, ILB Justin Parker, ILB Brandon Frazier, OLB Maliek Maldonado, CB Calvin Atkins, CB Devonte Green, S Jalin Mack.

Special teams: K Kyle Clark, P Tim Britton, PR/KR Dymonte Gwathney.