Football Roundup: HH Prep, Battery Creek, Hardeeville fall in first round

Several big plays couldn't prevent Hilton Head Prep from bowing out in the first round of the SCISAA Class 2-A playoffs with a 57-37 loss at Thomas Sumter.

The Dolphins scored four touchdowns on passes of 65 yards or longer, and tallied another touchdown on Patrick Andrews' 40-yard interception return.

Down 14-0 after the opening quarter, the Dolphins rallied to trail 29-21 at halftime.

The host Generals broke the game open with 21 third-quarter points.

"Our kids never quit; they kept plugging away," Prep coach Ron Peduzzi said. "I'm really proud of their effort (Friday)."

Dimitri Lowry caught a pair of touchdowns for Prep, hauling in a 65-yarder and a 60-yarder from Matt Layman.

Layman also connected with Bo Strimpfel on a 70-yard TD pass and Andrews on a 60-yarder.

The Dolphins finished the season with a 4-7 record. The Generals improved to 7-4.

CROSS 14, HARDEEVILLE 6

Hardeeville gave top-seeded Cross a run for its money in the first round of the Class 1-A playoffs but saw its hopes of an upset disappear with a late-game interception at midfield.

After a Cross touchdown, Hardeeville's Brandon Blackshear tied the score with a touchdown pass from quarterback Donald Scott.

Hardeeville set up Cross' winning score with a botched punt, giving the Trojans the ball on the Hurricane 26. Cross took advantage of the short field with another touchdown and scored a 2-point conversion.

Running back Jarrell Knighton finished with 68 yards on 14 carries. He also had three receptions for 36 yards. Scott rushed for 111 yards on 16 carries and threw for 86 yards with two interceptions.

Cross improved to 9-2. The Hurricanes finish the season with a record of 5-6.

"We're obviously disappointed, but we made some great strides (this year)," Hardeeville coach Blake Raley said.

LAKE CITY 46, BATTERY CREEK 12

Battery Creek's season came to an end in the opening round of the Class 3-A playoffs with a lopsided loss to Lake City.

"We ran into a buzzsaw tonight," Battery Creek defensive coordinator Tyrone Pierce said. "They were stronger than us up front. ... We didn't have any idea they were going to be as physically strong as they were."

Both of Battery Creek's touchdowns came through the air. Leander Mobley caught a 5-yard TD pass and Alex Sharp hauled in a 40-yarder, both from quarterback Stedman James.

Lake City improved to 10-1. Battery Creek ended at 3-8.

"We made it to the playoffs," Pierce said. "It was a successful season for us."