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Eagles coach Mark Clifford told his team to be wary of the Dolphins' Week 1 loss to Class-A Estill. He said Battery Creek fell victim to turnovers and could turn things around.
"Any team in the country is going to lose if they have (five) turnovers," Clifford said. "They correct that, they're a great football team. Plus, they've got the motivation of a cross-town rivalry. Everything is out the window."
Beaufort High and Battery Creek experienced opposite starts to the season. The Eagles, showing off their stable of running backs and athletes on defense, ran over Hilton Head High, 44-3. The Dolphins, as Clifford alluded to, turned the ball over five times, four times in the red zone, in its 24-6 loss to the Gators.
But that's not where Clifford wants the Eagles' focus. He highlighted Battery Creek's strengths, taken from what he had seen during preseason and on film. He called this Battery Creek team one of the biggest he'd seen, with strength and speed on the line, and praised the Dolphins' fresh faces at the skill positions.
"We're just ready to play a tough, hard football game," Clifford said.
Battery Creek coach Carlos Cave expects the same after watching what the Eagles did at Hilton Head High. Beaufort High used seven running backs who averaged 9.9 yards per carry. None of the backs carried more than six times in dismantling the Seahawks.
"They're going to try to be as physical as they can be running the ball," Cave said. "They're going to mix in play-action off of the run and they're going to fly around on defense. They're very sound in what they do. You have to try to match their physicality and give yourself a chance in the fourth quarter."
Cave said the Dolphins' focus has sharpened this week knowing the problems from the week before were mostly self-inflicted.He said three of the Dolphins' four fumbles in Week 1 were unforced, and that two could have resulted in touchdowns if not for the turnover.
"We've got to protect the ball," Cave said. "We're not good enough to turn the ball over five times and come away with a win."
Who: Beaufort High (1-0) at Battery Creek (0-1)
When: Today, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Dolphin Stadium
Projected starters
Beaufort High
Offense: QB Beau Brown, FB Alex Simmons, TB Demeo Holmes/D'Vonta Cohen, TE Tyler Cieplowski, RT Cody Beals, RG Jabari Washington, C Rob Dennis, LG Benji Calderon, LT Tyler Walker, SE Jordan Broussard, FL Keith Carpenter
Defense: DE DeEndre Jefferson-Fields, DE Michael Bedwell, DT Dalvin Broussard, DT Detrell Gantt, LB Kevin Gess, LB Maliek Maldonado, OLB Malcolm Dantzler, OLB JaClay Mixon, CB Jeremy Robinson, CB Akeem Smalls, FS Davonte Green
Special teams: P/K Kyle Clark, K Mitchell Stewart
Battery Creek
Offense: QB Leroy Jennette, RB Brent Johnson, RB Keenan Wright, WR Jamario Williams, WR Kevin Sanders, WR Ryan Halley, LT Spencer Butler, LG Frank Price, C David Ratliff, RG Shakil Gause, RT Bear Childers
Defense: DL O.J. Richardson, DL Daquan Jamison, DL Justin Frazier, LB Javon Livingston, LB Jaylan Briggs, LB Dakody Mersino, LB Carlton Linnen, CB Brent Johnson, CB Kevin Sanders, S Keenan Wright, S Jamario Williams
Special teams: K Matthew Khardoli, K Okasea Blagrov, P Donald Furman, PR Kevin Sanders, KR Brent Johnson
BLUFFTON HIGH SCHOOL AT HARDEEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
With a 2-0 start and 84 points in the first two weeks of the season under first-year coach Ken Cribb, the surprise element is as good as gone for Bluffton High School.
The Bobcats, who won just three games a year ago, have already knocked off a pair of teams, Hilton Head High and Ridgeland High School, that they lost to last season. They will try to make it three -- all of them on the road, no less -- tonight at Hardeeville.
But they don't expect it to be easy against the Hurricanes, who have one of the top running backs in the area in Jarrell Knighton, a bruising downhill runner who isn't easily tackled.
"We're going to try to get to (their running backs) and hold on," Cribb said. "Eleven against one -- I think that kind of evens out the odds."
The Bobcats have had no trouble putting up points. Corey Stoner has filled in nicely for injured C.J. Frazier at the quarterback position, passing for four touchdowns in the two victories.
"We're coming and we're planning on putting some points on the board," Cribb said. "That's our philosophy every week. But they're very aggressive and very fast. They have guys that fly to the ball."
Bluffton will be without Desmond Jenkins for the second straight week. The starting wingback has a high ankle sprain. Eric Boyles picked up the slack in last week's win against Ridgeland with three touchdowns.
Hardeeville will try to improve on last week's 28-12 loss to Beach (Ga.), in which Knighton scored a touchdown and Gabriel Washington recovered a fumble for a touchdown.
"We feel like we took some steps forward after having a bad performance last week," Hurricanes coach Blake Raley said. "So we will line up and see how we stack up against a very good football team."
Who: Bluffton at Hardeeville
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Hurricane Stadium
Bluffton
Offense: QB Corey Stoner, WB Eric Boyles, WB C.J. Johnson, FB Zachary Scott, WR B.J. Kitty, WR Alfonza Powell, C Chris Tillotson, RG Andrew Nickerl, RT Michael Sulka, LG Kyle Waddell, RT Austin Chittum.
Defense: DE Alfonza Powell, DE B.J. Kitty, DT Anthony Gardner, DT Ladarius Hughes, ILB Michael Grant, ILB Lewis Black, OLB Taylor McDonnell, OLB Jimmy Tillman, CB Tony Burns, CB Anthony Smith, FS Travis Ramsey.
Special Teams: K/P Mallie Sprouse, KR Eric Boyles.
Hardeeville
Offense: QB Philip Harris, RB Jarrell Knighton, WR Donald Scott, WR Brandon Blackshear, WR Charlie Morrison-Ford, OL Jamal Kinlaw, OL Christopher Campbell, OL Landon Johnson, OL Terrell Knighton, OL Demetrius Garvin.
Defense: DL Christopher Tillis, DL Landon Johnson, DL Gabriel Washington, DL Philip Harris, LB Jarrell Knighton, Terrell Knighton, LB Dominique Riley, DB Charlie Morrison-Ford, DB Brandon Blackshear, DB Aaron Grant.
Special teams: P Brandon Blackshear, K Gabriel Washington.
RIDGELAND HIGH SCHOOL AT HILTON HEAD HIGH
After being outscored 83-3 in the first two weeks of the season, Hilton Head High has thrown out goals of wins and losses. Instead, the Seahawks are focusing on finding areas to improve.
The first step: They simply want to find the end zone. Easier said than done. The Seahawks have moved the ball inside the 20-yard line only once in the first eight quarters, as they have seen Bluffton and Beaufort High both dial up numerous blitz packages to put pressure on first-year starting quarterback Michael Julian.
Hilton Head High used the spread offense in one drive last week, and Julian responded with his most successful drive of the season, completing three passes and moving the team beyond midfield. The Seahawks may use that look more this week, coach Tim Singleton said.
"We're going to take what the defense gives us," Singleton said. "If people are going to load up and bring everybody, then we're going to line up and take our quick shots at them and get the ball downfield."
Ridgeland had no problems finding the end zone in its season opener, using its big, powerful run game to tally 38 points against Bluffton. Still, the Jaguars lost the game, 45-38.
Ridgeland controlled the clock, holding the ball for twice the time Bluffton did. But by the end of the game, when the Bobcats prepared for their game-winning touchdown, the Jaguars' defense broke.
Ridgeland coach Richard Kirkland said before the season he would like to pass more. But after one completion in Week 1, it appears the Jaguars will continue to rely on their running game.
Who: Ridgeland (0-1) at Hilton Head High (0-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Hilton Head Island Community Stadium
Projected starters
Hilton Head High
Offense: QB Michael Julian, RB Matt Bex, FB Mike Fotia, WR Robbie Iulo, WR Adam Orischak, TE/WR Desmond Bush, LT Taylor Place, LG Hunter Anderson, C Jake Morris, RG Luke Barsness, RT Justin Keller.
Defense: DE Corey Parrot, DE Timmy Rivers, DT Melvin Fields, DT Donnell Mitchell, OLB Taylor Place, OLB Jacob Lewis, MLB Raheem Williams, CB Shakane Simmons, CB Tony Clark, SS Lamond Wililams, FS Kevin Champen.
Special Teams: K Weston Mott, P Michael Julian, KR Matt Bex.
Ridgeland
Offense: QB Xavier Capers, RB Tyboshie Mikell, RB Jerry Scott, RB Torray Amlett, WR Hamilton Harris, WR Tyron Mikell, OT Jacque Polite, OT Aaron Watson, OG Larry Jackson, OG Wesley Scott, C Damon Jackson
Defense: DT Jaquel Howard, DT Larry Jackson, DE Jacquel Polite, DE Wesley Scott, LB Derrick Solomon, LB Damon Gadson, OLB Jerry Scott, OLB Shaquille Grant, CB Immanual White, CB Xavier Capers, FS Tyron Mikell
Special teams: K Xavier Capers, P Tyron Mikell, R Torray Amlett, R Shaquille Grant
HILTON HEAD PREP AT ST. ANDREW'S
The first victory of the season came six weeks earlier this season than last for Hilton Head Prep, but if the Dolphins want to pick up their second win tonight, they'll have to cut down on the careless mistakes they made in last week's 43-26 win against Charleston Collegiate.
"I wasn't very happy with what we did last week," Prep coach Ron Peduzzi said.
Peduzzi was pleased with his offense's big-play potential -- senior quarterback Matt Layman passed for 272 yards and connected on two long touchdown passes to junior Dimitri Lowry -- but he is concerned about a laundry list of mistakes that included five fumbles, several dropped passes, a bad punt snap and a handful of dropped interceptions on defense.
Eliminating those mistakes could be the difference between winning and losing a key region game against an improved St. Andrew's team.
The Saints are off to a good start under new coach Brock Miller, having opened the season with a tough, 14-12 win at Dorchester Academy and a 53-20 trouncing of Cathedral Academy.
Miller is familiar with the Dolphins from his days at Colleton Prep, and Prep knows what to expect from Miller's team -- discipline, a hard-nosed offense that wants to control the ball and the clock, and an aggressive defense.
Peduzzi said Lowry, who caught eight passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns and added an interception on defense, will not start at receiver or cornerback for undisclosed reasons. Peduzzi said Lowry is not injured and will play. Jon Dillon is expected to start in his place on both sides of the ball.
Who: Hilton Head Prep (1-0) at St. Andrew's (2-0)
When: Today, 7:30 p.m.
Where: St. Andrew's, Wilmington Island
Directions: Take U.S. 17 into Georgia and across the Talmadge Bridge and take the Oglethorpe Ave./GA-25 Conn. ramp toward downtown Savannah. Turn right on Whitaker St. and follow it until it ends at Victory Drive, then turn left. Follow Victory Drive/U.S. 80 onto Whitemarsh Island and turn right onto Johnny Mercer Blvd./GA-367. Continue until Hardee's, then turn right onto Penn Waller Road. St. Andrew's is on the right just past the YMCA.
Projected starters
Hilton Head Prep
Offense: QB Matt Layman, RB Scott D'Amico, WR Jon Dillon, WR Alex Orford, WR Zen Wiggins, WR Jeremy Haidon, LT Marc Halseth, LG Tommie Peeples, C Devin White, RG Collins Richardson, RT Kevin Glick
Defense: DT Kevin Glick, NG Dylan Powell, DT Collins Richardson, OLB Zen Wiggins, ILB Jeremy Haidon, ILB Marc Halseth OLB Bo Strimpfel, CB Jon Dillon, CB Alex Orford, FS LJ Orage, SS Scott D'Amico.
Special teams: K/KR/PR Dimitri Lowry, P Matt Layman, KR/PR LJ Orage, KR/PR Scott D'Amico
FLORENCE CHRISTIAN AT HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN
After a false start and a week away for the Upper School retreat, the Eagles are itching to begin their SCISAA Class 2-A title defense tonight against Florence Christian, a team that went 3-7 a year ago.
The Eagles were supposed to open their season two weeks ago at Hardeeville, but that meeting was wiped out by thunderstorms and a built-in week off for the retreat pushed back the opener another week.
Florence Christian opened its season last week with a 36-14 loss to Byrnes School in which it allowed 499 yards of total offense. Hilton Head Christian hopes to be able to similarly exploit that defense with senior quarterback Luke Sirgo leading the offense.
Despite that result, Eagles coach Tommy Lewis expects to face a team that is big up front, boasts some athletic players at the offensive skill positions and mixes up its defensive looks to keep his team off guard.
"It will be a challenge for us, especially not having any live game situation type play almost at all," Lewis said. "We have a lot of unknowns at this point, but that makes us all the more eager to get out there and play."
Who: Florence Christian (0-1) at Hilton Head Christian (0-0)
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Where: Eagles Field
Projected starters
Hilton Head Christian
Offense: QB Luke Sirgo, RB JaBrook Tucker, WR Alex Martin, WR Josh Mousseau, WR Eric Farr, TE Ryan Emery, LT Kyle Weaver, LG Cole Malphrus, C Alec Westmark, RG John Taylor Stones, RT Nick Borghi
Defense: DT Cole Malphrus, NG Kyle Weaver, DT Nick Borghi, OLB Ryan Smith, OLB Tyshawn Walls, ILB Jake Crandall, ILB Clay Oliver, CB Tyler Chisholm, CB J.D. Reichel, SS Eric Farr, FS Ryan Emery
Special teams: K/P Jake Crandall, KR Tyshawn Walls, KR JaBrook Tucker, KR Tyler Chisholm, PR Alex Martin
THOMAS HEYWARD AT BIBLE BAPTIST
Coming off a season-opening 30-6 victory against St. Paul Academy, the Rebels look to make it two in a row against Savannah schools tonight.
"We were happy to get the win last week, but we still made a lot of mistakes," Rebels coach Nic Shuford said. "That's pretty much what this week was all about, trying to correct those mistakes and get on the same page."
Shuford's biggest concerns are with the passing game, where the Rebels struggled in every facet from protection to route-running to hitting open receivers.
Thomas Heyward didn't have any trouble getting the running game going, though, as senior Logan Mock rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back Ahmaad Green and quarterback Jerel Richards left Bible Baptist's 41-8 loss to Bethesda Day with injuries last week, but Shuford said he expects both to play tonight. Richards rushed for 1,249 yards and 17 touchdowns last season and added 657 yards and six touchdowns through the air, but even if he isn't in the lineup, Shuford expects to face a tough dual-threat quarterback.
"When he got hurt, they brought in another kid and he ran the offense pretty well," he said, referring to backup Keynnard Campbell.
Who: Thomas Heyward (1-0) at Bible Baptist (0-1)
When: Today, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bible Baptist, Savannah
Directions: Take U.S. 278 to S.C. 170. Turn left onto S.C. 170 and follow the signs to Savannah. At the stop sign, turn right onto S.C. 46, which turns into U.S. 17. Stay on U.S. 17 and take a left at the next stop sign over the Talmadge Bridge. Merge into Interstate 16 West. Take the exit for Lynes Parkway (exit 164A. Stay on I-516 until it becomes DeRenne Ave. Stay on DeRenne Ave. Turn left onto Skidaway Road. The school is at 4700 Skidaway Road.
Projected starters
Thomas Heyward
Offense: QB JD Tuten, RB Logan Mock, SE Ward Burrus, WR Dylan Crosby, WR Anthony Arcuri, TE Bryan Lee Wade, LT Devon Riley, LG Mercer Clark, C Coulter Bergmann, RG Nick Ashcraft, RT Joe Laycock
Defense: DE Ward Burrus, DT Coulter Bergmann, NG John Padgett, DT Joe Laycock, DE Forrest Richardson, LB Bryan Lee Wade, LB Devon Riley, CB Logan Mock, CB Anthony Arcuri, FS JD Tuten, SS Dylan Crosby
Special teams: K/P JD Tuten, KR/PR Logan Mock
MILITARY MAGNET AT WHALE BRANCH
Whale Branch continues to impress, pushing its record to 2-0 after coming from behind to beat Hunter-Kinard-Tyler last week.
Both victories for the inaugural program have come against established teams. H-K-T reached the second round of the Class 1-A playoffs in 2009 and Baptist Hill posted a winning record.
The Warriors' offense seems to already have found a groove early in the season. Quarterback Stedmon James has completed 10 of 18 passes for 214 yards and three scores. He has also rushed for three touchdowns. Running back Josh Fields has passed the century mark and Andrew Byam is averaging almost 17 yards per carry.
On defense, the Warriors have been opportunistic. Linebacker Davon Mack returned a fumble for a touchdown during the victory over Baptist Hill and safety Dee Delaney's interception with 30 seconds remaining against H-K-T ensured the undefeated start.
Military Magnet, from Region 6-A, lost its opener to North Charleston, 40-14. The Eagles went 5-1 in their region in 2009 and lost to Timmonsville in the first round of the Class 1-A playoffs.
Who: Military Magnet (0-1) at Whale Branch (2-0)
When: Today, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Whale Branch stadium
Projected starters
Whale Branch
Offense: QB Stedmon James, RB Joshua Fields, RB Devonte Lykes, RB Andrew Byam, WR Dee Delaney, WR Frank Washington, OT Howard Allen, OG Donald Middleton, C Max Minter-Ford, OG Davon Mack, OT Jay Delaney
Defense: LB Trey Nelson, LB Davon Mack, LB John Little, LB Andrew Byam, DE Howard Allen, DE Jay Delaney, DT Mytae Jackson, DT Keith Henderson, CB Frank Washington, CB Robert Evans, FS Dee Delaney
Special teams: K Charles Jiles, P Stedmon James, LS Trey Nelson, R Joshua Fields, R John Little
Beaufort Academy at W.W. King
In 8-man football action, Beaufort Academy hits the road for a challenging matchup at W. Wyman King Academy. Tonight's opponent posted an impressive win over defending state champion Wardlaw Academy in its opener followed with a victory against state runner-up Patrick Henry last week.
"They've made a statement from jump street that they are here to be reckoned with," Beaufort Academy coach Wheatley Alford said.
To make things even more challenging, three Beaufort Academy starters won't be available. Leif Koppernaes and Jordan Littleford have to sit after being ejected in Week 1 and Bennett Fultz is out sick.
What: Beaufort Academy (0-1) at W.W. King Academy (2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1046 Sardis Road, Batesburg
Directions: Take I-95
•toward Florence for 52 miles. Merge onto 1-26 W via exit 86B toward Columbia for 57 miles. Turn right onto Augusta Rd. and drive five miles. Merge onto I-20 W toward Augusta for 18 miles. Merge onto US-178 W via exit 39 toward Batesburg-Leesville after eight miles. Turn left onto Church St and then right onto Saluda Ave. Follow for seven miles and then turn left on Sardis Rd.
PROJECTED STARTERS
Beaufort Academy
Offense: Adam Chahin, C; Matt Bass, G; Peyton Turner, G; Gibson Achurch, QB; Charlie Humphries, WR; Billy Dailey, WR; Jack Griffith WR; Patrick Walker, RB.
Defense: Patrick Walker, LB; Matt Bass, LB; Chanze Harris, S; Peyton Turner, CB; Jack Griffith; CB; Adam Chahin, DL; Peyton Turner, DL; Charlie Humphries, DL.
Special teams: Gibson Achurch, K/P; Chanze Harris, KR/PR.
