HHCA overpowers Calhoun Academy in playoff opener

In the eyes of Calhoun Academy head coach Adam Jarecki, Hilton Head Christian is deserving of the top seed in this year's SCISAA Class 2-A playoffs.

"That's the best team right there, no question," Jarecki said, pointing to Hilton Head Christian's huddle following his team's 30-7 loss on Friday night. "Nobody can match up with those guys."

For 10 consecutive games now, no team has.

The Eagles (10-1) used their prolific offense, stingy defense and flawless special teams to cruise past an injury-plagued Calhoun Academy squad, setting up a second-round playoff date with Colleton Prep next week.

"In these last few weeks, the guys have really put it together and stepped up their game," Hilton Head Christian coach Tommy Lewis said. "They've flipped that switch and have been playing really good football."

Calhoun Academy (4-7) looked like the dominant team in its first two possessions, collecting three first downs using a balanced offensive attack.

But the game's momentum quickly swung late in the first quarter when Hilton Head Christian defensive back Devin McGuinness intercepted a Jordan Rucker pass.

"It was blown coverage, actually," McGuinness said. "I thought we were in something else, so I just reacted to (the receiver) fast, got in front of him and made the interception."

The Eagles' offense took full advantage of the turnover, putting together a four-play, 60-yard drive capped off by a 27-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Luke Sirgo to receiver Zac Lenns.

Christian Academy team captain Ethan Gort got into the act on Calhoun's next possession, blocking a William Granger punt to set himself up for a 9-yard touchdown pass from Sirgo.

"Our defense is real tough right now," Gort said. "On offense, we started out kind of slow in our first game but we're clicking now, getting some things moving."

Gort, a 6-foot-7 senior, has 13 receiving touchdowns on the season.

"Having a guy like Gort is huge, pardon the metaphor," Lewis said. "If you play him one-on-one, it provides matchup problems unless they've got a kid that's 6-3 or taller. Most people don't have a defensive back that tall, so they put two guys on him. Of course, the more people they put out there, the more other things open up. It's a huge luxury to have."

The floodgates stayed open in the second quarter as Gort ran in an 11-yard touchdown and kicker Shea Watkins booted a 29-yard field goal to give the Eagles a commanding 24-0 lead at halftime.

McGuinness came up with his second interception on Calhoun's first drive of the second half, returning it 32 yards for another score. James Berl and Ryan Emery also had interceptions in the win.

"These last couple of games, the defense has played amazing," McGuinness said. "We're confident but we're not going to look past anybody."

Holding a 30-0 lead, the Eagles played their junior varsity most of the second half. Calhoun Academy's only score came with 38 seconds left in regulation when Rucker found receiver Jeff Grubbs for a 24-yard TD pass.

Next week's opponent is a familiar one. Hilton Head Christian defeated Colleton Prep 28-7 on Oct. 23, but Lewis isn't making plans for the state championship game just yet.

"When we played Colleton Prep here, they were getting ready to make it 21-14 right at the beginning of the fourth quarter when we just happened to force a turnover," Lewis said. "If they go in and score there, it's a totally different ballgame. We know they're capable."