Bluffton loses opener at Erk Russell Classic

A high-powered Screven County offense spoiled the debut for Bluffton coach John Houpt.

Kim Hunter rushed for two scores and caught a TD pass as the Gamecocks defeated the Bobcats, 45-20, on Saturday at the Erk Russell Classic at Georgia Southern. The game was the first for Houpt, who took over for Ken Cribb.

Bluffton quarterback Hunter Eldridge threw for 157 yards and two scores in the loss. Eldridge hit Jermaine Patterson to give the Bobcats a 7-0 less than two minutes into the game. But Screven, the No. 2 ranked in Georgia Class 4A, scored on five of its seven possessions in the first half to lead 35-7.

South Carolina commit Tyquan Johnson had three catches for 61 yards for Screven.

John Swinton led the Bobcats on the ground with 59 yards rushing and a touchdown in the third quarter.

Bluffton is at May River on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

This story was originally published August 20, 2017 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Bluffton loses opener at Erk Russell Classic."