High School Football: Week 8 preview capsules
A capsule look at Week 8 high school football games:
Note: Games start 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Bluffton (3-4, 0-0 Region 8-AAAA) at Ashley Ridge (4-3, 1-0)
Last meeting: Bluffton 41, Ashley Ridge 28 (2013)
The skinny: After back-to-back losses, Bluffton is looking for anything to get its season back on track. A trip to Ashley Ridge could provide an opportunity, though the Swamp Foxes will be no pushover. Sitting at 5-3, Ashley Ridge started the season with four straight wins, including over Wando, a team that just routed Bluffton.
Player to watch: Terrance Heyward is perhaps Bluffton's best deep ball threat, if quarterback Alex Davis can get him the ball. It was in this game last year that Heyward sustained a season-ending knee injury, but before that, he was having a breakout game, including a 98-yard touchdown catch on a screen pass.
Key to the game: Bluffton's defense hasn't really been a problem this year, at least until it allowed 56 points to Wando. Was it the step up in competition, or a bad day at the office? A road test like this should tell us more.
Academic Magnet (6-1, 2-0 Region 6-AA) at Whale Branch (3-4, 2-0)
Last meeting: N/A
The skinny: Academic Magnet has won six straight since dropping its opener by 6 points at Lincoln County. The Raptors have sneaked past their first two region opponents, beating North Charleston by a touchdown and winning by a point over Garrett Academy Tech last week.
Player to watch: RB/LB Ezekiel Carter scored three touchdowns for the Warriors last week, one on defense.
Key to the game: The Raptors have a 1,400-yard rusher the Warriors are tasked with slowing. The opportunistic Whale Branch defense has been able to convert turnovers to points all season and might need another defensive assist in what could be a close game.
North Charleston (2-5, 0-2 Region 6-AA) at Battery Creek (1-6, 0-2)
Last meeting: Battery Creek 57, North Charleston 51 (2013)
The skinny: The Dolphins are trying to bounce back after their toughest loss of the season, a 27-21 overtime defeat at Bishop England. Their lone victory came by forfeit by Bluffton in Week Zero. North Charleston is coming off a 64-12 loss to Whale Branch.
Player to watch: Trevin Simmons has been taking snaps at quarterback this week and earned praise from coach Jim Shuman, who called Simmons his sixth-string quarterback. Injuries have decimated the Dolphins, including starter Rocky Smalls, who might be lost for the year.
Key to the game: Shuman is preaching a positive approach as his team continues to fight injuries and close finishes. To win, the Dolphins will need quick maturation from their younger players forced into key roles.
Thomas Heyward Academy (2-5, 0-3) at Hilton Head Christian Academy (5-2, 3-1), 7 p.m.
Last meeting: Hilton Head Christian 45, Thomas Heyward Academy 14 (2013)
The skinny: This one matches two area teams with opposite season storylines. The Rebels started with two surprise wins before dropping five straight, while the Eagles are soaring after a second straight slow start. Coach Ryan Mitch seems to have successfully implemented his spread offense at HHCA, while Nic Shuford continues to look for a way to stop THA's slide.
Player to watch: Eagles running back Andy Ballard had just four carries, but made them all count. Those four touches amounted to 103 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown, to go along with three catches, including two receiving touchdowns.
Key to the game: For the Eagles, the offense has really started to click amid a favorable portion of the schedule. It will be on quarterback Ryan Barrett and the rest of Mitch's playmakers to limit turnovers that could help the Rebels hang around.
Wade Hampton (3-4, 1-1 Region 5-AA) at Ridgeland-Hardeeville (4-3, 1-1)
Last meeting: N/A
The skinny: If we're going by schedule comparison, it appears that these teams are an even match. Both have beaten Silver Bluff and suffered close defeats against Estill. But the Jaguars are coming off a 33-0 shutout loss to Woodland. Still, Ridgeland-Hardeeville is undefeated (3-0) at home on the year.
Player to watch: After watching the Jaguars give up 33 points in a loss last week, coach Jahmaal Nelson will turn to standout linebacker Craven Howard, who also sees time as a running back, to lead the defensive charge. Howard's physical style and ability to make big plays has the potential to turn around any game.
Key to the game: At 1-1 in the region, this is looking like a pivotal contest for Ridgeland-Hardeeville, which has designs on postseason success. Woodland is probably the class of the region, and losing a road game there is no shame, but a home win over Wade Hampton is the type of game the Jaguars need to find a way to win.
Hilton Head Prep (5-2, 3-1) at St. Andrew's (Ga.) (1-6, 1-2), 7 p.m.
Last meeting: Hilton Head Prep 41, St. Andrew's 9 (2013)
The skinny: Prep has been consistently solid throughout the season, beating teams it should beat and battling with more talented opponents before ultimately succumbing to defeat. St. Andrew's falls into the former category. The Lions are just 1-6. This should be a good chance for the Dolphins to add a non-region win to their ledger.
Player to watch: Despite battling a lingering hamstring injury over the past several weeks, RB/WR Noah Sulek turned in a solid performance for the Dolphins in last week's win at Thomas Heyward Academy. Sulek is a vital piece of Prep's gameplan. Without him, coach Kevin Wald's offense has to work a lot harder to find points.
Key to the game: Wald has discussed finding ways to spread the wealth on offense, including getting the ball to 6-foot-3 senior Brennan Mikell. On defense, Zenon Parker and linebacker Keylan Hannah continue to be focal points.
Coastal Christian (0-7, 0-5) at Beaufort Academy (2-5, 2-3)
Last meeting: Beaufort Academy 64, Coastal Christian 20 (2013)
The skinny: Coastal Christian's last win was Oct. 26, 2012. It has allowed at least 40 points in each of its losses this season. The Eagles are coming off a 66-42 loss to St. John's.
Player to watch: Eagles QB Clay Melville earned praise for his play last week and also had 25 tackles on defense.
Key to the game: Beaufort Academy came away from last week's loss wanting a little better effort on defense. Coastal Christian provides the perfect chance to get back on track.
This story was originally published October 17, 2014 at 12:22 AM with the headline "High School Football: Week 8 preview capsules."