High school football Week 5 preview capsules

A capsule look at this week's area high school football games:

Ridgeland-Hardeeville (1-3) at Battery Creek (0-4), 7:30 p.m.

Last meeting: Ridgeland-Hardeeville win 34-6 in 2014.

Last week: Ridgeland-Hardeeville beat Military Magnet 58-0; Battery Creek lost 27-14 to Beaufort.

The skinny: This will be a matchup of two running teams. Battery Creek's Jim Shuman said the Jaguars have good speed, but the Dolphins have the size advantage in some key areas. "We have to come out and play the way we did against Beaufort while reducing the penalties and mental errors and we should be just fine," Shuman said. Jaguars coach Jahmaal Nelson said his team's win last week was a step in the right direction, but they have a long way to go. "I think Battery Creek is a whole lot better than their record shows," Nelson said, "and we have to play very well to win. The weather that is expected could be problematic for both teams, also." Both teams are mostly healthy.

Manning (2-2) at Beaufort (2-2), 7:30 p.m.

Last meeting: Beaufort win 21-20 in 2014.

Last week: Manning lost 18-12 to Murray; Beaufort beat Battery Creek 27-14.

The skinny: A common trait of had coach Mark Clifford's teams is they consistently get better as the season goes on. Last week, despite the absence of Jeffrey Tookes, the Eagles got the running game into full gear against Battery Creek. Wyatt Sherpensky rushed for more then 200 yards, while Omar Cummings was explosive, as well. If Beaufort eliminates the mistakes that had them trailing in the third quarter against Battery Creek, it should win this week.

Bluffton (4-1) at Hilton Head Island (4-0), 7:30 p.m.

Last meeting: Hilton Head Island won 12-7 in 2014.

Last week: Bluffton beat Whale Branch 42-7; Hilton Head Island was idle.

The skinny: With a combined record of 8-1, this may be the most evenly matched game in the history of this series. There will be a lot of speed on the field. Expect two things: 1. Bluffton will try and take advantage of Hilton Head Island's size on defense. 2. This game will come down to turnovers and special teams play.

Windsor Forest (Ga.) (1-3) at Whale Branch (1-3), 7:30 p.m.

Last meeting: Whale Branch won 49-7 in 2014.

Last week: Windsor Forest lost 32-0 to Screven Co. (Ga.); Whale Branch lost 42-7 to Bluffton.

The skinny: Whale Branch head coach will be happy next week when his team gets to face a squad of the same size. But he has to ride it out this week against a 4-A team from Georgia. Nonetheless, the Warriors pulled off a big win last season. "We seem be evenly matched," Hatcher said. "(We're) still fighting the self-inflicted wounds."

Cathedral Academy (1-2) at Beaufort Academy (1-4), 7:30 p.m.

Last meeting: Cathedral Academy won 34-22 in 2014.

Last week: Cathedral Academy was idle; Beaufort Academy lost 62-32 to Ridge Christian.

The skinny: The Eagles are healthy, though a few players have been under the weather this week. Beaufort Academy head coach Scott Richards is happy with the way his team has played. "We play to win and feel like we have another opportunity to do that this week," Richards said. "Cathedral is very similar to us, they have low numbers and they have a lot of tough athletic kids that play a lot of football. We are trying to simplify our scheme this week in hopes of eliminating the mental errors late in games and concentrate on execution. If we do that, along with protect the football, we give ourselves the best shot to win."

Bethesda Academy (5-0) at Hilton Head Christian (1-3), 7 p.m.

Last meeting: Hilton Head Christian won 67-54 in 2014.

Last week: Bethesda Academy beat Frederica Academy 29-20; Hilton Head Christian lost 38-13 to First Baptist.

The skinny: The Eagles will have their hands full with an unbeaten Bethesda team. "We are going to have to control the clock and limit their big plays. Winning the turnover margin will be huge," Hilton Head Christian head coach Matt Smith said. "At this point, we are continuing to improve. Our lack of size and experience has been an obstacle in the first part of the season." Smith said the Eagles have a few injuries, but he is optimistic his young players will step up.

Hilton Head Prep (2-2) at Curtis Baptist (1-3), 7:30 p.m.

Last meeting: Curtis Baptist won 24-23 in 2014.

Last week: Hilton Head Prep beat Palmetto Christian 48-0; Curtis Baptist lost 48-0 to Augusta Prep Day.

The skinny: With the Dolphins back at .500, they have the opportunity to string together a couple of wins and guarantee a second straight winning season. "For us to win, we need to get off to another strong start," head coach Kevin Wald said, "continue to play good defense and special teams and take care of the ball. We have improved each week, which is what I thought would happen this season, so we are close to where I thought we'd be." The Dolphins have no real injury concerns, as of now.

John Paul II (1-4) at Coastal Christian (4-1), 7:30 p.m.

Last meeting: First meeting.

Last week: John Paul II lost 66-0 to Faith Christian; Coastal Christian beat St. John's Christian 68-6.

The skinny: The road isn't going to get any easier for the Golden Warriors. Both teams put up 60-plus points on St. John's Christian, the only team John Paul II has beaten. But Coastal Christian surrendered just 6 points as opposed to the 42 John Paul II gave up.

Dorchester Academy (1-4) at Thomas Heyward Academy (2-3), 7:30 p.m.

Last meeting: Dorchester Academy won 22-14 in 2014.

Last week: Dorchester Academy lost 28-7 to Pee Dee Academy; Thomas Heyward Academy lost 49-16 to Northwood Academy.

The skinny: Dorchester Academy came away with the win last year, but they aren't as good this year and Thomas Heyward is improved. This is a good chance at home for the Rebels to get back to .500.

This story was originally published September 24, 2015 at 7:18 PM with the headline "High school football Week 5 preview capsules."