Bridge Bowl: Bluffton, Hilton Head Island evenly matched

Without getting into any sort of controversial dispute or taking sides, it's fair to say Ken Cribb and B.J. Payne don't always agree.

The football coaches for Bluffton and Hilton Head Island high schools, respectively, likely won't be hanging out anytime soon.

But there is one thing they can agree on.

When Bluffton travels across the bridges to face Hilton Head Island at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, it will be the most evenly matched Bridge Bowl matchup since the rivals began playing in 2006.

"I think it's good for the fans on both sides," Cribb said. "Both teams have speed, both have had success."

"Two years ago, the game was decided by one point. Last year, the game was decided by five points. Both of those games were anybody's game," Payne said. "No matter what it's going to be a great game. The games the last two years, I would say hands down, those were the best games in the area. ...

"I think there's not a better game. They're going to bring a huge crowd and a lot of people from the area have an interest in the game and will be here, as well."

Both teams have had early success this season.

Hilton Head (4-0) showed its improvement over last year in a 31-29 win over West Ashley, a 4-A school that beat them by 30 last season.

Bluffton (4-1) is healthy for a change and looks to be competitive in Region 8-AAAA this season.

Both teams boast a lot of team speed.

On the Hilton Head side, guys like Jestin Morrow, Tyler Hamilton and Bryce Singleton force defenses to take chances with caution. Similarly, on the Bluffton side, Cameron Bent, Tyrese Sandgren and Lorenz Taylor are tough to pin down.

And both teams are getting stellar quarterback play.

For Bluffton, Terrance Heyward made the move back to his JV position of quarterback and hasn't disappointed.

"He's really done an incredible job," Cribb said. "He's gotten better every week."

The senior has completed 48 of 80 passes for 931 yards and 13 touchdowns against only four interceptions.

"You have to keep him in the pocket," Payne said. "He does a great job of getting out an making throws on the edge. And he can tuck it and go and get a first down. ... He's a playmaker who does a lot of great things."

For Hilton Head Island, the player is the same, but his play hasn't been. Aidan Hegarty has matured and developed into a much more efficient signal caller.

"He is a fierce, fierce, fierce competitor," Payne said. "He is a perfectionist. He just has to keep his poise. He just needs to put his team in the best possible position and he's improved on that drastically."

Hegarty is 49 of 67 for 820 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions. But he's been a more effective runner, racking up 222 yards and five scores on 22 carries.

Both offenses are similar. Both teams run plays at tempo, run a lot of inside slants and screens -- quick passes that get the ball into the hands of playmakers quickly and safely.

The Seahawks may use the short passing game more often in lieu of a traditional running game. And the Bobcats may go deep more often.

"They will stretch the field at times a little bit more than we do," Payne said. "But when they run their screen game, they do it really well."

Because of both teams' speed, Cribb likens defending the Seahawks' defense to defending the option.

"You've got to honor your assignments," he said. "You can't chase the ball. You better know your assignments and you better complete your assignments."

There is another thing both coaches agree on, or at least they say they do.

While this rivalry is big for the fans and the students, it's not the most important game these teams will play down the stretch.

"It's a non-region game. We're looking at it as gearing up for region play," Cribb said. "We're preparing for region play. We will play teams in our region that do similar things, so we're pleased to have this game.

"We understand that every school has a rival, and I don't mean to minimize it for them, but our kids have bought into why we play the game, how we play the game and what our goals are. Our team is healthy, and we're still a little young. But this is good experience for everybody."

"This does not determine playoffs. It does not determine region," Payne said. "But it is, obviously, a huge game for both programs."

Follow sports editor Mike McCombs on Twitter at www.twitter.com/IPBGsports.

Friday's games

Ridgeland-Hardeeville at Battery Creek, 7:30 p.m.

Manning at Beaufort, 7:30 p.m.

Bluffton at Hilton Head Island, 7:30 p.m.

Windsor Forest at Whale Branch, 7:30 p.m.

Cathedral Academy at Beaufort Academy, 7:30 p.m.

Bethesda Academy at Hilton Head Christian, 7 p.m.

Hilton Head Prep at Curtis Baptist, 7:30 p.m.

John Paul II at Coastal Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Dorchester Academy at Thomas Heyward Academy, 7:30 p.m.

This story was originally published September 24, 2015 at 7:27 PM with the headline "Bridge Bowl: Bluffton, Hilton Head Island evenly matched."