Rivalry raises nearly $11,000 for Bluffton teen’s heart transplant

Not only did Bluffton beat May River in football again last week, the Bobcats prevailed in the off-field duel as well.

The big winners, of course, were Eric Szczepanik and his family.

The crosstown rivals, along with Hilton Head Prep, combined to raise nearly $11,000 for the Bluffton High teen, who is awaiting a heart transplant. Szczepanik is afflicted with Marfan Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the body’s connective tissue.

Bluffton presented a check for $5,956 to Szczepanik’s brother, Steven, during halftime of the Bobcats’ Friday night visit to May River. That amount was boosted by a donation of more than $1,000 from Bluffton Middle School fundraising.

The Sharks wrote a check for $2,792, though that total has been augmented by some $300 in the days that followed. Hilton Head Prep, where Steven Szczepanik is an assistant coach, added another $1,816 to the cause.

“The support has been amazing,” said Steven Szczepanik. “Not even knowing this new school here — both communities just rallied around him. Knowing that everybody’s rallied around him and cares, it makes us feel really (good).”

Bluffton and May River turned it into a competition, following up on a proposal from Sharks coach Rodney Summers to use the rivalry week as an avenue for a good cause. Szczepanik’s condition had not been diagnosed at the time but was quickly adopted by both schools when word got out.

“We did real well,” Cribb said. “Everybody loves Eric. Then it just adds fuel to the fire when Coach Summers challenged Bluffton in a fun, friendly way. We took it and ran.”

The schools have decided to make the competition an annual event, with different charities to be selected each fall.

This story was originally published October 4, 2016 at 12:55 AM with the headline "Rivalry raises nearly $11,000 for Bluffton teen’s heart transplant."