May River clinches first region title, Bluffton captures Bridge Bowl
At WHHI Media Day in August, May River coach Rodney Summers wanted his team to “leave no doubt” this season.
On Friday, the Sharks left no doubt who the Region 7-3A champion was. Brandon Morales rushed for three touchdowns as May River defeated Wade Hampton, 35-14, to win its first region championship in a matchup of top-10 ranked teams in Class 3A.
May River is scheduled to play Colleton County but Summers isn’t sure if it will play that game. The Sharks host a first-round playoff game Nov. 9.
“It feels great, first region title as a head coach. We came close at Westwood,” said Summers, who left Westwood to be the first coach in May River history.
Trailing 7-0, Morales got May River on the board with a 4-yard run and quarterback Ahmad Green’s put the Sharks up 14-7. Wade Hampton tied it at 14-14 in the second quarter on De’Shareoh Williams’ 60-yard TD run.
But May River answered with two Morales runs in the second quarter to lead 27-14 at halftime. Green hit Jack Hegan on a TD pass in the third to make it 35-14.
Bluffton 29, Hilton Head Island 18
Bluffton completed an unbeaten region slate and won the annual Battle of the Bridge.
Bluffton will host a first-round playoff game Nov. 9 against one of the three at-large teams. Hilton Head likely to get one of the three at-large spots.
Quarterback Lee Kirkland threw two touchdown passes and John Swinton ran for a score. Evan Hayes kicked three field goals for the Bobcats. His third field goal put Bluffton up 16-10 early in the fourth quarter.
Bluffton cashed in on a Hilton Head turnover as Kirkland hit Rakim White to make it 22-10 in the fourth.
Sterling White and Disney Richard each had TD runs for the Seahawks.
Beaufort 34, Colleton County 13
Jeffrey Smyth threw two touchdown passes and John Dagin ran for two TDs as Beaufort clinched a home playoff game.
Beaufort will host South Aiken or Airport Nov. 9 in the first-round of the 4A playoffs.
Hilton Head Prep 35, Hilton Head Christian 19
Quarterback Stone McDonald threw for 205 yards and a TD and ran for two scores as Hilton Head Prep knocked off its rivals.
McDonald finished with 285 yards of total offense. Tommy Staffer led HHP with eight catches for 80 yards. Carson King caught a TD pass and Hunter Hopman rushed for a TD.
The Dolphins’ Matthew Sullivan returned an interception for a score.
Daniel Harrington had a TD pass and run for Hilton Head Christian.
Both the teams have clinched spots in the SCISA 2A playoffs and will find out their opponents Saturday.
Whale Branch 23, Battery Creek 0
Whale Branch completed the season sweep over Battery Creek.
Irvin Mulligan had a TD run to put the Warriors up 10-0 at halftime. Kyshon Hipp had an interception return for a score in the third quarter.
Henry Tome added a field goal for Whale Branch, who travel to Oceanside Collegiate for a first round playoff game Nov. 9.
Colleton Prep 14, John Paul II 6
Zach Doe had the Warriors’ lone touchdown in the first quarter but were shut out over the final three quarters.
John Paul II learns its SCISA 2A playoff opponent Saturday.
Ridgeland-Hardeeville 40, Lake Marion 18
Ridgeland-Hardeeville clinched a playoff spot and earned a date with defending champion Dillon when the playoffs open Nov. 9.
Former Lake Marion and Clemson standout Mike Williams got his jersey retired at halftime. Williams plays in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers.
Beaufort Academy 34, Patrick Henry 0
De’Shaun Epps scored three touchdowns as the Eagles rolled in their regular-season finale.
BA will host a first-round playoff game in SCISA 8-man playoffs next week.
Epps had TD runs of 8 and 50 yards and also had a punt return for a score. Dawson Coleman threw a TD pass and Edward McCormick ran for a TD.
This story was originally published October 27, 2018 at 2:47 AM.