What to know about South Pointe state title game opponent, the Beaufort Eagles
It’s game day.
The South Pointe football team has been counting down the hours all week to Thursday night’s 4A state championship game at 7 p.m. at Benedict College in Columbia. Players have been overcome with emotion. Coaches have reflected on their journeys.
“I can see the finish line,” South Pointe head coach DeVonte Holloman said on Monday. “But I want to sprint through the finish line.”
One team you probably haven’t heard much about — if you live in the northern part of the state — is South Pointe’s opponent, Beaufort.
For the scoop on the Eagles, Herald sports editor Alex Zietlow interviewed The State and Island Packet high school sports director Lou Bezjak.
Here’s what you need to know.
Discussing the Beaufort-South Pointe game
Zietlow: South Pointe’s rise into the upper echelon of South Carolina high school football is well-documented. The Stallions have won six state championships since opening in 2005 and are making their eighth trip to a state title game on Thursday night. They’ve also have an NFL pedigree that has gained it national acclaim. Jadeveon Clowney is a South Pointe alum. So is Stephon Gilmore. Even their current head coach DeVonte Holloman had a stint with the Dallas Cowboys.
What’s the football program’s history at Beaufort like?
Bezjak: To be honest, they haven’t won a lot recently. They won championships in the 1930s, but this is only the second championship appearance since then, with the other coming in 2007. Mark Clifford did a great job at the school until he stepped down in 2017. Then Holloman took over in 2018, and then Bryce Lybrand got the job. He has done a great job changing the culture and getting the kids to buy in.
Zietlow: What is special about this year’s Beaufort team? What and who have been behind its run to the state title game?
Bezjak: Lot of experience and lot of guys who played early on varsity and now are juniors and seniors. Tyler Haley is a great dual-threat quarterback and Amariee Morris is the top running back. They’ve got three receivers who have more than 500 yards receiving that can make plays. The defense is stingy and has been a big driving force. Sophomore Eamon Smalls is a load to try and block up front. Alvin Wilson, a North-South and Shrine Bowl selection, has had a great year, too. James Dennison is the leader at linebacker and there are four to five guys in secondary that could make plays. Joe Caprarola is a good and reliable kicker as well.
Zietlow: What should we know about Beaufort’s head coach, Bryce Lybrand?
Bezjak: He is young and energetic and has done a great job recharging the program. He comes from a great high school program as a player at Greenwood and was a grad assistant at Clemson under Dabo Swinney. The kids seem to really love him and he really has the program going in the right direction. Lybrand also has a lot of respect for Holloman, who hired him to be on his staff at Beaufort.
Zietlow: OK, Lou, who you got and why? For what it’s worth, I’m choosing South Pointe.
The Stallions thrive off of being overlooked and underestimated. Their mantra — “Still South Pointe” — embodies the chip on their shoulder they wear and has carried them thus far in the playoffs. But I won’t provide any bulletin board material for them this week.
They’re just simply playing really well: Their offense is as balanced as it’s been so far this season. Their defense is opportunistic. They proved that they could overcome mistakes in a win on the road at Greenwood (where they gave up five turnovers), and they proved that they could play a near-flawless game, too, in the 4A Upper State title game against Greenville. All indicators, to me, say that the city of Rock Hill will have a new champion.
Bezjak: I really think the game is a toss-up. I have picked against South Pointe the last two weeks and have heard about it on Twitter from some of their fans. (Zietlow laughs: “Been there before.”) After watching Greenville beat A.C. Fora, the Red Raiders were my pick to win it all. Beaufort was one of my dark-horse picks to make it to championship before the playoffs began and backed that up by winning on the road at No. 1 Myrtle Beach.
Again, this should be a close one. But I’m going with Stallions to pull it out.
South Pointe-Beaufort at a glance
South Pointe Stallions: 11-1 (4-0) Region 3-4A champions, Upper State champions
Beaufort Eagles: 12-2 (4-1 Region 7-4A), Lower State champions
South Pointe coach: DeVonte Holloman, 3rd year as head coach at South Pointe
Beaufort coach: Bryce Lybrand, 3rd year as head coach at Beaufort
South Pointe postseason history: Upper State titles (2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021); State Championships (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
Beaufort postseason history: Lower State titles (1935, 1945, 2007, 2021); State Championships (1935, 1945)
When and where: Thursday at 7 p.m. at Benedict College’s Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia
How to follow: All five games will be carried on Sinclair Broadcasting stations across South Carolina. Affiliates are WMYA (My40 Asheville-Greenville), WACH (57.2/1250/Columbia), WCIV (MyTV Charleston) and WWMB (CW21, Florence/Myrtle Beach). You can also stream the game on the NFHS Network with a valid subscription.
This story was originally published December 2, 2021 at 5:00 AM with the headline "What to know about South Pointe state title game opponent, the Beaufort Eagles."
.jpeg)
