Phares’ big plays help Beaufort football to second straight semifinal appearance

The Beaufort football program is headed to the state semifinals for the second straight season.

Colton Phares had the go-ahead kickoff return for a touchdown and picked off a pass late in the game as Beaufort defeated Gilbert, 31-21, in the third round of the Class 3A playoffs on Friday.

Beaufort will travel to Dillon for the Class 3A Lower State Championship next week. Dillon defeated Camden, 31-14, to earn its sport.

Beaufort is looking for its second straight state championship appearances. The Eagles made it to the 4A championship game last year, losing. to South Pointe.

Gilbert led 21-17 on Jaden Allen-Hendrix’s 6-yard TD run with 11:24 left. But Phares, an Appalachian State commit, took the ensuing kickoff back 89 yards for a touchdown to give the Eagles the lead.

Gilbert got the ball back with four minutes left but its drive ended as Phares picked off a pass with 2:25 left. Running back Kacy Fields added a TD run to make it 31-21 with 2:09 to go. Fields finished with 140 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Fields has more than 1,800 yards rushing since moving over from receiver.

Beaufort quarterback Samari Bonds rushed for 73 yards and a TD.

Alias Graham-Woodberry had a TD run and also caught a TD on a shovel pass from Drake Braddock for Gilbert. Graham-Woodberry finished with 166 total yards. Braddock was 11-of-19 for 147 yards.