James Island’s perfect run through the regular season ended with a statement, not a stumble.
The Trojans powered past West Ashley 59-6 to close out a 10-0 regular season, and they did it with a ground game that kept pounding away all night. Mykelll Warthen rushed for 113 yards and scored three touchdowns, while Jacquoie Legare added 128 yards and a touchdown. Brady Dantzler also had a big hand in the win, throwing for 190 yards and two scores for the Region 5-AAAAA champions.
Berkeley also wrapped up a milestone night, blasting Socastee 62-28 to claim its first region title in eight years and finish the regular season 9-1. Bryson McGee led the charge with 179 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and Henry Rivers turned in a huge all-around performance with 233 passing yards, four touchdown passes, 80 rushing yards and another score.
Northwood Academy kept its own title march rolling with a 35-7 win over Laurence Manning. Kevin Johnson threw for 249 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Chargers to a region championship, and Northwood coach Johnny Waters earned his 100th career win. Drew Wolfe caught five passes for 114 yards, Aiden Rutledge hauled in two touchdown passes, and Deuce Faison added 133 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Colleton Prep got a strong night from Cale Owens in a 28-16 win over Cross Schools. Owens passed for 239 yards and three touchdowns while also running for 133 yards and a score. Hartman Fisk supplied the highlight play, catching an 86-yard touchdown pass.
Wando edged Goose Creek 26-21 behind 174 passing yards from quarterback Cape Whitaker. Goose Creek running back Sincere Lewis was the game’s biggest ground threat, piling up 219 rushing yards for the Gators.
Bishop England finished the regular season at 9-1 after a 31-15 win over Hanahan. Will Donato accounted for four touchdowns, throwing three and running for another. Hanahan’s Quamell Grant finished with 10 catches for 144 yards.
Dorchester Academy rolled to a 56-8 win over Holly Hill Academy, leaning on a rushing attack that piled up 352 yards. Reed Almers led the way with 218 rushing yards, and Walker Beeks passed for 115 yards and three touchdowns.
The playoff picture is now set, with first-round matchups and byes across the lower state and SCISA brackets.
In Class AAAAA Lower State, James Island earned a bye as the No. 1 seed. Berkeley also received a bye as the No. 2 seed. Other first-round games include Fort Dorchester at Wando, Blythewood at Summerville, Socastee at Gray Collegiate, and Ashley Ridge at Sumter.
In Class AAAA Lower State, Hilton Head Island, South Florence, Lugoff-Elgin and North Augusta all earned byes. First-round pairings include Dreher at Wilson, North Myrtle Beach at Lucy Beckham, May River at Conway, and South Aiken at Irmo.
In Class AAA Lower State, Camden, Bishop England, Oceanside Collegiate and Hartsville are among the teams with byes. The bracket also includes Aynor at Crestwood, Darlington at Loris, Swansea at Hanahan, and Atlantic Collegiate at Gilbert.
In Class AA Lower State, Dillon and Saluda are among the top seeds with byes. The opening round features Manning at Battery Creek, Waccamaw at Marlboro County, Silver Bluff at Strom Thurmond, Academic Magnet at Philip Simmons, East Clarendon at Woodland, and Lake Marion at Orangeburg-Wilkinson.
Class A Division I opens with Barnwell at Edisto, Andrews at Marion, Latta at Cheraw, Blacksburg at Carvers Bay, Eau Claire at Abbeville, Ninety-Six at Batesburg-Leesville, Whale Branch at Fairfield Central, and North Central at Hampton County.
Class A Division II includes Ridge Spring Monetta at Green Sea Floyds, Clear Dot Charter at Branchville, Whitmire at Lee Central, Bethune Bowman at Baptist Hill, Lewisville at Denmark-Olar, Dixie at Hardeeville, Calhoun County at CA Johnson, HKT at Wagener-Salley, and Great Falls at Lee Central.
In SCISA Class AAAA, Augusta Christian visits Hammond, Porter-Gaud goes to Laurence Manning, Heathwood Hall travels to Northwood, and Ben Lippen heads to Pinewood Prep.
In Other News...
Clemsons Florida State Win Suddenly Looks Bigger Than Fans Realized
Clemsons win at Florida State now carries a different kind of weight after the Seminoles moved on from head coach Mike Norvell and defensive coordinator Tony White following a 2-10 season. What looked at the time like another solid conference result for the Tigers has turned into part of the backdrop for a major reset in Tallahassee, one that was set in motion after the home loss to Clemson and a year of mounting frustration.
Rick Stockstill, a former Florida State quarterback and the programs director of scouting, has been named interim head coach as the Seminoles begin sorting through what comes next. For Clemson, the timing only adds to the significance of that road win, since it now sits as one of the clearest markers in a season that helped push Florida State toward change. [Read more 🡒]
Dabo Swinney Turned Clemsons FSU Win Into A Bigger Statement
Dabo Swinneys postgame message after Clemsons win at Florida State went beyond the usual coach-speak and into a broader defense of the profession itself. After seeing a banner fly over the stadium calling for Mike Norvell to be fired, Swinney said it was embarrassing and disrespectful, using the moment to stand up for a coach who has been under heavy scrutiny during a difficult season in Tallahassee.
Norvell has already acknowledged the challenges facing his program while still voicing belief in his players, even as frustration has grown around the team. Swinneys comments added another layer to a matchup that already carried plenty of weight, turning Clemsons victory into a reminder that the pressure around college football can spill far beyond the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]
Jerome Carter III Gave Clemson Fans A Postgame Story Theyll Love
Jerome Carter III gave Clemson a little extra to smile about in the wake of its win over Florida State, and the family connection made it even better. The safety, a transfer from Old Dominion, came up with a sack and an interception while helping the Tigers pile up four forced takeaways, a disruptive night that fit right into Clemsons defensive tone.
For Carter, the performance carried a twist that will stick with fans: his big plays matched records set by his father, who played for Florida State. Dabo Swinney had plenty to say afterward about Carters impact, and with Syracuse next on the schedule, Clemson has a fresh defensive storyline to carry into the week. [Read more 🡒]