S.C. Prep Writer's Football Poll - Sept. 29

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Dorman running back Raymond Smith seeks daylight earlier this season against Greenwood. The Cavaliers kept their stranglehold atop Class 4A this week, voters tabbing them as the classification's no. 1 team.

Dorman continues its reign atop Class 4A, being voted by voters as the no. 1 team in the classification for a sixth straight week. Northwestern and Goose Creek, both undefeated, both fall in line just behind the Cavaliers, remaining nos. 2 and 3 in the poll, respectively.
As was the case last week, Myrtle Beach and South Pointe's position at the top of Class 3A flip-flopped; this time in the Seahawks' favor, regaining the favor of voters following their 29-19 win over Conway. Undefeated Wade Hampton (Greenville) enters the poll this week at no. 9, just above Marlboro County, which fell three spots to no. 10 after consecutive losses to Conway and Dillon.
Speaking of the Wildcats, they were able to retain their top ranking in Class 2A, holding off a Central team coming off of a 54-28 win over county rival Chesterfield. Palmetto, following a 21-14 victory over Ware Shoals, was left off this week's poll, replaced by Woodland, which impressed voters with a 26-17 win over Class 3A program Cane Bay.
Williston-Elko claims the top spot in Class A this week, supplanting last week's no.1 Lamar. The most notable omission from this week's poll is 3-time defending Class A champion Chesterfield, which is on a three game losing skid.

Class 4A
1. Dorman (5-0)
2. Northwestern (5-0)
3. Goose Creek (5-0)
4. Summerville (4-1)
5. North Augusta (5-0)
6. Greenwood (4-1)
7. Clover (6-0)
8. Gaffney (4-2)
9. Byrnes (3-2)
10. Irmo (5-1)
Dropped out: Richland Northeast (4-1; lost to Orangeburg-Wilkinson 48-34)

Class 3A
1. Myrtle Beach (4-1)
2. South Pointe (4-1)
3. Fairfield Central (5-0)
4. Belton-Honea Path (5-0)
5. Clinton (4-1)
6. Greenville (4-1)
7. Camden (5-0)
8. Berkeley (3-2)
9. Wade Hampton (Greenville) (5-0)
10. Marlboro County (3-2)
Dropped out: Pickens (4-1; lost to Berea 20-13)

Class 2A
1. Dillon (5-0)
2. Central (5-0)
3. Timberland (5-0)
4. Strom Thurmond (4-1)
5. Manning (4-1)
6. Silver Bluff (4-1)
7. Lake City (4-1)
8. Mid-Carolina (5-0)
9. Indian Land (5-0)
10. Woodland (4-1)
Dropped out: Columbia (3-2; lost to Wade Hampton (Greenville) 50-37), Palmetto (4-1; def. Ware Shoals 21-14)

Class A
1. Williston-Elko (4-1)
2. Lamar (5-0)
3. Bamberg-Ehrhardt (4-1)
T4. Calhoun County (5-1)
T4. Abbeville (4-1)
6. Hemingway (5-0)
7. Christ Church (5-0)
8. Scott’s Branch (3-2)
9. Johnsonville (5-1)
10. Allendale-Fairfax (3-1)
Dropped out: Chesterfield (2-3; lost to Central 54-28)

The S.C. Prep Writers’ Poll is compiled by votes from Cam Huffman (Aiken Standard), Justin Jarrett (Beaufort Gazette), Barry Byers (Rock Hill Herald), Bob Castello (Greenville News), Phil Bowman (Post and Courier), Kevin Melton (Herald-Journal), Shane Bowen (Myrtle Beach Sun News), Matt Anderson (Greenwood Index-Journal) and Akilah Nelson (The State).

Week 5 — Irmo's Scott, Summerville's Henderson continue to stuff stat book

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Gaffney's Khris Brown (middle) is mobbed by teammates after hauling in an interception to seal a 33-31 win for the Indians.

Justin Suber, Dutch Fork: The senior quarterback came up big for the Silver Foxes last Friday night, posting 435 yards of total offense as the team defeated cross-county rival Lexington, 49-43. Suber threw for 219 yards while gaining 216 more on the ground.

Dawan Scott, Irmo: It seems every week the senior running back is asked to carry the Yellow Jackets offense -- and every week he delivers. Last Friday was no different as Scott ran for 303 yards and five touchdowns in Irmo’s win over Aiken.
The victory was the fifth straight for the Yellow Jackets, the 10th ranked team in Class 4A according to state prep writers.

Justin Worley, Northwestern: The Tennessee commit continues to light up opposing defenses, the latest victim being cross-county rival Nation Ford. Worley torched the Falcons last Friday, completing 27 of 35 attempts for 332 yards and four scores to lead his Trojans to a 45-35 win.

Khris Brown, Gaffney: The Indians, looking to take a little pressure off of talented receiver Quinshad Davis, got just that Friday night as the senior hauled in six receptions for 168 yards and two scores. His final touchdown would wind up deciding the game, capping off a comeback for Gaffney in its 33-31 victory over Greenville.
Brown also hauled in an interception with seconds to go, ending the Red Raiders' final drive.

Brandon Cannon, Landrum: Cannon was a dual threat for Cardinals in their contest against Liberty, accounting for 301 yards of total offense and five touchdowns in the team’s 56-14 win.

De’Angelo Henderson, Summerville: The Green Wave senior seems to get compared to former University of Georgia Garrison Hearst these days. If he keeps accumulating yards in bunches like he did last week in his team’s 41-27 win over Stratford, the comparison undoubtedly will continue.
Henderson ran for 300 yards and four touchdowns against the Knights, pushing his no. 4-ranked Summerville squad its fourth win in five games.

Cyril Davis, Orangeburg-Wilkinson: The Bruins' quarterback completed 21-of-29 passes for 410 yards and five touchdowns to lead his team to a 48-34 win over previously undefeated Richland Northeast. The performance pushed Davis past the 2,000 yards passing for the season.

S.C. Prep Football - Week 6 schedule

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Greenville quarterback Glenn Baston scurries out of bounds, eluding Gaffney defenders during a recent game at The Reservation.

Games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted

Thursday’s Games
Hanna at Woodmont, 7:30 p.m.
Myrtle Beach at Wilson, 7:30 p.m.
Strom Thurmond at Columbia, 7:30 p.m.
Lower Richland at Dreher, 7:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games
Abbeville at Ware Shoals
Aiken at West Florence
Airport at Midland Valley
Allendale-Fairfax at Branchville
Ashley Ridge at Wando
Bamberg-Ehrhardt at Estill
Batesburg-Leesville at Gilbert
Belton-Honea Path at West-Oak
Berea at Eastside
Blacksburg at St. Joseph’s
Blythewood at Lancaster
Brookland Cayce at A.C. Flora
Buford at Central
Burke at St. John’s
Byrnes at Mauldin
C.A. Johnson at Great Falls
Calhoun Falls Charter at Dixie
Camden at Crestwood
Cane Bay at Battery Creek
Carvers Bay at Lake View
Chapin at Clinton
Chapman at Blue Ridge
Chesnee at Liberty
Cross at Lincoln
Daniel at Walhalla
Darlington at Marlboro County
Dillon at Aynor
Dorman at Hillcrest
Easley at Greenwood
Emerald at Woodruff
Fort Dorchester at Colleton County
Fort Mill at South Pointe
Fox Creek at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler
Garrett at Hanahan
Green Sea-Floyds at Johnsonville
Greenville at Wade Hampton (G)
Hardeeville at Bethune-Bowman
Hemingway at Creek Bridge
Hilton Head at Berkeley
Indian Land at Andrew Jackson, 8 p.m.
J.L. Mann at Boiling Springs
James Island at Beaufort
Keenan at Eau Claire
Lake City at Bishop England
Lake Marion at Bluffton
Lakewood at Hartsville
Laurens at Riverside
Lee Central at Cheraw
Lewisville at McBee
Lexington at Lugoff-Elgin
Manning at Kingstree
Marion at Loris
McCormick at Ninety Six
Mid-Carolina at Broome
Military Magnet at Baptist Hill
Nation Ford at Fairfield Central, 8 p.m.
North at Ridge Spring-Monetta
North Central at Chesterfield
North Charleston at Woodland
North Myrtle Beach at Socastee
Northwestern at North Augusta
Palmetto at Carolina Academy
Richland Northeast at Sumter
Rock Hill at Ridge View
Saluda at Newberry
Scott’s Branch at East Clarendon
Seneca at Pickens
South Aiken at Spartanburg
Southside at Travelers Rest
St. James at Georgetown
Stall at Academic Magnet
Stratford at Goose Creek
Swansea at Silver Bluff
Timberland at Andrews
Timmonsville at Hannah-Pamplico
Union County at Greer
Waccamaw at Mullins
Wade Hampton (H) at Barnwell
Wagener-Salley at Blackville-Hilda
West Ashley at Summerville
Whale Branch HS at Ridgeland
White Knoll at Spring Valley
Whitmire at Landrum
Williston-Elko at Denmark-Olar
Wren at Westside
York at Chester, 8 p.m.
Crescent at Pendleton
Pelion at Edisto

SCISA Class 3A Games
Augusta Christian at Wilson Hall
Porter-Gaud at Ben Lippen
Orangeburg Prep at Cardinal Newman
Pinewood Prep at Hammond
Laurence Manning at Heathwood Hall

Gaffney 33, Greenville 31 - Staying the Course

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Gaffney quarterback DeEdward Burris tries to find room among a host of Greenville defenders during Friday's contest at The Reservation. The Indians were able to escape with a 33-31 victory.

Character often is revealed during times of adversity.
Down 24-7 against undefeated Greenville with a little less than two minutes remaining in the first half, rather than allowing panic to spread among players, Gaffney head coach Dan Jones encouraged his team with the belief they could pull the game out.
“I told them we just got to stick in there, that we could turn the game around,” Jones said. “The things you are doing are not new to you; just keep playing and good things will happen.”
Good things did happen for the Indians, scoring 26 unanswered points and turning back a late charge by the Red Raiders to pick up a hard fought win, 33-31.
With all eyes focused on talented junior receiver Quinshad Davis, Gaffney’s Khris Brown seemed to have been a lost commodity in the team’s offensive arsenal, relatively quiet early on this season.
The senior turned things up a notch against Greenville, hauling in six receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns. His first trip the end zone, a 15-yard reception from Indians quarterback DeEdward Burris in which he broke several tackles in reaching pay dirt, gave the team quite a boost headed into the locker room at halftime after being thoroughly dominated for much of the first half.
“When we got momentum on our side going into halftime, I knew we had a chance to win this thing,” Brown said. “We kind of felt their defensive backs were tired, and if we kept chopping away it was there for us.”
Brown’s second touchdown grab ended scoring on the night for Gaffney, a 63 yard catch and run giving the Indians a nine point lead at the 11 minute mark in the game’s final stanza.
Early on it didn’t seem the Indians would have a chance to sniff victory in the contest, the Red Raiders moving up and down the field with ease.
Greenville (4-1) opened the game with a seven play, 69 yard drive in which quarterback Glenn Batson effectively engineered the team’s aerial attack to the end zone, a 14-yard reception from Roderick Williams. Following a Gaffney punt, the two would connect again, this time from 32 yards to put the visiting Red Raiders up 14-0.
The Indians would quickly answer back, going 80 yards in four plays, the drive ending with Burris finding the 6-foot-2 target Davis in the end zone from six yards out to pull the team within a touchdown at 14-7.
After a Greenville possession stalled, Gaffney seemed to be going in for the tying score, putting together an 11 play drive which moved the team inside the 1-yard line. On the 12th play , however, Burris was stripped trying to extend the ball over the goal line, the fumble recovered by the Red Raiders.
Gaffney’s defense did its job in forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave Greenville a second life which it converted into a field goal, giving the visitors a 17-7 lead with 4:16 left in the second quarter.
The Indians would earn a first down on their next drive, but could not muster much after that, ending with Burris being stuffed on consecutive plays. Disaster would strike soon after, Williams returning a Gaffney punt 57 yards for a touchdown, giving the undefeated Greenville squad a 17 point advantage.
Burris’ touchdown pass to Brown would come 58 seconds later, the beginning of an epic comeback by the Indians.
Gaffney’s offense struck quickly midway through the third quarter, going 31 yards in three plays, the drive ending with Burris finding Davis in the corner of the end zone, pulling the team within five points of the lead.
Following a Greenville punt, the Indians went the methodical route with their next drive, using 13 plays to cover 81 yards, the Indians’ senior signal caller pushing his way past the goal line to give the team its first lead of the game. Gaffney would convert the two-point conversion, giving it a 27-24 advantage.
On the ensuing Red Raiders’ drive, the Indians’ defense finally forced Baston into a mistake, coming up with an interception at their own 37-yard line. The next play seemed to be a backbreaker for the visitors from Greenville, Burris using a pump fake to freeze opposing defenders and allowing Brown to roam free, the senior strolling into the end zone for the score and a nine point lead for the Indians.
Burris completed 22 of 37 passes for 339 yards in the contest, throwing for four scores. He also had an interception which kept the door open for the Red Raiders after Baston’s third touchdown pass of the game pulled them to within two points.
However, the same person who lit the fire for Gaffney would be the same one to put it out, as Brown leapt high to haul in a last gasp pass by Baston, securing the win for the Indians
“Most teams would have quit in this situation, down 24-7,” Jones said to his team after the game. “But you didn’t fold your tent and you didn’t quit; and you were rewarded for that. Good job, men.”
Gaffney goes into its bye week at 4-2, not taking the field again until Oct. 8 when it hosts Clover in both team’s region opener, also a night in which the school is celebrating homecoming. Coach Jones said the off week could not come at a better time for his squad, allowing the team to heal after six weeks of action.
“Snoop Byers re-aggravated a thigh bruise he had early on this season and Robert Grandy, who is key to our pass rush was held out due to a head injury of some sort, so this week will be key in us getting healthy in anticipation of the region schedule,” Jones said.

How did the ranked teams fare? (Week 5) - S.C. Prep Football Writer's Poll

Gaffney football players take the field amid the smoke prepared for battle during a recent game.

The S.C. Prep Writers’ Poll is compiled by The State with voting by Justin Jarrett-Beaufort, Gazette/Island Packet, Bob Castello, Greenville News; Barry Byers, Rock Hill Herald; Kevin Melton, Spartanburg Herald-Journal; Shane Bowen, Myrtle Beach Sun News; and Akilah Nelson, The State.

Class AAAA
1. Dorman (5-0) -- def. Riverside, 34-7; NEXT: at Hillcrest
2. Northwestern (5-0) -- def. Nation Ford, 45-35; NEXT: at North Augusta
3. Goose Creek (5-0) -- def. Fort Dorchester 42-28; NEXT: vs. Stratford
4. Summerville (4-1) -- def. Stratford 41-27; NEXT: vs. West Ashley
5. North Augusta (5-0) -- def. Evans (Ga.) 23-10; NEXT vs. Northwestern
6. Greenwood (4-1) -- def. Wren 59-21; NEXT vs. Easley
7. Gaffney (4-2) -- def. Greenville 33-31; NEXT: vs. Clover (Oct. 8)
8. Clover (6-0) -- def. Fort Walton Beach (Fla.) 23-10; NEXT: at Gaffney (Oct.8)
9. Byrnes (3-2) -- def. T.L. Hanna 40-18; NEXT: at Mauldin
T10. Irmo (4-1) -- def. Aiken 35-23; NEXT: vs. Ridge View (Oct. 8)
T10. Richland Northeast (4-1) -- lost to Orangeburg-Wilkinson 48-34; NEXT: at Sumter

Class AAA
1. South Pointe (4-1) -- def. Spartanburg 14-13 (OT); NEXT: vs. Fort Mill
2. Myrtle Beach (4-1) -- def. Conway 29-19; NEXT: at Wilson
3. Clinton (4-1) -- lost to Belton Honea Path 18-17; NEXT: at Chapin
4. Fairfield Central (5-0) -- def. Dreher 63-0; NEXT: vs. Nation Ford
5. Greenville (4-1) -- lost to Gaffney 33-31; NEXT: vs. Nation Ford
6. Belton Honea Path (5-0) -- def. Clinton 18-17; NEXT: at West-Oak
7. Marlboro County (3-2) -- lost to Dillon 27-6; NEXT: vs. Darlington
8. Camden (5-0) -- def. Andrew Jackson 33-14; NEXT: at Crestwood
9. Berkeley (3-2) -- def. Hanahan 40-20; NEXT: vs. Hilton Head
10. Pickens (4-1) -- lost to Berea 20-13; NEXT: vs. Seneca

Class AA
1. Dillon (5-0) -- def. Marlboro County 27-6; NEXT: at Aynor
2. Central (Pageland) (5-0) -- def. Chesterfield 54-28; NEXT: vs. Buford
3. Timberland (5-0) -- def. C.E. Murray 21-6; NEXT: at Andrews
4. Strom Thurmond (4-1) -- lost to Silver Bluff 24-21; NEXT: at Columbia (Sept. 30)
5. Manning (4-1) -- def. Lakewood 34-21; NEXT: at Kingstree
6. Lake City (4-1) -- def. Crestwood 35-0; NEXT: at Bishop England
7. Mid-Carolina (5-0) -- def. Chapin 35-0; NEXT: at Broome
8. Silver Bluff (4-1) -- def. Strom Thurmond 24-21; NEXT: vs. Swansea
9. Columbia (3-2) -- lost to Wade Hampton (G) 50-37; NEXT: vs. Strom Thurmond (Sept. 30)
10. Palmetto (4-1) -- def. Ware Shoals 21-14; NEXT: at Carolina

Class A
1. Lamar (5-0) -- def. St. John’s 36-6; NEXT: at Scott’s Branch
2. Williston-Elko (4-1) -- def. North 48-0; NEXT: at Denmark-Olar
3. Bamberg-Ehrhardt (5-0) -- def. Bethune-Bowman 50-6; NEXT: at Estill
4. Calhoun County (5-1) -- def. Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 48-6; NEXT: at Fox Creek
5. Abbeville (4-1) -- Bye; NEXT: at Ware Shoals
6. Hemingway (5-0) -- def. Carvers Bay 12-0; NEXT: at Creek Bridge
7. Scott's Branch (3-2) -- def. St. James 62-28; NEXT: at East Clarendon
8. Christ Church (5-0) -- def. Carolina 35-30; NEXT: vs. Southside Christian
9. Chesterfield (2-3) -- lost to Central 54-28; NEXT: vs. North Central
T10. Allendale-Fairfax (3-1) -- def. Whale Branch 34-22; NEXT: at Branchville
T10. Johnsonville (5-1) -- def. Lake View 28-19; NEXT: vs. Green Sea Floyds

Palmetto State Roundup- Week 5 scores

A.C. Flora 17, Saluda 15
Academic Magnet 54, Military Magnet 50
Airport 23, South Aiken 14
Allendale-Fairfax 34, Whale Branch 22
Ashley Ridge 28, James Island 21
Bamberg-Ehrhardt 50, Bethune-Bowman 6
Batesburg-Leesville 28, Brookland-Cayce 3
Beaufort 34, West Ashley 0
Belton-Honea Path 18, Clinton 17
Berea 20, Pickens 13
Berkeley 40, Hanahan 20
Bishop England 37, N. Charleston 0
Blacksburg 35, So. Christian 14
Blue Ridge 28, Travelers Rest 9
Boiling Springs 35, Mauldin 14
Byrnes 40, Hanna 18
Calhoun County 48, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 6
Calhoun Falls Charter 44, Carolina Acad. 12
Camden 33, Andrew Jackson 14
Camden Military 22, McBee 21
Central 54, Chesterfield 28
Chesnee 45, Chapman 42
Christ Church 35, Carolina 30
Clover 36, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 35
Daniel 26, Pendleton 7
Dillon 27, Marlboro County 6
Dixie 47, Whitmire 18
Dorman 34, Riverside 7
Dutch Fork 49, Lexington 43
Easley 28, Westside 7
Emerald 46, McCormick 8
Fairfield Central 63, Dreher 0
Fort Mill 41, Broome 35
Fox Creek 14, Denmark-Olar 0
Gaffney 33, Greenville 31
Garrett 12, Burke 6
Georgetown 28, Kingstree 19
Goose Creek 42, Fort Dorchester 28
Great Falls 27, Buford 0
Green Sea-Floyds 35, Latta 8
Greenwood 59, Wren 21
Hammond 28, Ben Lippen 14
Hardeeville 28, Estill 24
Hartsville 29, Cheraw 7
Heathwood 26, St. Joseph’s 14
Hemingway 12, Carvers Bay 0
Indian Land 49, North Central 7
Irmo 35, Aiken 23
J L Mann 21, Hillcrest 14
Johnsonville 28, Lake View 14
Lake City 35, Crestwood 0
Lake Marion 14, Cross 7
Lamar 36, St. John’s 6
Landrum 56, Liberty 14
Laurens 51, Woodmont 14
Lee Central 61, East Clarendon 27
Loris 55, Hannah-Pamplico 0
Manning 34, Lakewood 21
Marion 20, Timmonsville 16
Mid-Carolina 38, Chapin 0
Midland Valley 19, Barnwell 6
Mullins 38, Creek Bridge 20
Myrtle Beach 29, Conway 19
Ninety Six 7, Newberry 0
North Augusta 23, Evans, Ga. 10
N. Myrtle Beach 28, Carolina Forest 9
Northwestern 45, Nation Ford 35
O-Wilkinson 48, Richland Northeast 34
Palmetto 21, Ware Shoals 14
Ridge View 17, Lancaster 14, OT
Ridgeland 41, Branchville 7
Rock Hill 29, Blythewood 7
Scott’s Branch 62, St. James 28
Seneca 41, Seneca 0
Silver Bluff 24, Strom Thurmond 21
South Pointe 14, Spartanburg 13, OT
Summerville 41, Stratford 27
Sumter 42, Keenan 6
Swansea 19, Gilbert 12
Timberland 21, C.E. Murray 6
Union County 35, Woodruff 30
W.W. King 39, Trinity Collegiate 6
Wade Hampton (G) 50, Columbia 37
Wade Hampton (H) 64, Battery Creek 6
Wagener-Salley 26, RS-Monetta 19
Wando 42, Colleton County 3
West Florence 17, Wilson 14
West-Oak 37, Crescent 0
White Knoll 27, Lugoff-Elgin 3
Williston-Elko 48, North 0
Woodland 26, Cane Bay 17
York 49, Lewisville 0

Fab Five Games in the Palmetto State — Week 5

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Greenwood hopes to spring to an early lead in Region I-4A all while exacting a measure of revenge tonight in its contest vs. Wren.

1. Wren (3-1) at Greenwood (3-1): Wren ambushed the region rival Greenwood last season in Piedmont, scoring 28 unanswered points en route to a win and eventually a region crown. The Eagles are seeking revenge for that matchup, welcoming the Golden Hurricanes in for an early Region I —4A contest.
Wren's offense has put up big numbers in 2010, not being held under 20 points once thus far. However, Greenwood's defense is not to shabby it's self, allowing only defending Class 4A champion Dorman into double digits.
PREDICTION: Greenwood 28, Wren 21

2. Greenville (4-0) at Gaffney (3-2): It seemed Gaffney received quite the shot in the arm last week with a win over rival Byrnes, erasing three years of bad memories in the process. But there is no rest for the weary, as the undefeated Red Raiders visit The Reservation looking to continue its winning ways.
The past several games in this series have been quite thrilling, particularly last season's contest in which the Indians pulled out a 39-35 victory in the game's final moments. With both teams averaging more than 20 points per game, points could come in bunches as a result of these two potent offenses.
PREDICTION: Gaffney 35, Greenville 24

3. Irmo (3-1) at Aiken (3-1): No matter how balanced offensively head coach Bob Hanna wants his band of Yellow Jackets to be, the running game remains the team's bread and butter. Irmo running back Dawan Scott looks to be a shoe-in to pass the 1,000 yard plateau against the Green Hornets, with his Yellow Jackets having yet to be held under 28 points this year.
Aiken's first test against a quality opponent did not go well last week, being held to 14 points by a stingy Richland Northeast defense. It will have to tighten up soon if it wants any chance of winning against its region rival.
PREDICTION: Irmo 31, Aiken 14

4. Dillon (4-0) at Marlboro County (3-1): Dillon has been dominant this season, outscoring opponents 148-14 up to this point in 2010. It will attempt to keep the streak going all while trying to end another Friday night, taking on Marlboro County, winners of two of the last three games in the series.
The Bulldogs found themselves in the proverbial trap last week, receiving a thorough beating at the hands of Conway, 28-7. They will do their best to atone for the loss against the Wildcats, the defending Class 2A champions.
PREDICTION: Marlboro County 21, Dillon 18

5. Chesterfield (2-2) at Central (4-0): If one were to select a pound-for-pound best team in South Carolina, it would be hard to choose a team other than Central. The undefeated Eagles, in some polls regarded as the top team in Class 2A, already has an impressive win to its credit, defeating Class 3A power Chester 36-28.
Rival Chesterfield this week makes the trip to Pageland, losers of two straight yet winners of three of the past four games in the series. The game should definitely be a contrast in styles, with former University of South Carolina quarterback and current Golden Rams head coach Steve Taneyhill liking to move the ball through the air, while Central prefers to grinding yards out on the ground.
PREDICTION: Central 27, Chesterfield 10

Week 4- Several players put up HUGE numbers

Photo by Scott Powell/ The Gaffney Ledger

Blacksburg's Chase Hames followed up a 364 yard effort with another performance Wildcats fans will not soon forget.

Week 4 was one for the books as several players around the Palmetto State put up big numbers. Here are just a few of whom stuffed the stat sheet on the gridiron:

Chase Hames, Blacksburg: If the run is working, there’s no need to change what you’re doing.
Blacksburg coach Mickey Moss definitely has done that the past two weeks, his gameplan solely built on the strong running of Hames, who rushed for 437 yards and five touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 41-27 victory over Liberty. He also was the recipient of a touchdown pass.
It was the senior running back’s second consecutive standout performance, running for 364 yards and seven touchdowns the previous week.

Dawan Scott, Irmo: Few schools in South Carolina lean on the run like the Yellow Jackets, and this year is no different.
The latest running back to prosper in head coach Bob Hanna’s system is Dawan Scott, now 20 yards from the 1,000 yard mark following a 295 yard performance in Irmo’s 45-28 victory over Lexington.
Scott scored on runs of 70, 67 and 26 yards in the win, the Yellow Jackets’ 11th straight win the “Battle of the Dam.”

DeEdward Burris, Gaffney: Has Gaffney lost a bit of its swagger?
Burris did his best to silence pundits, going 24 for 37 for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the Indians’ 26-16 win over hated Byrnes. The senior also added 65 yards and a score on the ground in the win, Gaffney first over the Rebels since 2006.

Dayton Ayers, Chapman: The Panthers did not have enough to keep up with Woodruff last Friday, but it wasn’t because of Ayers, who caught seven passes for 224 yards and touchdowns passes of 61 and 59 yards in his team‘s 64-40 loss.

Nick Rodgers, Dorman: Defense led the Cavaliers all the way to a state crown last year. Rodgers’ head coach undoubtedly was proud of his effort vs. T.L. Hanna last Friday, racking up 16 tackles, including one for a loss in Dorman’s 31-14 win.

Randon Sandifer, Bamberg-Ehrhardt: Sandifer needed each of his 387 passing yards and three touchdowns last Friday, which proved to be just enough for the Red Raiders to pull out a 35-33 win over Ridgeland.

Justin Worley, Northwestern: Worley continues to put up big numbers in the Trojans’ “Air Raid” offense, going 29-of-39 for 365 yards in their 36-24 win over Blythewood. The Tennessee commit connected with six different receivers and threw for five touchdowns in the contest.

S.C. Prep Football- Week 5 Schedule

Games at 7:30 p.m unless noted

Thursday’s Games

Darlington at South Florence

Eastside at Greer

Friday’s Games

Allendale-Fairfax at Whale Branch

Battery Creek at Wade Hampton (H)

Beaufort at West Ashley

Belton-Honea Path at Clinton

Berkeley at Hanahan

Bethune-Bowman at Bamberg-Ehrhardt

Bishop England at North Charleston

Blacksburg at Southside Christian

Boiling Springs at Mauldin

Brookland Cayce at Batesburg-Leesville

Broome at Fort Mill

Buford at Great Falls

Burke at Garrett

Camden at Andrew Jackson, 8 p.m.

Camden Military at McBee

Cane Bay at Woodland

Carolina Forest at North Myrtle Beach

Carvers Bay at Hemingway

Chapin at Mid-Carolina

Cheraw at Hartsville

Chesnee at Chapman

Chesterfield at Central

Colleton County at Wando

Conway at Myrtle Beach

Cross at Lake Marion

Daniel at Pendleton

Denmark-Olar at Fox Creek

Dillon at Marlboro County

Dixie at Whitmire

Dreher at Fairfield Central, 8 p.m.

Estill at Hardeeville

Gilbert at Swansea

Goose Creek at Fort Dorchester

Green Sea-Floyds at Latta

Greenville at Gaffney

Greenwood at Wren

Hanna at Byrnes

Hannah-Pamplico at Loris

Hunter-Kinard-Tyler at Calhoun County

Indian Land at North Central

Irmo at Aiken, 8 p.m.

J L Mann at Hillcrest

James Island at Ashley Ridge

Johnsonville at Lake View

Keenan at Sumter

Kingstree at Georgetown

Lake City at Crestwood

Landrum at Liberty

Lee Central at East Clarendon

Lexington at Dutch Fork

Lugoff-Elgin at White Knoll

Manning at Lakewood

Marion at Timmonsville, 6 p.m.

McCormick at Emerald

Midland Valley at Barnwell

Mullins at Creek Bridge

Ninety Six at Newberry

Northwestern at Nation Ford

Orangeburg Wilkinson at Richland Northeast

Ridge Spring-Monetta at Wagener-Salley

Ridge View at Lancaster

Ridgeland at Branchville

Riverside at Dorman

Rock Hill at Blythewood

Saluda at A.C. Flora

Scott's Branch at St. James

South Aiken at Airport

South Pointe at Spartanburg

Southside at Seneca

St. John's at Lamar

Strom Thurmond at Silver Bluff

Summerville at Stratford

Timberland at C.E. Murray

Travelers Rest at Blue Ridge

Ware Shoals at Palmetto

West Florence at Wilson

West-Oak at Crescent

Westside at Easley

Williston-Elko at North

Woodmont at Laurens

Woodruff at Union County

Berea at Pickens

Columbia at Wade Hampton (G)

SCISA

Hammond at Ben Lippen

Laurence Manning at Cardinal Newman

Wilson Hall at Heathwood Hall

Orangeburg Prep at Porter-Gaud

Wilson Hall at Pinewood Prep

Hilton Head Prep at Bible Baptist

Hilton Head Chr. at Augusta Chr.

Thomas Sumter at Northwood Aca.

Williamsburg at R.E. Lee

Calhoun Aca. at Dorchester

Colleton Prep at St. Paul’s

Coastal Christan at Charleston Coll.

First Baptist at Cathedral Aca.

Bible Baptist at Hilton Head Prep

Pee Dee at Byrnes School

Dillon Christian at Florence Christian

Dorchester Aca. at Calhoun Aca.

Richard Winn at Holly Hill

Thomas Heyward at St. John’s Chrisitan

S.C. Prep Football- Week 4 scores

Thursday’s Games

Cane Bay 29, Hanahan 15

Easley 45, Riverside 14

Friday’s Games

A.C. Flora 37, Swansea 0

Abbeville 14, Pendleton 7

Academic Magnet 43, Lincoln 14

Airport 41, Keenan 14

Andrews 29, C.E. Murray 22

Ashley Ridge 22, West Ashley 19

Bamberg-Ehrhardt 35, Ridgeland 33

Barnwell 24, Burke 12

Batesburg-Leesville 42, Saluda 20

Beaufort 39, Stratford 12

Belton-Honea Path 47, Ninety-Six 6

Ben Lippen 24, C.A. Johnson 0

Berea 20, Blue Ridge 14

Bishop England 14, Baptist Hill 13

Blacksburg 41, Liberty 27

Blackville-Hilda 22, Ridge Spring-Monetta 13

Bluffton 30, Wade Hampton (H) 18

Broome 21, Chesnee 7

Byrnes Schools 34, Robert E. Lee 0

Camden 20, Lugoff-Elgin 10

Carolina Academy 29, West-Oak 6

Carolina Forest 38, Kingstree 13

Carvers Bay 61, Latta 0

Central 28, Carolina Pride 0

Chapin 24, Newberry 21

Christ Church 55, Eastside 14

Clinton 20, Boiling Springs 14

Clover 35, York 14

Columbia 48, Brookland-Cayce 6

Conway 28, Marlboro County 7

Cross 27, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 14

Daniel 42, Southside 12

Dorman 31, Hanna 14

Dutch Fork 31, White Knoll 14

East Clarendon 42, Camden Military 19

Edisto 32, Battery Creek 26

Estill 41, Branchville 7

Fairfield Central 28, Crestwood 14

Fort Mill 49, Lewisville 0

Fox Creek 50, North 12

Gaffney 26, Byrnes 16

Georgetown 30, Waccamaw 7

Goose Creek 63, Colleton County 0

Great Falls 44, Mount Zion Christian 14

Greenville 23, Greer 9

Greenwood 24, Spartanburg 7

Hardeeville 36, Whale Branch 8

Hemingway 20, St. James 0

Hillcrest 38, Woodmont 12

Hilton Head 35, North Charleston 25

Indian Land 34, McBee 21

Irmo 45, Lexington 28

James Island 26, Wando 14

Johnsonville 28, Creek Bridge 22

Lake City 54, Socastee 28

Lake View 34, Green Sea-Floyds 19

Lamar 27, Marion 7

Landrum 54, Dixie 21

Lee Central 30, Lakewood 27

Mallard Creek, N.C. 48, Chester 24

Manning at Berkeley 21, Manning 20

Mauldin 36, Westside 0

Mid-Carolina 40, Dreher 14

Mullins 26, Q Foundation 13

Myrtle Beach 28, South Florence 27

North Augusta 35, Sumter 14

Northwestern 36, Blythewood 24

Orangeburg-Wilkinson 42, Ridge View 21

Pelion 24, Gilbert 21

Pickens 55, Travelers Rest 12

Richland Northeast 28, Aiken 14

St. John’s 21, Andrew Jackson 19

St. Joseph’s 30, Thomas Jefferson Charter 17

Scott’s Branch 48, Chesterfield 29

Silver Bluff 10, Midland Valley 0

South Pointe 27, Rock Hill 0

Spring Valley 28, Lancaster 21

Stall 56, Military Magnet 18

Strom Thurmond 42, South Aiken 7

Summerville 28, Fort Dorchester 21

Union County 36, Laurens 26

W.W. King 61, Coastal Christian 0

Wade Hampton (G) 43, Seneca 0

Walhalla 21, Crescent 20

Ware Shoals 31, Emerald 15

Warren County, Ga. 47, McCormick 24

West Florence 36, Darlington 6

Williamsburg 34, Dillon Chr. 12

Williston-Elko 80, Wagener-Salley 26

Wilson 49, Timmonsville, 0

Woodland 53, Bethune-Bowman 0

Woodruff 64, Chapman 40

Wren 38, J L Mann 35

Calhoun County at Denmark-Olar, PPD

Eau Claire at Lower Richland

North Central at Buford

Cardinal Newman at Pinewood Prep

Hammond at Orangeburg Prep

How did the ranked teams fare? (Week 4) - S.C. Prep Football Writer's Poll

The S.C. Prep Writers’ Poll is compiled by The State with voting by Justin Jarrett-Beaufort, Gazette/Island Packet, Bob Castello, Greenville News; Barry Byers, Rock Hill Herald; Kevin Melton, Spartanburg Herald-Journal; Shane Bowen, Myrtle Beach Sun News; and Akilah Nelson, The State.

Previous week in parentheses.

Class 4A
1. Dorman (1) – def. T.L. Hanna 31-14
2. Northwestern (2) – def. Blythewood 36-24
3. Goose Creek (3) – def. Colleton County 63-0
4. Byrnes (4) – lost to Gaffney 26-16
5. Summerville (5) – def. Fort Dorchester 28-21
6. Greenwood (t7) – def. Spartanburg 24-7
T7. Gaffney (t7) – def. Byrnes 26-16
T7. Spartanburg (t9) – lost to Greenwood 24-7
9. Rock Hill (NR) – lost to South Pointe 27-0
10. North Augusta (t9) – def. Sumter 35-14

Class 3A
1. Myrtle Beach (1) – def. South Florence 28-27
2. South Pointe (t3) – def. Rock Hill 27-0
3. Marlboro County (t3) – lost to Conway 28-7
4. Clinton (6) – def. Boiling Springs 20-14
5. Greenville (7) – def. Greer 23-9
6. Fairfield Central (8) – def. Crestwood 28-14
7. Berkeley (2) – def. Manning 21-20
8. Chester (5) – lost to Mallard Creek (N.C.) 48-24
9. Belton-Honea Path (10) –def. Ninety Six 47-6
10. Camden (NR) – def. Lugoff-Elgin 20-10

Class 2A
1. Central (2) – def. Carolina Pride 28-0
2. Dillon (1) – bye
3. Timberland (3) – bye
4. Strom Thurmond (5) – def. South Aiken 42-7
5. Manning (6) – lost to Berkeley 21-20
6. Lake City (4) – def. Socastee 54-28
7. Silver Bluff (9) – def. Midland Valley 10-0
8. Woodruff (NR) – def. Chapman 64-40
T9. Hanahan (10) – lost to Cane Bay 29-15
T9. Mid-Carolina (NR) – def. Dreher 40-14

Class A
1. Lamar (3) – def. Marion 27-7
2. Williston-Elko (2) – def. Wagener-Salley 80-26
3. Chesterfield (1) – lost to Scott’s Branch 48-29
4. Bamberg-Ehrhardt (5) – def. Ridgeland 35-33
5. Abbeville (4) – def. Pendleton 14-7
6. Hemingway (t6) – def. St. James 20-0
7. Calhoun County (t6) – at Denmark-Olar (ppd.)
8. Christ Church (9) – def. Eastside 55-14
9. Allendale-Fairfax (t10) –bye
10. Johnsonville (NR) – def. Creek Bridge 28-22

Byrnes-Gaffney: Two of S.C.'s top programs enter annual rivalry game with something to prove

Photo by Larry B. Littlejohn/ The Gaffney Ledger

A Gaffney defender attempts to run down Byrnes quarterback Willy Korn (right) during the first of two contests between the rival programs in 2006. The Indians won both games en route to claiming a second consecutive state title. However, Byrnes has dominated the rivalry and ran roughshod over state competition since, winning the Class 4A crown in two of the past three years.

If there is one thing for sure, kids in the Upstate know how to play some football.
Particularly in South Carolina’s top classification, Class 4A, in which the likes of Byrnes, Dorman, Gaffney, Greenwood, and Rock Hill each won multiple championships last decade.
In fact, only two teams from outside the region left Columbia or Clemson with a hold of the state’s top prize in that time, Marlboro County in 2001 and Berkeley last season.
No two schools achieved more success during the first decade of the new century like Byrnes and Gaffney, the Upstate rivals combining for nine state titles -- sharing Class 4A supremacy twice during the span.
In 2006, the South Carolina High School League amended new rules changing the former playoff format allowing the state’s largest 16 schools -- the “Big 16” -- into the postseason, regardless of record. The revision finally allowed the schools the opportunity to settle their debate as to who was best on the field with everything on the line.
Gaffney prevailed in both meetings that season, the first in front of a national television audience and the second in the state quarterfinals, ending the Rebels pursuit of setting a new state record with its fifth consecutive championship.
The Indians would earn their 16th state crown, it in itself a S.C. record. However, since trouncing Irmo at Columbia's Williams-Brice Stadium in Dec. 2006, Gaffney has not defeated its rivals from Lyman.
Nor have too many other schools around the Palmetto State in the three years since, as the likes of Marcus Lattimore and Chas Dodd helped Byrnes run roughshod through competition en route to a 42-3 record and two state titles. Meanwhile, the Indians have gone 28-13 over that stretch, making no appearances in the Class 4A championship game and losing three straight games to the Rebels, including a 60-7 spanking last season at Nixon Field.
Without a doubt, Gaffney fans are hungry to end the streak. Already having lost two games this season, albeit to two of the state’s traditional powers Dorman and Greenwood, the Indians can ill afford another defeat.
Byrnes also has a blemish to its record, a 14-0 loss to nationally ranked Hoover (Ala.). Since then, it seems the Rebels have regained some of the swagger which they earned in winning six championships last decade, claiming a last second victory over Class 3A power Myrtle Beach and drubbing Forestview (N.C.) 52-6.
The game will mark the second time Byrnes has traveled to “The New Reservation,” the Indians on-campus facility which replaced venerable W.K. Brumbach Stadium in 2008. Gaffney hopes to call up some of the spirits which enabled it to down the Rebels’ in their final two appearances at “The Old Reservation,” the contest sure to provide a good litmus test as to how things will go in South Carolina’s top classification this season.
They’ll have a chance to decide all of that and more at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

S.C. Prep Football - Week 4

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Byrnes running back Shakeem Wharton hopes to find room this Friday when the Rebels travel to The Reservation to take on rival Gaffney.

All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted

Thursday’s Games
Riverside at Easley
Hanahan at Cane Bay

Friday’s Games
A.C. Flora at Swansea
Academic Magnet at Lincoln
Aiken at Richland Northeast
Bamberg-Ehrhardt at Ridgeland
Batesburg-Leesville at Saluda
Bishop England at Baptist Hill
Blue Ridge at Berea
Bluffton at Wade Hampton (H)
Blythewood at Northwestern
Branchville at Estill
Broome at Chesnee
Byrnes at Gaffney
C.E. Murray at Andrews
Calhoun County at Denmark-Olar
Camden at Lugoff-Elgin
Camden Military at East Clarendon
Carolina Academy at West-Oak
Carolina Forest at Kingstree
Carolina Pride at Central
Chapman at Woodruff
Chesterfield at Scott’s Branch
Clinton at Boiling Springs
Clover at York
Colleton County at Goose Creek
Columbia at Brookland-Cayce
Creek Bridge at Johnsonville
Daniel at Southside
Dixie at Landrum
Dorman at Hanna
Dreher at Mid-Carolina
Eau Claire at Lower Richland
Emerald at Ware Shoals
Fairfield Central at Crestwood
Fort Dorchester at Summerville
Greer at Greenville
Hanahan at Cane Bay
Hardeeville at Whale Branch
Hillcrest at Woodmont
Hilton Head Prep at Hilton Head
Hunter-Kinard-Tyler at Cross
Indian Land at McBee
Irmo at Lexington
Lake View at Green Sea-Floyds
Lakewood at Lee Central
Lamar at Marion
Latta at Carvers Bay
Lewisville at Fort Mill
Liberty at Blacksburg
Manning at Berkeley
Marlboro County at Conway
Mauldin at Westside
Military Magnet at Stall
Mount Zion Christian at Great Falls
Myrtle Beach at South Florence
Newberry at Chapin
Ninety Six at Belton-Honea Path
North at Fox Creek
North Central at Buford
Orangeburg-Wilkinson at Ridge View
Pelion at Gilbert
Pendleton at Abbeville
Pickens at Travelers Rest
Ridge Spring-Monetta at Blackville-Hilda
Rock Hill at South Pointe
Seneca at Wade Hampton (G)
Silver Bluff at Midland Valley
Socastee at Lake City
South Aiken at Strom Thurmond
Spartanburg at Greenwood
Spring Valley at Lancaster
St. James at Hemingway
Stratford at Beaufort
Sumter at North Augusta
Union County at Laurens
Waccamaw at Georgetown
Wagener-Salley at Williston-Elko
Walhalla at Crescent
Wando at James Island
West Ashley at Ashley Ridge
West Florence at Darlington
White Knoll at Dutch Fork
Wilson at Timmonsville, 6 p.m.
Woodland at Bethune-Bowman
Wren at J L Mann
Edisto at Battery Creek
Augusta Christian at Laurence Manning
C.A. Johnson at Ben Lippen
Cardinal Newman at Pinewood Prep
Hammond at Orangeburg Prep
Wilson Hall at Heathwood
Augusta Christian at Laurence Manning
Byrnes at Robert E. Lee
Carolina Academy at Dorchester
Dillon Chr. at Williamsburg
Holly Hill at Pee Dee
Richard Winn at Calhoun
Bible Baptist at Charleston Collegiate
Palmetto Christian at Coastal Christian
Florence Christian at Northwood
Hilton Head Christian at Thomas Sumter
First Baptist at Porter-Gaud

Saturday’s Game
Barnwell at Burke

Top performances around South Carolina - Week 3

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

Dorman's Raymond Smith put the Cavaliers on his back in their 35-28 victory over Greenwood.

Chase Hames, Blacksburg: The Wildcats’ senior rusher ran wild against Latta, accounting for 364 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in his team’s 64-36 victory. He also threw a touchdown pass to his younger brother, Nick.
Raymond Smith, Dorman: After a fumble in the first half, the Cavalier ball carrier racked up 139 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown in his team’s 35-28 victory over Greenwood. He also had four receptions for 42 yards and another score on the night.
De’Angelo Henderson, Summerville: Henderson rushed for 286 yards on 35 attempts Friday night, reaching the end zone five times in the Green Wave’s 64-57 triple overtime loss at Goose Creek. It was his third consecutive game putting up big numbers, accumulating 289 all-purpose yards (160 rushing and 118 receiving) in a 17-14 win over Berkeley and 259 rushing yards and five scores in a 50-26 win over Conway.
Shaq Roland, Lexington: Roland accounted for seven touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 56-28 win over Spring Valley. The Vikings had no answer for him on the night –by ground or air – racking up a total of 301 yards in those departments. He also threw a touchdown pass, ran for a 2-point conversion and passed for a 2-point conversion.
Quinn Backus, Greenwood: The Eagles’ linebacker intercepted two passes in his team’s 35-28 loss at Dorman, returning both thefts for scores (84 and 11 yards).

Palmetto State Roundup - Week 3

Photo by Joe L. Hughes II

The Dorman defense corrals a Greenwood ball carrier during Friday's contest in Roebuck. The Cavaliers prevailed in the game, 35-28.

Friday’s scores

Abbeville 25, Emerald 7
Aiken 27, Midland Valley 3
Airport 28, Hartsville 21
Andrew Jackson 40, North Central 6
Andrews 7, Carvers Bay 6
Anson HS 26, Chesterfield 8
Bamberg-Ehrhardt 14, Barnwell 7
Baptist Hill 24, North Charleston 22
Batesburg-Leesville 21, Newberry 0
Belton-Honea Path 35, Palmetto 0
Berea 38, Ware Shoals 35
Blacksburg 64, Latta 36
Blue Ridge 24, Pendleton 21
Bluffton 56, Estill 7
Branchville 38, Lincoln 22
Calhoun County 59, North 0
Calhoun Falls Charter 22, St. Joseph’s 13
Cane Bay 34, Edisto 14
Carolina Academy 36, Southside 0
Carolina Forest 51, Battery Creek 12
Central 36, Chester 28
Clinton 34, Laurens 0
Clover 40, Fort Mill 7
Conway 31, Socastee 14
Crescent 41, Dixie 27
Cross 29, Creek Bridge 21
Daniel 28, Westside 17
Denmark-Olar 37, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 36
Dillon 35, Wilson 7
Dorman 35, Greenwood 28
Dutch Fork 29, Lugoff-Elgin 22
Eau Claire 34, Dreher 20
Fort Dorchester 34, Beaufort 27
Fox Creek 14, Wagener-Salley 6
Gaffney 48, Union County 14
Garrett 41, Military Magnet 14
Goose Creek 64, Summerville 57, 3OT
Great Falls 29, Carolina Pride 21
Greenville 42, J L Mann 7
Hanna 36, Mauldin 35
Hemingway 19, C.E. Murray 6
Hilton Head 36, Hardeeville 12
Indian Land 56, Whitmire 8
Irmo 37, Chapin 29
James Island 41, Colleton Co. 21
Johnsonville 57, Aynor 13
Lake Marion 62, Bethune-Bowman 18
Lake View 7, Fairmont, N.C. 0
Lakewood 40, East Clarendon 20
Lamar 14, Darlington 12
Lancaster 32, Buford 0
Lee Central 26, McBee 21
Lexington 56, Spring Valley 28
Loris 42, Green Sea-Floyds 14
Manning 36, Crestwood 15
Marion 45, Cheraw 13
McCormick 26, Southside Christian 7
Mid-Carolina 54, Gilbert 0
Mullins 42, Timmonsville 16
Myrtle Beach 35, West Florence 31
Nation Ford 41, Lewisville 7
Ninety-Six 16, Saluda 13
North Augusta 34, Lakeside, GA 7
Orangeburg Wilkinson 40, Allendale-Fairfax 32
Pelion 48, C.A. Johnson 34
Pickens 27, Easley 13
Polk County 29, Landrum 12
Richland Northeast 52, Lower Richland 28
Riverside 28, Woodmont 6
Rock Hill 43, York 18
Scott’s Branch 62, Burke 12
Seneca 28, Broome 14
Silver Bluff 28, South Aiken 0
South Brunswick, N.C. 40, North Myrtle 10
Spartanburg 26, Sumter 11
St. John’s 14, Stall 12
Stratford 41, Ashley Ridge 28
Summerville Faith 40, Greenwood Chr. 18
Swansea 7, W.J. Keenan 0
Timberland 24, Berkeley 21
Waccamaw 35, Hannah-Pamplico 12
Wade Hampton (G) 43, Eastside 0
Wade Hampton (H) 29, Ridgeland 27
Walhalla 42, Liberty 22
Wando 30, West Ashley 6
White Knoll 41, Brookland-Cayce 0
Williston-Elko 50, Blackville-Hilda 0
Woodland 41, Kingstree 0
Woodruff 42, Chesnee 22
Wren 35, Hillcrest 0

Thursday's results
South Florence 31, Lake City 18
Northwestern 41, Ridge View 2
Chapman 47, Travelers Rest 14

SCISA Games
Ben Lippen 40, Augusta Christian 34
Bishop England 42, Cardinal Newman 17
Byrnes Schools 36, Williamsburg 26
Carolina Acad. 22, Richard Winn 15
Dorchester Aca. 34, Pee Dee 14
Hammond 56, Florence Christian 0
Hilton Head Chr. 45, First Baptist 2
Holly Hill 16, Calhoun Aca. 6
Orangeburg Prep 48, Heathwood Hall 14
Patrick Henry 78, Wardlaw 48
R.E. Lee 20, Dillon Christian 0
Thomas Sumter 41, Hilton Head Prep 26
W.W. King 47, Andrew Jackson 26

S.C. Prep Football Week Three schedule

Thursday's results
South Florence 31, Lake City 18
Northwestern 41, Ridge View 2
Chapman 47, Travelers Rest 14

Friday's games
Abbeville at Emerald
Airport at Hartsville
Allendale-Fairfax at Orangeburg Wilkinson
Anson HS at Chesterfield
Ashley Ridge at Stratford
Barnwell at Bamberg-Ehrhardt
Battery Creek at Carolina Forest
Beaufort at Fort Dorchester
Berkeley at Timberland
Bethune-Bowman at Lake Marion
Blacksburg at Latta
Blackville-Hilda at Williston-Elko
Brookland Cayce at White Knoll
C. A. Johnson at Pelion
Calhoun County at North
Calhoun Falls Charter at St. Joseph’s
Cane Bay at Edisto
Cardinal Newman at Bishop England
Carolina Academy at Southside
Carolina Pride at Great Falls
Carvers Bay at Andrews
Chapin at Irmo
Cheraw at Marion
Chester at Central
Conway at Socastee
Creek Bridge at Cross
Crescent at Dixie
Crestwood at Manning
Denmark-Olar at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler
Dillon at Wilson
Dutch Fork at Lugoff-Elgin
Easley at Pickens, 8 p.m.
Eau Claire at Dreher
Estill at Bluffton
Fort Mill at Clover
Fox Creek at Wagener-Salley
Gaffney at Union County
Garrett at Military Magnet
Gilbert at Mid-Carolina
Green Sea-Floyds at Loris
Greenville at J L Mann
Greenwood at Dorman
Hanna at Mauldin
Hannah-Pamplico at Waccamaw
Hillcrest at Wren
Hilton Head at Hardeeville
Johnsonville at Aynor
Kingstree at Woodland
Lakeside, GA at North Augusta
Lakewood at East Clarendon
Lamar at Darlington
Lancaster at Buford
Landrum at Polk County
Laurens at Clinton
Lee Central at McBee
Lexington at Spring Valley
Liberty at Walhalla
Lincoln at Branchville
McCormick at Southside Christian
Midland Valley at Aiken, 8 p.m.
Nation Ford at Lewisville
Newberry at Batesburg-Leesville
North Central at Andrew Jackson, 8 p.m.
North Charleston at Baptist Hill
Palmetto at Belton-Honea Path
Pendleton at Blue Ridge
Richland Northeast at Lower Richland
Ridgeland at Wade Hampton (H)
Saluda at Ninety Six
Seneca at Broome
Silver Bluff at South Aiken
Spartanburg at Sumter
Stall at St. John’s
Summerville at Goose Creek
Timmonsville at Mullins
Wade Hampton (G) at Eastside
Wando at West Ashley
Ware Shoals at Berea
West Florence at Myrtle Beach
Westside at Daniel
Whitmire at Indian Land
Woodmont at Riverside
Woodruff at Chesnee
York at Rock Hill
C. E. Murray at Hemingway

SCISA Games
Ben Lippen at Augusta Christian
Cardinal Newman at Bishop England
Orangeburg Prep at Heathwood Hall
Pinewood at Laurence Manning
Porter-Gaud at Wilson Hall
First Baptist at Hilton Head Chr.
Northwood at Thomas Heyward
Hammond at Florence Christian
Thomas Sumter at Hilton Head Prep
St. Andrews at Bible Baptist
Colleton Prep at Cathedral Aca.
St. Paul at Charleston Collegiate
Byrnes Schools at Williamsburg
R.E. Lee at Dillon Christian
Dorchester Aca. at Pee Dee
Holly Hill at Calhoun Aca.
Richard Winn at Carolina Acad.
St. John’s Christian at Palmetto Christian

9-11 Remembered: 'I think time stood still for a second'

Published: Sept. 10, 2010 — The Gaffney Ledger

It seemed the only thing out of the ordinary for Gaffney resident Natalie Bolden was the route she took to her 100 William St. office in the heart of Manhattan on a bright September morning in 2001.
Her place of work located merely a block from the World Trade Center, the woman, eight months pregnant at the time, made the split-second decision to travel by bus to work rather than her usual means of transportation — taxi.
“Honestly, I felt that was likely going to be one of the few things different about the day,” Bolden said. “The vibe was regular, everything was going as it usually did.”
It would soon become apparent that this was not your typical day. Rather, it was one which will be remembered for generations to come.
First hearing a loud, booming noise, Bolden had no idea what had occurred — yet, had an idea whatever happened was not good.
“I was actually in the World Trade Center the first time it was bombed in 1992,” she said. “Yet I didn’t believe something like it could occur again. But as I saw the typical route by city subway trains detouring rides from the World Trade Center toward the governor’s mansion, my heart began to sink a bit.”
Looking up into the New York City skyline, Bolden’s worries were confirmed, seeing a gaping hole in one of the two towers.
“I think time stood still for a second; I don’t think anyone knew exactly what to think,” she said.
Already receiving numerous phone calls from friends and family wondering about her well-being, Bolden sat at her desk hoping the worst had already occurred. Within minutes, however, such tranquility was interrupted by the voice of a newscaster alerting viewers a plane had flown into the second tower at the World Trade Center.
“All I could hear was him and his screaming,” Bolden said. “I turned my attention to the screen and then that’s when the second plane hit the tower.”
A rush for the stairwells within the William Street building would ensue shortly after, as the building shook due to the impact of the plane’s recent collision with the tower. As workers tried to scurry out of the building, the stairway became congested.
Within a few minutes, emergency personnel began allowing those inside Manhattan buildings to leave and seek refuge. Tearing up towels and wetting them before putting the cloths to their faces in an attempt to breathe, Bolden began praying for her safety, as well as those in the city, praying the building would not come tumbling down as they made their way toward the Hudson River.
“For a time we tried to get out, but a cloud of soot would not allow anyone to breathe or see,” she said. “All we could do is come out running, and pray the building did not fall on us.”
Being pregnant, Bolden knew there was no way she could cross the Brooklyn Bridge alone, yet she found her way to the sea port, following many others traveling toward the Hudson River.
During the ride on the Hudson River, panicked and very emotional, Bolden was finally able to get in contact with her mother, letting her know she was safe.
“When the towers went down, so did phone service,” she said. “It was not until I made it to another borough that I had coverage.”
Working for Wall Street for six years, Bolden had moved from her World Trade Center office earlier in the year. Now, nine years following the accident, she reminisces about the day and the memory of friends lost in the tragedy, all the while believing a higher power had something to do with why she is here today.
“If there is anything I know, it is that God is the reason I am here today; I am truly blessed,” Bolden said. “Honestly, I should have never got out of there; but I escaped, and better yet was unscathed.”
The memories of what occurred continue to sting a bit for Bolden though, turning down jobs in Manhattan following the tragedy to take on a new life in Gaffney.
“Everything was destroyed; I could not see myself going to work beside a gaping hole which became the place many of my friends took their last breaths,” Bolden said. “When I first got down here I shared my testimony of survival, of being blessed and covered. No doubt I’m a living testimony, and so is my child.”

South Carolina Week Two Scores

A.C. Flora 40, Eau Claire 21
Academic Magnet 28, Branchville 22
Aiken 27, Crestwood 19
Allendale-Fairfax 49, Bethune-Bowman 14
Ashley Ridge 38, Socastee 34
Augusta Christian 34, Cardinal Newman 3
Aynor 49, Green Sea Floyds 13
Bamberg-Ehrhardt 32, Edisto 3
Beaufort 48, Battery Creek 6
Ben Lippen 42, Pinewood Prep 7
Berea 26, Greer 16
Blackville-Hilda 35, Fox Creek 20
Blue Ridge 42, Eastside 0
Bluffton 25, Hardeeville 6
Byrnes School 53, Carolina Academy 20
Camden 32, West Florence 27
Carolina Forest 21, St. James 0
Carvers Bay 26, Waccamaw 14
Chapin 13, Swansea 7, OT
Charleston Collegiate 53, First Baptist 21
Christ Church 40, Christ School (N.C.) 6
Clover 20, Gastonia Forestview, N.C. 13
Denmark-Olar 20, Baptist Hill 9
Dillon 47, Latta 0
Dorchester Academy 34, Colleton Prep 20
Dorman 21, Spartanburg 14
Emerald 19, Pelion 7
Fairfield Central 47, Airport 13
Georgetown 8, Andrews 6
Goose Creek 32, Cane Bay 16
Greenville 24, D.W. Daniel 7
Greenwood 10, Gaffney 7
Hammond 49, Wilson Hall 9
Hanahan 38, Bishop England 21
Hannah-Pamplico 36, Creek Bridge 30
Hartsville 62, Lee Central 20
Hebron Christian Academy, Ga. 49, Southside Christian 21
Hilton Head Christian Academy 49, Florence Christian 37
Holly Hill Academy 35, St. John’s Christian Academy 0
Irmo 42, Fort Dorchester 13
J.L. Mann 59, Southside 12
James F. Byrnes 21, Myrtle Beach 14
James Island 28, R.B. Stall 7
Jefferson Davis Academy 51, Patrick Henry Academy 34
Johnsonville 65, East Clarendon 32
Lake View 41, Dillon Christian 6
Lamar 20, Timmonsville 6
Laurens 26, Hillcrest 0
Lexington 18, Blythewood 15
Lincoln County, Ga. 42, McCormick 13
Manning 28, Marion 25
Mid-Carolina 7, Batesburg-Leesville 0
Midland Valley 27, South Aiken 26
Newberry 28, Brookland-Cayce 21
North Augusta 38, Dutch Fork 28
North Central 28, St. Joseph’s 21
North Charleston 18, Burke 16
Northwestern 41, York Comprehensive 0
Northwood Academy 36, Cathedral Academy 0
Orange.-Wilkinson 55, Colleton Cty. 7
Palmetto 34, Dixie 0
Pickens 52, Liberty 13
Porter-Gaud 42, Heathwood Hall 0
Ridgeland 44, Hilton Head 33
Rock Hill 32, Nation Ford 24
Silver Bluff 33, Ninety Six 7
South Columbus, N.C. 22, Loris 14
South Florence 20, Wilson 0
South Pointe 34, Charlotte Independence, N.C. 27
St. Andrews School 36, Hilton Head Prep 26
Strom Thurmond 41, Saluda 7
Summerville 17, Berkeley 14
Sumter 31, Stratford 28
Thomas Heyward Academy 27, Bible Baptist 20
Thomas Sumter Academy 36, Pee Dee Academy 18
Timberland 28, Cross 6
W. Wyman King Academy 57, Beaufort Academy 6
Wade Hampton (G) 49, Chapman 20
Wade Hampton (H) 22, Estill 21
Wando 21, Conway 7
West Ashley 44, Lake Marion 0
White Knoll 43, Gilbert 7
Williamsburg Academy 37, St. Paul’s Academy 8
Williston-Elko 62, Ridge Spring-Monetta 6
Woodland 35, Scott’s Branch 8
Wren 56, Riverside 0