For the second straight week, a Lowcountry high school football team took down a state powerhouse.
Last week, Oceanside Collegiate ended Class AAAAA No. 1 Dutch Fork’s 24-game winning streak. On Friday, Northwood Academy made its mark with a 23-10 win over perennial SCISA state champion Hammond School of Columbia.
Hammond (5-1) had not lost a game to a SCISA school since October 2020 when it lost to First Baptist. Ironically, current Northwood coach Johnny Waters was the head coach at First Baptist the last time Hammond lost.
“I told the players after Thursday’s practice that it would be a slugfest, and it played out that way,” said Waters, now in his third season at Northwood. “It wasn’t pretty on either side, but it was a hard-fought, competitive game. It’s certainly a big win for what we are trying to build here.”
Waters inherited a program that had lost 29 straight games and won six games in his first season. He posted 10 wins last season.
Kevin Johnson, a transfer from Fort Dorchester, threw for more than 200 yards and tossed touchdown passes to Drew Wolf and Aydan Hogan for the Chargers (5-1). Running back Kaven Ford also had a rushing touchdown in the win.
The Chargers will play Cardinal Newman next week.
Cross 36, Branchville 6
Tyler Harris completed all six of his passing attempts, two for touchdowns, for 96 yards for Cross (5-1). Mah’ky Green rushed for 141 yards and two scores on just five carries. Linebacker William Grant returned an interception for a touchdown.
Cross will play St. John’s next week.
Pinewood Prep 69, Hilton Head Christian 28
Silas Brawner threw for 268 yards and five touchdowns for the Panthers (5-1). Lavoris Lucas had two touchdown receptions and totaled 118 yards on three catches. Jayden Alexander also caught two scoring passes, and Tre Green caught one. Grayson Salego added 125 yards on the ground, scoring four times as well.
Pinewood will travel to Wilson Hall next week.
Oceanside Collegiate 47, Atlantic Collegiate 0
Aiden Manavian threw a pair of touchdown passes and Zahki Muncey had two rushing touchdowns to propel the Landsharks (4-2) to their fourth straight win. Jordan Wright scored on a 70-yard interception return.
The Landsharks will host Hanahan in their region opener next Friday.
Hanahan 36, Andrews 22
Quarterback Tripp Gallus threw two touchdown passes, both to Quamell Grant, and Isaiah Snodgrass had two rushing TDs for the Hawks (3-3). Gallus completed 9 of 11 pass attempts for 185 yards, and Snodgrass finished with 126 yards rushing. Grant had five receptions for 130 yards, and Grayson Mathes returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown.
Hanahan will play at Oceanside Collegiate next week.
Dorchester Academy 34, Carolina Academy 6
The Raiders remained undefeated led by John Whetsell’s 269 yards rushing and three touchdowns. John Quattlebaum added 126 yards passing, and Bradley Sievert had seven tackles and two sacks.
Berkeley 54, St. James 0
Henry Rivers threw four touchdown passes, all in the first half, as the Stags rolled to a road win. Berkeley scored on its first seven possessions of the game and led 47-0 at halftime. Catching touchdown passes from Rivers were Eli Mitchell (two), John Cleveland and Jessie Brown. Rivers finished his night 14 of 16 for 236 yards. Keller Wofford threw two touchdown passes in relief.
Berkeley will open region 7-AAAAA at Stratford next week. Both teams are 4-1 this season.
Summerville 48, Goose Creek 0
Summerville’s starters played the first half and built a big lead in the rout. Max Stafford completed 9 of 12 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns for the Green Wave (4-1). Cam Grayson added 105 yards rushing and two touchdowns on only five carries. Teru Davis had four receptions for 111 yards and Jaiden Kelly-Murray had 89 yards on four catches with a touchdown.