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Trojans hoping to get back on track

By Rob Gantt

Special to the HSSR

The James Island football team has hit a bit of a speed bump after racing out to a fast start this fall.

The Trojans won their first three games but have dropped two straight to Wando and Ashley Ridge to fall to 3-2 on the season heading into this week’s matchup against non-region foe Beaufort.

The Eagles are also 3-2 after blanking West Ashley 13-0 last week. James Island hasn’t beaten Beaufort since 2003.

The Trojans continued to be led by versatile quarterback Justin Bolus. He’s over 1,000 yards combined in passing and rushing and is among the Lower State’s top rushers five weeks into the season.

“He’s a big, strong guy and he’s a lot faster than he looks,” James Island coach Randy Hilyer told the Post and Courier after a recent game. “He will stick it up in there and get the tough yards.”

Against Ashley Ridge, Bolus scored his seventh touchdown on the ground, a five-yarder in the second half.

Receiver Devin Brown makes his grabs count for James Island. He averages over 20 yards a grab and has two touchdown receptions this season.

Cornell Stanley is approaching 400 yards rushing and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season the other night against Ashley Ridge, a 32-yarder.

Before losing to Ashley Ridge, the Trojans fought hard in their Region 7-AAAA opener against Wando.

They held Wando under 200 yards and forced four turnovers but came up on the short end, 14-7.

Bolus was vintage Bolus, though. He had 147 yards rshing, 88 yards passing and hit Brown with a 12-yard TD pass.

The last time James Island won a game was on a Thursday night against Colleton County. Bolus has a monster game, scoring on the ground from 84, 29 and 53 yards.

Stanley added 119 yards rushing and linebacker Taylor Morris led the defensive effort in the 28-10 win.

After Beaufort, the Trojans travel to Summerville.

 

region title. We have the talent. We just need some time on the floor in match situations. I think we?re going to be fine.?

While having no seniors, Frasier does have nine juniors on this year?s squad. Two of those are third-year varsity players and two more are second-year varsity performers. The team lost their season opener to a very good Porter Gaud squad and will play this weekend in a tournament that should help them gain some experience.

The two leaders of the team are junior outside hitter Amanda Johnson and junior setter Tyler Bainbridge ? both three-year varsity players. Junior Latisha White is starting at middle blocker, along with Morgan Lange. Junior Sara King is an outside hitter, as is Savannah Rogers. Junior Nikki Brown is a defensive specialist on the back and Tori McGraw is a middle hitter. The lone freshman on the team is middle hitter McKenzy Taylor.

?Our big thing early is just learning to handle some adversity a little better,? said Frasier. ?We tend to get a little rattled if we lose a few points and we can?t get it back together quick enough. We don?t have the confidence yet but it will come as we play more.?