5th Ranked Berkeley Moves To 4-0 With Impressive 29-3 Win Over Summerville
Berkeley senior QB Henry Rivers continues to put up impressive stats.
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Moncks Corner—Berkeley Stags (4-0) senior quarterback Henry Rivers continued to put up impressive dual threat numbers in his team’s 29-3 win over Summerville High on Sept. 11 on Hall of Fame night at Bonner Stadium.
Rivers completed 12-of-passes for 142 yards and he added 70 rushing yards on 13 carries including touchdown runs of four and six yards in the win.
The last time Summerville was held to three, or fewer points, was in their 3-0 victory over West Ashley in 2020. The Green Wave’s points came on 19-yard field goal by Nate Beaver on their opening drive of the game.
After the win, Stags head coach Eric Lodge told the HSSR, “Obviously, our defense played really well and I can’t tell you the last time I recall Summerville being held to just three points,” said Coach Lodge. “We had some huge red zone stops to keep them off the board.
“Then on offense, we felt like we moved the ball really well when we blocked the right guys and executed,” said Coach Lodge. “We felt like we executed our game plan really well for the most part.”
Coach Lodge praised the leadership of Rivers. “Henry is really dynamic and with his arm he cam make every throw on the field and then you have to account for his feet when he runs the ball,” said Coach Lodge. “When he is seeing it well, and when he sees it like we are seeing it, and when we get in good positions, he is supper hard to stop as a quarterback.”
Coach Lodge also cited the play of the Stag’s defense, especially the defensive front. “I thought our D-line played very well, led by senior Jakhi Chapman along with Aiden President, Chance Coleman, Liam Crisp and Malik Crocker,” said Coach Lodge. “We have several other players we rotate, and roll through there.
“I felt like the linebacking corp did a really job too on down through the secondary,” said Coach Lodge. “The defense does a really good job of understanding their roles on the field. Our goal on defense is making your offense have to execute.”
Summerville head coach Ian Rafferty also talked with the HSSR after the game. “We have to focus on getting better,” said Coach Rafferty. “We are either going to get better, or worse, because teams do not stay the same. Our goal is certainly to get better and hopefully our kids will come to practice this week, put this game behind us, and focus on getting ready to play a talented James Island team.
“This one was a hard pill to swallow,” said Coach Raffery. “Hats off to them. They showed up ready to play and executed very well and they kept their composure. I felt like we didn’t keep our composure very well in this game. All we can do is keep working, coach them up better, and put them in a position to be successful.”
After Summerville went up 3-0 with 5:10 left in the first quarter the Stags scored 29 unanswered points. Besides River’s two TD runs in the first quarter, Ryland Cuwan kicked a 32-yard field goal with 6:14 left in the half to put the Stags up 16-3 at the break.
Berkeley extended the lead to 22-3 on their opening drive of the third period on a 57-yard run by junior RB Lawrence Washington with Cuwan adding the PAT. Then with 3:24 left in the game RB Rashard Davis scored on a 45-yard run and Cuwan’s PAT made the final score 29-3.
Behind River’s 70 yards rushing was Washinton with 69 yards while Davis had 45 yards on his only carry of the game.
Summerville was led in rushing by senior RB Jayvyn Willimas with 50 yards on 18 carries. Green Wave junior QB Ethan D’Water completed 10 passes for 42 yards, and he had a key of 21- yard run in the game.
The Class of 2026 Berkeley Athletic Hall of Fame Class was recognized at half-time. This distinguished group of former athletes included Royce Droze, Ted Fiddie, Steve Lynes, and Dawn White. Members of the 1996 State Championship football team were also honored. The first ever back-to-back (2024-25 & 2025-26) Lady Stags state championship basketball teams were also honored at the half.
Berkeley will host Northwestern this week while Summerville visits James Island.
