Balance and big plays lift Summerville to win over South Florence

David Shelton • September 1, 2024

Mail

Summerville - One would expect some fireworks anytime two of the state’s top high school football teams got together and Friday night’s contest between South Florence and Summerville did not disappoint.

South Florence, ranked No. 2 in Class AAAA, and Summerville, ranked No. 5 in Class AAAAA, met at Summerville’s John McKissick Field with nothing on the line except some bragging rights between two state championship contenders.

South Florence has played in the last two AAAA title games, winning in 2022, while the Green Wave has reached the state semi-finals in each of the last two seasons.

Summerville was able to hit on the most big plays as quarterback Jaden Cummings threw for 311 yards and five touchdowns in a 46-20 win.

“We are blessed to have a really good quarterback and we have some playmakers around him so it’s our job as coaches to try to create situations where they can excel,” Summerville head coach Ian Rafferty said. “We executed at a high level against a really good team. This is a good win. We’re just trying to get better each week.”

Summerville led by as many as 18 points in the second half, coming up with two turnovers to thwart successful South Florence drives.

The first half fireworks from Summerville’s side came in the passing game with Cummings connecting on three touchdown passes in the first half for the second straight week. The Dartmouth commit completed his first seven passes on the opening scoring drive.

Two of the first half scores went to sophomore Jaiden Kelly-Murray and another to senior Keshon Washington as the Green Wave built a 22-14 lead. Cummings finished the half with 200 passing yards.

Kelly-Murray finished the night with nine catches for 101 yards while Washington caught six passes for 143 yards and three scores, adding 47 yards rushing. Running back Jay Williams gained 136 yards with a touchdown.

South Florence senior Jaylen Sellers, a versatile athlete and USC commit, contributed several receptions in the first half but the Bruins scored twice on the ground on runs by Cameron James and Tre Leonard.

Summerville also got a 41-yard field goal from Bennett Kelley. Leading the Green Wave defensive effort were JT Williams (12 tackles), Eli Pressley (11 tackles) and Yasir Smith (6 tackles, sack, TFL.

“Most people don’t know that we are basically 11 new starters on defense,” Rafferty said. “We moved our best defensive player (Kelly-Murray) to offense and moved our returning corner to safety. That group is going to get better as the season wears on.”

Summerville will hit the road next week, visiting long-time area rival Berkeley.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Gators’ Hall has built consistent winner on Redbank Road

By Rob Gantt • July 30, 2025

Blake Hall has coached the Gators since the 2012-13 season and consistently produced winning teams over the years.

Hanahan volleyball program under new leadership

By Rob Gantt • July 30, 2025

Hanahan High School promotes Jamie Kock to head coach of the girls varsity volleyball. Koch, who has moved up from the junior varsity, takes over for former coach Sheena Lanham.

First Baptist Hires New AD and Football Coach

By David Shelton • July 30, 2025

By David Shelton Senior Writer Charleston – First Baptist School has new leadership within its football program and athletic department for the coming 2025-26 school year. Kevin Mapp was hired as the new head football coach in the early spring and Jay Godbolt was hired as the new athletic director at the start of the summer. Mapp has extensive coaching experience on both the college and high school levels while also working in law enforcement. First Baptist is his first head coaching position. Mapp last coached defensive linemen at James Island Charter High and has had coaching stints at James Madison, Hampden-Sydney, Georgetown, Marshall, Missouri State and Coastal Carolina. Mapp graduated from James Madison and was a defensive lineman on the 2004 Division I-AAA (now FCS) national championship team. “Coaching has always been my passion,” Mapp said. “Ever since I was playing, I wanted to be a coach. I have always found a way to coach while working in law enforcement. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunities to do both.” Mapp has been with the Charleston County police department for the last 10 years. He took some time away from coaching to start a family. “I felt like First Baptist was the perfect fit for me and my family,” Mapp says. “It’s a great opportunity at a great place. The kids here work hard and there is a lot of support from the administration. I’m excited to be the head football coach at First Baptist.” Mapp has hired coordinators on both sides of the ball. Will McCombs , once the head coach of the program, will call the offensive plays. Chris Hart comes over from James Island as the defensive coordinator. “Our numbers are improving and the kids are working hard,” Mapp said. “I feel like we can be a competitive team. It’s year one of the building process.” Godbolt has been a coach and athletic director in the Charleston area for nearly two decades. As the boys basketball coach at Charleston Collegiate, Godbolt coached three state championship teams. He also has been a coach and athletic director at Lowcountry Leadership Academy. Godbolt has more than 450 career victories as a head basketball coach. Current First Baptist basketball coach Antoine Saunders was Godbolt’s assistant at Charleston Collegiate.