Beaufort looks to finish strong down stretch

David Shelton • October 18, 2024

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By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Beaufort – The quest for a region championship in football begins on Oct. 4 and all that happened in the non-region slate of games can be put to rest.

Beaufort struggled through the non-region portion of their 2024 schedule, posting a 1-4 record against a tough schedule. Now the focus turns to region play and how the Eagles fare during the next five weeks will determine their playoff fate. Beaufort will do region battle with Colleton County, Bluffton, Bishop England, May River and Hilton Head.

Consistency is the main goal for the Eagles as head coach Bryce Lybrand navigates through a few injuries and some inexperience.

Leading offensively is senior quarterback Samari Bonds, who has passed for nearly 600 yards and rushed for nearly 300 yards in the non-region schedule. Bonds is the team’s leading rusher with Elias Johnson adding about 200 yards on the ground.

Caleb Stephan and Marion Jackson have been the leading receivers.

Linebacker Will Codding and Issac Smalls have been the defensive leaders, each averaging about eight tackles per game.

The other fall sports teams also are gearing up for a strong finish to the regular season with sights set on making the state playoffs.

The state swim meet is set for mid-October and Beaufort has several swimmers that should qualify for a medal opportunity. The girls 200 medley relay team should earn that chance after setting a school record on Oct. 1. Members of that record-setting unit include Susan Cushman, Rebecca Farmer, Amorette Chapman, and Claire Jones.

The girls golf team is preparing for their play in the region tournament, hoping to be qualify for the AAAA Lower State tournament later this month.

Jocelyn Senna plays the No.1 slot on the team. Kenadie Cole is No. 2 and Lauren Holcombe is No. 3. Rounding out the top five is Saylor Waldorf and Emma Pfeister.

Yzeuit Antia anchors the girls cross country team this fall. Savannah Stokes, Savannah Dickerson and Cecelia Terry round out the top four in most events.

Clay Dalon is the top runner on the boys team, followed by Ryli Corbin, David Barr, Max Gibbons and Fred Waddell.

The girls volleyball team is battling for a top four finish in the region standings as the season winds down. Among the top performers this season have been Alyson Dennison, Selena Duncan, Piper Kennedy, Camille Giblin and Chloe Sampson.

Dennison leads the team in kills while Duncan leads the team in digs. Giblin leads the team in assists.

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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.