Berkeley Football Shows Great Potential 2026 With Their Dominating 36-0 Win Over Stratford To Start The Season
Berkeley QB Henry Rivers scrambling in a game last season.
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Moncks Corner—The Berkeley Stags have served notice, with their 36-0 win over Stratford on August 20 that they are a strong contender to compete for a Region 6-AAAAA title this season, and they should also have a deep play-off run as head coach Eric Lodge enters his 4th season as the head football coach of the Stags.
Stratford was hit by heavy graduation losses, mainly at quarterback in the offensive line while the Stags were led in the shut-out by a veteran senior quarterback, an experienced offensive line, and several playmakers on defense.
Berkeley built a 14-0 first quarter lead after the first period on a four-line TD run by running back LJ Washington and a 14-yard run by QB Henry Rivers. Berkeley went on to compile 447 yards of total offense in their most dominating win over their county rivals in recent memory.
“Football wise, I felt like we came out and played pretty well tonight,” said Berkeley head coach Eric Lodge, beginning his 4th season with the Stags after a long coaching stint in Florida.
“There are a few things, here and there that we need to clean up, especially the penalties that are not to my liking,” said Coach Lodge from his office after the game. “Over-all I am pleased with our performance. Anytime you shut a team out I feel like that is a complete team accomplishment in all three phases of the game.”
Coach Lodge was pleased with the Stags balanced offensive attack in the home game. Rivers, who recently committed to the C of C for baseball, completed 12-of-21 passes for 253 yards while the Stags also compiled 193 rushing yards on 34 carries in the game.
Rivers also rushed for 93 yards on 10 carries with two rushing touchdowns. Senior RB LJ Washington added 46 yards on 10 carries with two touchdowns. Junior Dylan Howard added 29 yards on two carries.
The Stags top receivers were senior Ashton Hyche (6-1, 182) who caught three passes for 43 yards and a TD along with junior Bryson McGee who had two catches for 40 yards and a touchdown.
“We have really capable receivers, and really capable running backs, along with a very capable quarterback who can make all the throws, plus make plays with his feet, so I think our balance comes from our various ways we can attack a defense,” said Coach Lodge.
Coach Lodge also cited the play of the Stag’s offensive line. “Our left tackle is senior Caden Freeman (6-4,332) and he is like the elder statesman of our offensive line with leadership and experience,” said Coach Lodge. “We have a little rotation going with our guards.
Sophomore Elijah Pennie (6-0, 286) started at left guard tonight and we have a very bright future with him being able to play all five spots, and we are excited to have him for another three seasons.
“Junior Jaxtin Gibson (6-0,306) is our center and junior Sy’ion Holmes (6-2, 213) is starting at right guard and junior Connor Finley (6-2, 302) is our right tackle,” said Coach Lodge.
On defense, against the Knights, the top three tacklers were senior DL Aiden President (5-10, 210) with seven tackles, including two TFL. He can play on the edge or nose. “Aiden is a little under-sized and we are known for that,” said Coach Lodge. “He is super quick, fast and hard to block,” said Coach Lodge.
Junior DE Chance Coleman (5-11, 209) had five tackles, while junior OLB/FS Copeland President contributed five tackles Also. DB’s Hyche and senior Jessie Brown each had one interception on defense.
“We really like our defensive front,” said Coach Lodge. “We feel like we have 8 guys who we can rotate in-an-out of the defensive front. When you have a shut-out I consider it a complete team effort. Someone might not have an eye- popping stats but everyone played well together as a unit, and I am proud of their efforts for sure.”
The Stags also have an effective place kicker in senior Ryland Kirkland who barely missed two field goal attempts during the game in the 40-yard range.
Berkely will face Fort Dorchester next week while Stratford travels to Cane Bay.
Coach Lodge said that the Stag’s off-season program has been a key to his team’s success. “I will put our off-season program up against anyone else’s in the country,” said Coach Lodge. “Some of team’s might have nicer things then us but our strength and conditioning program is what we focus on, and we feel like we are in great shape as a team.”
Veteran Stratford head coach Dennie McDaniel told the HSSR after the game, “Give credit to Berkley’s defensive front because we could not get our rushing game going at all tonight,” said Coach McDaniel. “We are playing two sophomore quarterbacks (Caleb Lott and Dathan Haywood), and we are going to have to shorten the play book and simplify things some while they are developing.
“I was not pleased with all the penalties we had tonight, but I was proud of the way we battled and never quit,” said Coach McDaniel. “We are a young team, and we have a lot to work on in practice to get better prepared for next week when we play at Cane Bay.”
The Knights are starting five new athletes in the offensive line. Last year’s all-state QB Jachin Davis is now battling for a starting position at Liberty University where he has drawn early praise from Liberty head coach Jamie Chadwell.
Davis threw for 6,100 yards and rushed for 1,600 yards during his career at Stratford.
