Carvers Bay Football Focused On State Championship Run IN ‘26
Head coach Matthew Richard is starting his 8th season as the Bears head coach and his team is coming off a 12-1 record from last season.
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Hemingway—Carvers Bay had a big win over Class A opponent Latta to start the 2026 season, 27-0, and the Bears week two game was against Waccamaw but bad weather delayed that game until Monday, August, 31 HSSR as going to press earlier.
Head coach Matthew Richard is starting his 8th season as the Bears head coach and his team is coming off a 12-1 record from last season.
Coach Richard calls Waccamaw a team that demands assignment football from their opponents. “They run a triple option offense that looks like a flex bone, and they come at your defense from all over the field,” said Coach Richard. “We have to limit our mistakes against them.”
Against Latta, quarterback Chris Simmons scored three rushing touchdowns and running back Dominique Walker scored the team’s fourth touchdown on a short run to lead the Bears against the Vikings. Simmons also plays FS on defense.
One of the team’s top newcomers is junior WR/SS Jayshaun Ford (6-0,170) who had nearly 175 yards in receptions against Latta. “Many of his catches against Latta either gave us first downs or got us in the red zone where we were able to run it in for a touchdown,” said Coach Richard. “Having a receiver like him will help set up our running game because the defense has to account for him on every play.”
“I feel like we can compete and win against anyone on our schedule,” said Coach Richard. “Players like Simmons, Walker, Tristan Diggs, Jayshawn Ford, and Saquan Hannah are very good players for us on both sides of the ball.”
Carvers Bay also picked up two transfers from Georgetown High who are starting for the Bears. They are RB/CB Trent Singleton and TE/LB Xavier Newbold. Newbold had an interception against Latta.
Coach Richard said Diggs (6-2, 280) had six pancake blocks against Latta, and he helped the Bears running game have a huge night against the Vikings.
On defense, versus Latta Coach was pleased with the play of senior defensive end Jaquan Hannah (6-2, 215). “Jaquan was hurt several games last year, so it is great to have him healthy and playing well again,” said Coach Richard. “He has eight tackles and two sacks against Latta.”
The team’s top tackler against the Vikings was linebacker Dominique Walker (5-7, 210) with 10 tackles. Defensive end Xavier Frederick contributed seven tackles also.
“Our goal this season is to play one week at the time and not get too far ahead of ourselves,” said Coach Richard. “The sky is the limit for this group and with good athletes like Simmons and Walker we are confident any time we take the field.”
