Fox Creek off to 4-1 start

Dennis Brunson • October 10, 2024

Mail

By Dennis Brunson

hssr.com Associate Editor

North Augusta – After winning just four of 17 games over the two previous seasons, the Fox Creek High School football team has already matched that total this year through its first five games. It just remains to be seen how that translates when it comes to playing its Region 4-AAA schedule.

The Predators are 4-1 on the season, playing their final game against Williston-Elko on Wednesday, September 25, just over a day before Hurricane Helene cut its destructive path in the counties along the Georgia-South Carolina state line. They won that game 42-14.

Fox Creek had to back out of its game against Orangeburg-Wilkinson on October 4 because of the recovery effort. The Predators are supposed to start their region schedule with a road contest at Newberry on October 11, but it remains to be seen if that game will be played.

Fox Creek is then scheduled to travel to Columbia to face Keenan on October 18. Its final two region games will be at home against Swansea on October 25 before closing out the regular season against fellow Aiken County school Silver Bluff.

What makes things interesting in regards to the Predators is they moved up to AAA from AA due to reclassification. They didn’t make the AA state playoffs last year, but are assured of making the playoffs this year since the 5-team region has five playoff berths.

The Predators did not play a school in its classification in its non-region schedule. They faced three Class A teams and two AA teams in Glenn Hills and Josey from across the state line in Augusta in their games.

Along with the victory over Williston-Elko, Fox Creek defeated McCormick 49-0, Glenn Hills 44-6 and Josey 47-0. The Predators are actually on a 4-game winning streak, having lost to Dixie 34-24 to start the season.

The win over Williston-Elko was actually homecoming for Fox Creek. After a scoreless first quarter, the Predators took a 14-0 lead into halftime. Nate Owens caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Devonta Holmes with Jacob Spinks adding the extra point. W-E turned the ball over on the ensuing possession and Fox Creek turned it into a 3-yard scoring run by Mike Grigg, the first of three for him on the evening.

The Blue Devils cut the lead to 14-7 at the start of the third quarter. However, Manny Abro broke off a 42-yard scoring run for the Predators. Holmes then returned a fumble 45 yards for a touchdown and a 28-7 lead.

Grigg had touchdown runs of 20 and four yards in the final stanza.

< 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.