Manning hopes matchup with Sumter in FTC Jamboree pays dividends against Crestwood
Monarchs play host to Crestwood on Monday at 7 p.m. at Ramsey Stadium
Manning – When the Manning High School football team met Sumter in the final of six scrimmages in the Fifth Annual FTC Jamboree on August 14, Monarchs head coach Reggie Kennedy had a plan in mind.
“It was a good measuring stick to see where we’re at, going against a well-coached team,” said Kennedy, whose AA MHS team lost to the AAAAA Gamecocks 21-0 in two 15-minute quarters with a running clock, immediately following the contest. “We’ve got some things we need to clean up, and that’s one of the things going up against a well-coached team like Sumter.”
Kennedy and Manning will get to see if that preseason test will prove beneficial when they play host to Crestwood in their season opener on Monday at 7 p.m. at Ramsey Stadium. The game was originally scheduled for Friday, August 21, but was postponed due to thunderstorms.
“Going against Sumter was good for us in getting ready for Crestwood,” Kennedy said. “We’re not going to face anyone as physical at Crestwood on our schedule.
“Talent-wise, we’re probably better than we were last year,” Kennedy said. “I think there’s just some little stuff we need to clean up. When you play a good team like Sumter, you can’t put them on a short field. “I was a little disappointed offensively. We had a lot of success in the preseason.”
The jamboree schedule was compacted due to the brutal heat that had actual temperatures in the upper 90-degrees range and “feel like” temperatures in the 105 to 109 range.
The start time was actually pushed back from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. because of the heat. It was delayed another half hour due to the wet bulb protocol.
The other scrimmages saw Carvers Bay beat Laurence Manning Academy 7-3, East Clarendon top Williamsburg Academy 28-0, Lakewood beat Cross 13-7, Richland Northeast beat Crestwood 13-7 and Scott’s Branch top Lee Central 21-0.
“I’m glad we got it in,” said Kennedy, who is the athletic director for Clarendon County School District. “I thank FTC for putting it on every year. I think it’s a good event. It’s grown over the years, and I want to thank (FTC public relations director) Chip Chase and his staff for what they do for us.”
The event was held on a somber day as longtime FTC board member Bill Brewer passed earlier in the day. Brewer, a long-time supporter of sports in Clarendon County, will be remembered later in the season, according to Kennedy.
“We just want to remember Mr. Brewer for all he’s done for sports in Manning,” Kennedy said. “He will be missed.”
