Hammond the hunter as it takes on defending SCISA AAAA champ Northwood

   Sumter -- The Hammond football team will be doing something on Friday it has never done before: face off against the defending SCISA AAAA state champion.

    That’s because in the first three years of the existence of a AAAA classification, the Skyhawks had been the only champions. In fact, they hadn’t faced a defending state champion from their own class since 2017 since they won five straight AAA crowns before the advent of AAAA.

    That comes to an end though when Hammond hops on Interstate 26 and travels to the Lowcountry to face defending AAAA champion Northwood Academy.

    Although the Skyhawks fell to Heathwood Hall in the semifinals of the state playoffs last season, they did lose to the Chargers 23-10 in the regular season, Thus, the revenge factor is certainly there.

“Our players are handling it just fine so far, coming to work every day,” Hammond head coach Jon Wheeler said about how his team is handling being the ones doing the chasing this season. “I think motivation is there for sure by the way they are coming to work each day.”

The Skyhawks, who have won state titles in 10 of the past 12 seasons, are off to a 5-0 start and are ranked second in the High School Sports Report SCISA AAAA poll. They have outscored the opposition 220-34.

NA is 4-1 and ranked third. It opened the season with a 60-28 loss to defending AA state champion Bethesda Academy. Since then, it has outscored its foes 155-70.

Northwood head coach Johnny Waters believes his team is starting to come together.

“We are starting to gel together,” Waters said. “At the start of the season for the first couple of games we had a lot of players out due to injuries. We have been getting them back.

“Also, we have put the whole defending (champion) thing behind us. That was last year. That was some of our problem early.”

The Skyhawks have a balanced offensive attack, leaning toward the run. They are rushing for 178.0 yards per game while passing for 114.4.

Senior Blaze Barnes leads a balanced rushing attack with 313 yards and five touchdowns on 39 carries. Sophomore Caden Young is the second leading rusher with 234 yards and two scores on 17 carries. Sophomore Mikel Corbett has 192 yards and three TDs on 36 totes.

Sophomore quarterback Cade Amell has completed 49 of 71 passes for 572 yards and eight touchdowns against no interceptions. His favorite target is Young, who has 17 catches for 206 yards and three scores. Senior Wham Walker has 12 receptions for 136 yards and two TDs.

“I feel the team is performing pretty well so far at this point but must continue to improve each day and week,” Wheeler said. “It is (playing) close to our expectations, which is to just do their best as consistently as possible.”

The Chargers are passing for 213.4 yards and rushing for 137.2. Leading the passing attack is senior quarterback Kevin Johnson. He has completed 65 of 116 passes for 1,053 yards and 14 touchdowns against five interceptions.

Senior wide receiver Drew Wolfe is Johnson’s primary target, averaging 117.6 yards. He has 25 catches for 588 yards and 10 scores. Junior Scott Geisel has 20 receptions for 215 yards and one TD, while freshman Tourance Johnson has 11 catches for 119 yards.

Senior Michael Polite is doing most of the work in the backfield, averaging 118.8 yards a game. He has 583 yards and seven scores on 107 carries.

“I feel like the guys are excited about the opportunity,” Waters said. “It should be a great atmosphere Friday night!”

    Northwestern (3-1) at South Pointe (2-1)

    Northwestern and South Pointe are both reigning state champions, NHS claiming the AAAAA Division II crown last season and the Stallions the AAAA title. However, this showdown rates just slightly below those titles because they’re battling to see who is the top dog in the city of Rock Hill along with Rock Hill High.

    The 3-1 Trojans are ranked fifth in the HSSR AAAAA poll, while 2-1 SPHS is ranked fourth in AAAA. South Pointe’s loss came to Rock Hill, the No. 2 team in AAAAA, by a 26-3 count. The Bearcats and Northwestern will do battle in the regular-season finale.

    Northwestern is coming off of a 67-21 demolition of previously undefeated Berkeley. It was led by senior quarterback Xavier Means, who accounted for four touchdowns. Means, an East Carolina commitment, completed 17 of 19 passes for 149 yards and two scores while rushing for 76 yards and two more TDs.

His top target was Malik Ratliff, who is currently committed to Coastal Carolina. Ratliff caught six passes for 39 yards and a TD. However, his biggest contribution may have come via the return game. He had over 200 yards while returning a total of nine kickoffs and punts.

South Pointe rolled to easy wins in its first two games, beating Region 3-AAAA foes Nation Ford and Lake Wylie 56-0 and 49-7, respectively.

The Stallions have a stout defense led by senior end Seth Tillman, a Clemson commitment. A pair of juniors, linebacker Jamil Watson and safety Micah Walker, both hold Power 4 conference offers. Also, sophomore running back Rasean Brown holds multiple Power 4 offers.

Dorman (4-0) at Sumter (3-2)

    Dorman will try to complete a gauntlet of a non-region schedule undefeated with a road trip to the Midlands to face 3-2 Sumter before tackling an even greater task in Region 2-AAAAA.

    The Cavaliers, 4-0 and ranked fourth in AAAAA, are coming off a 20-14 win over Irmo, ranked first in AAAA after playing for the AAAAA Division 2 title the past two seasons. The other wins were over AAAAA Hillcrest, AAAAA No. 6 Byrnes and AAAA No. 2 Gaffney.

    Next week, DHS begins play in a region that had three teams undefeated heading into this week in Fort Mill, Boiling Springs and Rock Hill along with 2-time defending state champion Northwestern and perennial Upstate power Spartanburg.

    An interception by DHS’ Judah Adams at his 19-yard line in the final minute helped send the Irmo game into overtime at 14-14. A key pass breakup by Tylan Edwards in the end zone forced the Yellow Jackets to attempt a field goal, which they missed. The Cavaliers scored on a 10-yard run by Nick Means in their overtime possession to get the win.

    The Gamecocks are coming off of a 55-26 loss to AAAAA No. 1 Dutch Fork. They rely primarily on a rushing attack led by freshman Jamarion Witherspoon. He is averaging 153.0 yards per game with 612 yards and eight touchdowns on 56 carries.

    Senior Reggie Shannon is also averaging over 100 yards a contest with 450 yards and seven scores on 84 attempts. Senior quarterback Franklin Richardson, who has Power 4 offers mainly as a running back, has been limited with injuries. He did run for 86 yards and two touchdowns against Dutch Fork.

Gaffney (3-1) at Byrnes (3-1)

This is another one of those old Region 2-AAAA matchups we’ve been talking about the past two weeks. Gaffney is 3-1 and ranked second in AAAA despite coming off a 24-16 loss to Dorman. Byrnes is 4-1 and ranked sixth in AAAAA.

Senior Amire White leads an Indian rushing attack that is averaging 214 yards. He has 288 yards and two touchdowns on 47 carries. Senior Kendaris Bailey has 255 yards and five scores on 34 carries.

Senior quarterback Corey Taylor has completed 38 of 61 passes for 455 yards and three TDs.

The Rebels are coming off a 49-21 victory over Spartanburg, another old Region 2 rival. Senior running back Tre Segarra, a Louisiana State commitment, rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Junior Kylik Wilkie had 80 yards, and senior Jacobi Fuller had 36 yards and a score.

Senior quarterback Gideon Merhib completed 15 of 20 passes for 268 yareds and three touchdowns while rushing for 40 yards on five carries. Junior Adrian Harris had the two TD catches for a total of 79 yards. Senior Nicqlous Watson had seven catches for 79 yards and a touchdown, while junior Mason Stevens had two catches for 88 yards.

    Saluda (3-1) at Emerald (4-1)

    Saluda and Emerald will close out their non-region schedule with a game that has all the makings of a shootout. SHS, 3-1 and ranked seventh in AA, is averaging 46.5 points. The Vikings, 4-1 and ranked fourth in AAA, are averaging an even 44 points.

    EHS is coming off of its first loss of the season, dropping a 31-21 decision to AAAAA Lexington. It is led by junior quarterback Beau Hite. He has completed 70 of 106 passes for 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 251 yards and one score on 24 carries.

    The leading rusher is junior Jamerion Moore. He has 579 yards and 12 TDs on 69 carries. Juniors Desiray Christian Jr., Coleson Marino and Keirion Brown are the leading receivers. Christian has 23 receptions for 379 yards and three touchdowns, Marino has 19 catches fo4 309 yards and four scores, and Brown has 16 grabs for 285 yards and three TDs.

    After losing to Abbeville 35-33 in its season opener, the Tigers have blasted Batesburg-Leesville, Ninety Six and Chester. They scored at least 48 points in each game. The most recent was a 49-3 triumph over Chester.

Tristan Daniels led the Tigers by rushing for 147 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries. That gives him 524 yards and eight touchdowns on 62 carries.

Danny Johnson had 47 yards and a TD on six carries. Avery Coyle threw two scoring passes, one a 49-yader to Daniels and the other 22 yards to Ceddion Springs.

The other touchdown came on a 67-yard kickoff return by Jaylen Bledsoe.

Carvers Bay (4-1) at Johnsonville (4-1)

    Although Carvers Bay and Johnsonville will be competing for different state titles, they are battling for the same region championship. And the Region 9-Class A opener for both schools will very likely decide the region winner.

    CBHS is 4-1 and ranked sixth in the HSSR Class A Division I poll. The Golden Flashes are also 4-1 and ranked fifth in the Class A Division II poll.

    The Bears, coming off a 12-1 season, suffered their only loss to Atlantic Collegiate Academy by a 25-13 count. JHS, which won nine games last season, lost to Lake View 30-28 in its season opener.

    Leading the Carvers Bay offense are quarterback Chris Simmons, wide receiver Jayshaun Ford and running back Dominique Walker.

    Larkin Powell, a 3-year starter at quarterback, leads the Johnsonville offense. Other key contributors are running back Zaghe Davis and wide receiver Jemere Ross.

    Loris (4-1) at Crestwood (3-2)

    Crestwood opened its Region 6-AAA schedule with a 36-8 win over previously undefeated and eighth-ranked Aynor. The 3-2 Knights get a chance to take down another ranked opponent when they play host to No. 9 Loris in another region contest.

    The Lions come in with a 4-1 record after beating Atlantic Collegiate 48-6 in their region opener.

    This game will feature two of the top running backs in the state. For LHS, it’s senior Deuce Stephens, while senior CJ Wofford sets the tone for the CHS offense.

    Stephens has rushed for 875 yards in five games, an average of 175 a game. He has 15 touchdowns and has also caught five passes for 48 yards.

    Wofford is “only” averaging 155.8 yards. The Charlotte commitment has 779 yards and nine touchdowns on 93 carries. Wofford has seven receptions for 39 yards.

Hilton Head  Christian (4-1) at Colleton Prep (6-0)

    Colleton Prep Academy is 6-0 and is the No. 1 team in the HSSR SCISA AA poll. It has been beyond dominant, outscoring the opposition 270-20 in the five games it has played (it won one by forfeit).

    The War Hawks will easily be facing their biggest challenge of the season in Hilton Head Christian Academy. HHCA is ranked second in SCISA AAA and 4-1 on the season.

    CPA quarterback Cale Owens is off to a phenomenal start. He has passed for 1,178 yards and 18 touchdowns despite having thrown only 65 passes. He is averaging 23.7 yards on his 50 completions and has yet to throw an interception.

    Colleton Prep has four receivers in double figures in catches. Senior Thomas Corbett has 15 catches for 465 yards and six scores, senior Hartman Fisk has 14 receptions for 245 yards and seven TDs, senior Charlie Walker has 12 catches for 280 yards and four touchdowns, and sophomore Kaiden Kinard has 10 receptions for 255 yards and three scores.

    Owens is the leading rusher with 187 yards and five TDs on 24 carries.

    The Eagles are coming off of their first loss of the season, a 49-35 decision to defending AAA state champion Pinewood Prep, currently ranked second in the AAAA poll. However, that was their lowest point total in the five games.

    Senior quarterback Kres Langhals has had a tremendous first half as well. He has thrown for 1,172 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 60 of 100 passes. He’s also rushed for 384 yards and six more scores on 58 carries.

    Hilton Head Christian’s top receivers are seniors Jackson Richardson and Joseph Houpt. Richardson has 21 catches for 469 yards and six touchdowns, while Houpt has 16 catches for 237 yards and five scores. Junior Sam Strum also has 11 catches for 231 yards and three TDs.