Knights eyeing big finish in region play

Rob Gantt • October 9, 2024

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By Rob Gantt

Special to the HSSR

GOOSE CREEK – The Stratford High School football team fought hard in its Region 7-5A opener and nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback, but the Knights had to settle for a 30-22 loss at Berkeley High School Oct. 4 in Moncks Corner.

The Knights are the defending league champions and will try to get on track Oct. 11 at home against visiting Lucy Beckham, which moved into the region from Class 4A. They go to Cane Bay Oct. 18, host Wando Oct. 25 and Goose Creek Nov. 1.

The Berkeley loss dropped Stratford to 2-4 overall. The Knights were coming off back-to-back wins against Socastee (23-17) and Colleton County (41-14).

Junior quarterback Jachin Davis continued a strong season against the Stags, rushing for two scores and passing for another. He reached paydirt on the ground from 1 and 28 yards out and connected with senior Kerwin Squire on a 46-yard touchdown pass. Davis passed for 145 yards and finished with 108 yards on the ground.

Stratford trailed 30-12 with under two minutes left, but mounted a rally to scare the home team. Senior linebacker Javien Salters broke through to record a safety and the Davis-Squire hookup pulled the Knights within 30-22. They then got the ensuing onside kick and moved into Berkeley’s 4 before Berkeley’s interception in the end zone on the final play.

Heading into the Lucy Beckham contest, Davis has passed for 1,016 yards and rushed for 359 yards, combining for 12 touchdowns.

Squire leads the Knights on the ground with 459 yards, while junior Francis Lloyd has chipped in 230 yards rushing. Junior receiver JQ Crosby has been a reliable target for Stratford, hauling in 22 passes for 385 yards. More targets are sophomore Jayden Lee, senior Jacob Deacon, senior Freddie Alston and junior Shawn Harris.

In the win over Colleton County, Davis passed for 253 yards and four touchdowns. He connected with Crosby on three scores and Lee on the other. On the ground, Davis scored twice.

Against Socastee, Davis tossed a touchdown pass to Crosby, while senior kicker Tyler Stament made three field goals. Running back Malachi Breland also reached paydirt for the Knights.

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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.