Wilson Hall to face First Baptist for opportunity to reach SCISA AAA title game for 4th straight season

Wilson Hall facing First Baptist in AAA semis

By Dennis Brunson

hssr.com Associate Editor

Sumter – There was no complacency for the Wilson Hall football team in its first-round game of the SCISA AAA state playoffs against Spartanburg Christian Academy on November 6 at Spencer Field.

The Barons, who beat SCA 63-35 in the regular season, dominated from the get-go this time around. WH led 13-0 after one quarter and pushed the advantage to 35-0 at halftime on the way to a 49-0 triumph.

Wilson Hall, which has been the AAA state runner-up for three consecutive seasons, will be looking for a fourth straight trip to Charleston Southern University’s Buccaneer Field in North Charleston on November 21. To get there though, the Barons will have to knock off First Baptist in a home semifinal game on November 13.

“It was a good night for us,” said WH head coach Adam Jarecki, whose team is now 8-3 on the season. “The defense played really well. I’m very proud of the way we responded and took care of our business.”

The Barons, who led by just one point in the third quarter of the previous meeting, took away any thoughts of an SCA upset very quickly.

On the second play from scrimmage, the Barons’ Shep Vincent went 40 yards for a touchdown. A 53-yard scoring run by Harian Hughey less than two minutes later made it 13-0 and the race was on.

 Vincent needed just three carries to pick up 111 yards and score twice while pulling in a 44-yard reception as well. Hughey had 90 yards and a touchdown on eight carries while adding a 35-yard touchdown catch. Jack Gratz had three carries for 54 yards and a score.

Quarterback Nolan Gooch finished 4 of 6 passing the ball for 141 yards and two touchdowns while adding 28 yards on the ground. Blaine Batt caught two passes for 62 yards.

The Baron defense was dominant. WH came up with two turnovers, one an interception by Griffin Jones and the other a fumble recovery by Luke Still.

Peyton Gilley led the team with six tackles and a tackle for a loss. Michael Hunter added five stops. Reese Wilson, Braelen Lewis and Landon Young each had a TFL, while Wyatt Meyers added a quarterback sack.

Wilson Hall will be facing First Baptist for the first time this season. The Hurricanes are 9-2 after beating Northside Christian Academy 57-35 in the first round. The Barons beat NCA 34-9 in the regular-season finale to clinch its region title.

“They’re very good, very explosive,” Jarecki said of First Baptist. “They can make big plays and have a lot of athletes who can score a lot of points quickly. They’ll be a big challenge for us.”