OCA Advances in AAA Playoffs with Win Over Dillon

David Shelton • December 1, 2024

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OCA's Sophomore QB Aiden Manavian threw for over 200 yards and 3 TDs in the win over Dillon.

By: David Shelton

HSSR Senior Writer

Charleston - The defending Class AA state champions from Oceanside Collegiate are making a run at the Class AAA title in 2024.

The Landsharks moved a step closer to their goal on Friday night, knocking off perennial state title contender Dillon, 28-21, at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

Oceanside Collegiate won their seventh straight game and improved to 9-3 on the season. The Landsharks will travel to Loris next Friday night.

“Every week the competition gets tougher so we will have to play better to advance,” OCA interim head coach John Patterson said. “We did some good things tonight but we also had some mistakes that allowed them to get back into the game. We have to clean some things up.”

Sophomore quarterback Aiden Manavian threw for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns and Will Virgilio scored three times to lead the way offensively for the Landsharks.

Things started badly for the Landsharks as they muffed a short kick on the opening kickoff. Dillon took advantage with a 30-yard scoring drive, taking a 7-0 lead on Rahmond Hamilton’s 12-yard pass to Jamarion King with 10:18 to play in the first.

It was all OCA for the rest of the first half. Manavian threw three touchdown passes and totaled more than 170 yards in the first two quarters. Manavian connected with Peyton Shaw on a 36-yard pass to tie the game with 9:22 remaining in the first period.

A pass interception by Jack Wattie set the OCA offense up at the Dillon 10 and Will Virgilio scored on a four-yard run for a 14-7 lead, still with 7:01 left in the opening quarter.

A three-yard pass from Manavian to James O’Connor made it 21-7 with 7:44 left in the second, then combined with Virgilio on a 26-yard score to push the halftime score to 28-7.

Dillon was the more inspired team in the third quarter, taking their first possession downfield and getting a 22-yard touchdown pass from Hamilton to Fling to cut the lead to 28-14. The Wildcats then forced a three-and-out and regained possession near midfield after a punt. OCA’s defense, however, held on four downs.

The Landsharks appeared to be headed for another score later in the third but the drive ended in a fumble. Dillon immediately answered with a 52-yard touchdown run by Fling with 1:26 left in the third, cutting the lead to 28-21.

Midway through the fourth, the OCA defense came up huge, stopping Dillon on fourth down from the OCA two-yard line to preserve the lead.

OCA ran out the final 4:51 off the clock, converting three times on third down, to close out the win.

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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.