Summerville holds off Stratford challenge, 35-30

Summerville – Talent and college prospects were all over the field in Monday night’s season opener between Summerville and Stratford. It was the 44th meeting between the two schools.

The two talented rosters clashed a few days later than planned after having to postpone the scheduled game on Friday night due to heavy rains and localized flooding.

The extra three days wait fired up both teams even more and the play was as hot as the temperature.

Summerville, the second-ranked team in the AAAAA statewide poll, walked away with a 35-30 win.

The first half was akin to a prize fight as both teams stuck with jabs except for a few big plays. Stratford took the early 7-0 lead when running back Meliq McGowan threw the first hay-maker, scoring on a 84-yard pass from quarterback Jacin Davis.. McGowan is a transfer from Goose Creek and had more than 200 all-purpose yards.

After a few punts Summerville tied the game on a 28-yard run by Cam Grayson.

With 3:18 left in the first quarter, Stratford quarterback Jachin Davis scored on three-yard run, set up by a 44 yard pass to Jaden Davis. Davis had 199 yards passing in the game.

The Green Wave kept pace, tying the game at 14 after a pop pass from Max Stafford to Zion Jenkins resulted in a 21-yard touchdown. Stafford, a former Philip Simmons quarterback who prepped at IMG Academy last season, completed 11-of-14 passes for 237 yards.

The first minute of th third quarter was explosive. Summerville needed 27 seconds to take the lead with Stafford hitting Terue Davis with a 39-yard touchdown pass.

After a Summerville penalty on the score, Stratford took a short kickoff all thr way to the Summerville 20. McGowan made it hurt with a touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage to tie the game at 21.

Summerville struck quick with Jayven Williams scoring on 54-yard run with 7:20 left in the third quarter. Williams rushed for more than 100 yards in a balanced run game.

McGowan answered with 50-yard run to the Summerville 12-yard line. Davis scored from a yard out Stratford’s extra point was blocked, leaving Summerville with a 28-27 lead with 4:43 left in the third.

The Green Wave continued their offensive success, scoring a touchdown with 11:23 left in the game on Jayven Williams one-yard run. Summerville led 35-27.

The Knights answered with a field goal of 34 yards from Renzo Gorritti making the score 35-30 with 9:45 to play in the game.

After forcing a punt, Stratford was backed up to their own eight-yard line on third down with 7:13 to play. Stratford ended up punting with Summerville taking over near midfield.

A fumble by Jaiden Kelly-Murray gave the Knights a first down and a pass interference penalty moved the the Knights over midfield. Murray had 77 receiving yards and 55 yards rushing.

With 1:56 to play, Stratford faced a fourth-and-22 from the 43 and a pass fell incomplete with 1:35 remaining.

Summerville was able to run out the clock.

Williams, a top junior prospect in SC, finished the game with 162 yards rushing and 65 yards receiving. The Green Wave rolled up 521 total yards in offense.

Summerville will stay at home for Friday’s game against AAAA No. 1 ranked South Florence while Stratford travels to the upstate for a game at Daniel High.

Summerville head coach Ian Rafferty missed the game due to an SCHSL practice violation.