Undefeated Northwood Academy Hosting Undefeated & Top Ranked Hammond In SCISA Action This Week
Northwood Academy players at The HSSR Media Day in July.
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Summerville - The last time the Hammond School (5-0) lost a regular season game to a SCISA foe in South Carolina was back in 2020, when the Skyhawks lost to First Baptist, 7-6; head coached at the time by current Northwood Charger head coach Johnny Waters.
The HSSR caught up with Coach Waters as he was walking off the practice field on Wednesday, focused on his 6-0 Chargers being ready to host the Skyhawks this Friday night. “This team has a lot of the same maturity that the undefeated team had at First Baptist that beat Hammond during the Covid year back in 2020,” said Coach Waters. “These players just love to practice and while we are young in spots we have 8 or 9 seniors on this year’s team that should have college offers to play somewhere next season.”
As of Thursday night, Coach Waters said the game is still on for Friday night, as Hurricane Helene dumped a lot of rain on the state on Thursday. “We feel like the weather will break by noon on Friday and most of the rain will be behind us,” said Coach Waters. “The field will be wet for sure, but the bad weather should be out of the area.”
(Back in 2020, First Baptist was undefeated, and favored to win the SCISA AAA title, but two days before the first play-off game the Hurricanes had several players come down with Covid and by rule were forced to withdraw from the playoffs.)
To date, Northwood has defeated Beaufort Academy (42-7), Strong Brook Christian, Ga. (33-3), Pinewood Prep (24-21, First Baptist (33-0), Laurence Manning (42-6), and Ben Lippen (34-14. The combined record of their six opponents is currently 16-17.
Hammond’s five wins are over Christ Church (56-28), Pinewood Prep (48-14), Porter-Guad (28-15), Heathwood Hall (48-0) and Hilton Head Christian (55-21). Their five opponents have a combined record of 13-12.
Prior to Coach Waters coming to Northwood Academy last season, the Chargers were 3-33. They finished 6-5 last year in Coach Waters first season.
“In our first season, we had a lot of returning players and we had some players transfer to us from several area schools in the area, that helped give us depth,” said Coach Waters. “I enjoy promoting my players who have the talent and desire to play at the next level. I also enjoying visiting college games where we have former players playing.”
(On Coach Water’s office wall are the logos of over 20 colleges representing where he has had former players (22 total) go off to play at the next level.)
This year’s Northwood team is led on offense by senior quarterback Austin Grady (6-2, 190) who returned to action against Ben Lippen after sustaining a shoulder injury against Pinewood in the third game of the season. Grady has completed 48-of-64 passes for 648 yards and 8 TD’s on the season with just two interceptions to date.
While Grady was out CB MJ Davis (6-0, 180) filled in. “MJ came in and we played old-school football, powered up with power right and counter plays and kept things basic and it worked out for us until we could get Austin back,” said Coach Waters. “Austin passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns in his first game back last week. He is getting a lot of interest from several colleges.”
The running backs have been a “three horse” performance situation with junior Kaven Ford with 67 carries for 524 yards and 7 TD’s, Keshon Singleton (5-7, 175) with 59 carries for 470 yards and 10 TD’s and sophomore Michael Polite with 36 carries for 270 yards leading the ground game.
The top Charger receivers include: junior Ayden Hogan (6-1, 170) with 22 catches for 396 yards and 3 TD’s and senior Ty Washington (21-353-3 TD’s). When the Chargers use a TE, it is senior Gavin Todd.
The starting OL consists of tackles Frank Cahoon (6-3, 275) and senior Garrett Cash while the guards are seniors Jacob Harrelson (6-2, 242) and Luke Saul (6-1, 205). The center is sophomore Kaden Wagner.
“We are a 50-50 team run-pass on offense and we take a lot of pride in our defense,” said Coach Waters. “I try to not play hardly anyone both ways. We always want to have a strong defensive team with good speed to the ball.”
Coach Waters feels like the strength of his defense is in the four-deep defensive line. Senior DE Will Watts (6-4, 225) has 31 total tackles and six sacks along with DT Gabe Roper (6-3, 270) who has 33 total tackles including three sacks. Hammer White (5-10, 280) has 20 total tackles including 11 TFL and the DE is junior Garrett Andy (6-0,205).
The team starts two linebackers in top tackler Cody McClarey (5-8, 190) who has 60 total tackles, including six TFL and three sacks along with Riley Vickers who has 42 tackles and six TFL.
The four deep secondary is led by junior play-maker MJ Davis (6-0, 180) who is visiting Clemson this weekend and he has 32 tackles along with three sacks. Senior Travis Bethel (6-1, 170) has 17 tackles and three deflections, plus junior Antwan Henderson (5-7, 145), sophomore Bryce Jenkins (5-4, 130), and junior Trey Banks also see a lot of playing time in the secondary.
“MJ is our leader in the secondary and we can play him at outside linebacker, rover, spur or corner back,” said Coach Waters. “He is a D-1 prospect for sure.”
Cole McLeod (5-11, 165) is the team’s combo junior kicker.
“We start 8 underclassmen on defense, and seven underclassmen on offense,” said Coach Waters. “If we can stay healthy, we should make a good run this season and into the future.”
Hammond is head coached by Jon Wheeler.
Hammond is a senior laden team led by LSU commitment Michaelk Tyler (6-4, 235) at TE/WR who will come into the game with 18 catches for 337 yards and four TD’s. Jack Croft (5-10, 165) is a talented WR with 21 catches for 310 yards and seven TD’s.
Veteran senior QB Andrew Turner (6-1, 195) has completed 69-of-95 passes for 1,214 yards and 18 TDs for the Skyhawks and the dual threat has also rushed for 263 yards and three TD’s. At RB, senior RB Immanuel Johnson (5-10, 190) has rushed for 373 yards and six TDs averaging 7 yards per carry.
Update: The Northwood Academy vs. Hammond game originally scheduled for September 27th, is rescheduled to October 18th due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.
