Week 5 SCHSL/SCISA Football Honor Roll

By Billy G. Baker Publisher Kingstree - Williamsburg Academy junior running back Grant Small rushed for 272 yards on 37 carries, including a touchdown, helping lead the Stallions to a 37-20 win over Thomas Heyward, to advance to the SCISA Class A Finals against Colleton Prep. The SCISA Class A finals game will take place at South Carolina State University on Saturday November 22 at 3:30 p.m. Colleton Prep advanced with a 22-16 win over Dorchester Academy . This will be the 5 th year in a row the Stallions have made it to a SCISA state finals game. They made the SCISA AA finals in 2021, losing to Hilton Head Christian . They won the AA title in 2022 with a win over Colleton Prep . In 2023, they lost to Bethesda Academy in the AA finals. In 2024, they competed in the SCISA Class A finals and lost to Thomas Heyward . In school history, the Stallions have won two state football titles, the other one was in 2013 against Colleton Prep also. They have won 13 regions titles in school history also. After the big win over the Rebels, head WA coach Will Furse shared his thoughts on the win. “It feels great right now, and this is what you want to strive for when the season begins, and at our school competing for a state championship is always a goal, and while we try not to think about it too much, it is always in the back of our minds,” said Coach Furse. “We still have a lot of work to do in preparing to play for Colleton Prep because they are a really good team,” said Coach Furse. “We have our hands full competing against them this week.” Coach Furse was pleased with the effort of Small, who came into the game with over 1,600 yards to his credit. “Grant ran hard and he has been very consistent from game-to-game this season, and he does a great job of understanding the blocking schemes of our offensive line and I have to give them praise also,” said Coach Fuse. “We have really good linemen like Mason Cribb at left tackle, Sammy Tomlinson at left guard, Poppy Livingston is at center, Connor Morris and Michael Ard take turns at right guard, and Marlin Morris plays at right tackle. “Our tight ends also block extremely well,” said Coach Fuse. “Those guys are Charlie Caulder , Jay Kellahan and Seth Cherinko also plays there. “We also have some excellent assistant coaches who work with these guys on offense,” said Coach Fuse. “ Ken Kellahan is our offensive line coach and John Floyd works with our tight ends, and they have done a good job developing our blocking schemes on offense.” Coach Fuse also praised the play of senior quarterback Micah Balder who has been on the team for four years. “Micah can do anything we ask him to do, and he is a tremendous passer,” said Coach Fuse. “He also runs the option well and he makes good reads.” Caulder, a junior wing caught a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone against Thomas Heyward and Coach Fuse said that “he is a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses.” The defense has allowed teams just over 13 points a game this season. Ard, a junior MLB, leads the Stallions defense coming into the game with THA with 114 tackles, including three sacks. Kellahan, a senior OLB, was next on the index with 76 tackles, followed by Caulder, an OLB with 52 tackles and 13 TFL along with junior FS Hall Dukes who came into the game with THA with 39 tackles and a team leading five interceptions. Balder had 38 tackles and two picks after 10 games. Junior OLB Seth Cherinko and soph DB Lane Patrick each had 35 tackles after 10 games followed by nose guard Marlon Morris who had 31 tackles and three TFL. Soph DB Gamble Wilson had 28 tackles and four picks after 10 games. Freshman DB Caden Morris , a top catching prospect in baseball, had 29 tackles and one pick while Tomlinson, a junior DL, had 26 tackles and two TFL. Soph FS Weston McKenzie contributed 15 tackles and one TFL coming into the THA game. Thomas Heyward head coach Daniel Bryan told the HSSR after game. “I am 100 per cent proud of my boys from start to finish this season,” he said. “We are 180 degrees better from where we were when we started the season. “We are going to miss a group of hard-working seniors like Tony O’Banner , Dodge Peeples, Josh Gibson, Jayden Powell and Miles Stanley, who played a bunch of football for us the past few years,” said Coach Bryan. “We had 12 total seniors on the team. The others are Mackie Bowers, Drew Willis, Jace Bessinger, Tyler Hymon, Owen Palazzo, Antonio Grether, Tanner Reed, and our first- year senior who played well is Mackie Bowers. “I thought we hung with them until the fourth quarter until we took some shots that didn’t work out and that is what you try to do once you get behind,” said Coach Bryan. “I was proud of the effort of my players, but it just didn’t work out fore us tonight.” O’Banner, a highly regarded RB scored on a 55-yard touchdown in the game, and he finished off a five-year career with around 7,000 total rushing yards and over 100 touchdowns scored. Thomas Heyward led 6-0 early in the game when Josh Gibson returned the opening kick-off for an 88- yard score. Gibson scored a second TD on an 80- yard run and O’Banner’s 55-yard sprint down the Stallion sideline accounted for the Rebel’s three scores and 20 total points all in the first half. After the Rebel’s scored on the opening kick-off the Stallions answered on their first drive marching 61 yards in 8 plays with Balder scoring on a keeper from seven yards out. The PAT failed and the score was tied at six with 8:22 left in the first quarter.  By half-time, WA held a 22-20 lead as RB Eli Brown scored from one-yard with 5:20 left in the second period and Caulder caught a two-point conversion pass that put WA up 14-6 at the time. Caulder caught a five-yard touchdown pass with three seconds left in the first half, and Caden Morris caught a two-point conversion pass that gave the Stallions the lead for good, 22-20 at the break. In the second half WA got a five-yard rushing TD from Small, and he also ran in a two-point conversion to put the Stallions up 30-20 with 7:43 left in the third period. WA scored their final touchdown of the game on a pass from Balder to Caulder in the back of the end zone with 4:12 left in the game. Small ran in the two-point conversion to make the final score 37-20. In a post-game reception in the WA cafeteria after the game, several players were interviewed about the win, and the upcoming state championship game. Grant Small said, “I run hard and follow my blocking and when I make contact with the defense I turned my pads into them. I like the spin move, but I do not know if it is necessary. I also like to hurdle over tacklers. I will be running the 400 meters this Spring in track. The win was great tonight, but we must finish it this week at SC State.” Micah Balder : “I have been on the varsity for four years and this being my senior year it would be great to go out with a state championship. We were really concerned about this game tonight, and we prepared really hard for it. I have a good offensive line, good receivers, and it helps that we can run or pass on about every play.” Connor Morris : “I have worked hard in the weight room, and I am benching around 475 now. This is my second year on the varsity, and I enjoy playing with my younger brother. This was a great win tonight, but our focus now is on our gamer Friday night. We are going to leave it all on the field I promise you.” Note: Due to extreme loudness in the room (celebrations) several other interviews could not be transcribed coherently.

Senior quarterback Max Stafford threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another Nov. 14 during Summerville’s playoff win over Ashley Ridge. Photo by Roger Lee.

QB Connor Dantzler passes for 4 TDs, runs for 2 to lead Trojans to AAAAA DII quarterfinals

Dillon – Dillon High School led 35-0 at halftime on the way to a 42-7 victory over Silver Bluff in the second round of the AAA state playoffs on Friday at the DHS stadium. The Wildcats, who improved to 9-3 on the season, will go on the road to face defending state champion Oceanside Collegiate Academy in the quarterfinals on November 21. Silver Bluff finished 7-5. Khayel Sam Fong-Talia completed 11 of 16 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Wildcats. He also ran for 55 yards on six carries. Wide receiver Zamaurious Robertson had the two TD receptions among his eight catches for 108 yards. Daniel Capehart rushed for three touchdowns and 44 yards on six carries. Dillon’s other touchdown came on a 45-yard interception return by D’Vontae McClam . He also had three tackles, including two tackles for a loss. Keryien Brown had eight tackles, two TFLs and one quarterback sack. Malachi Nelson had 11 tackles. Manning 46 Timberland 24 Manning – Jontavious Canty ran for 233 yards and three touchdowns as Manning reached the quarterfinals of the AA state playoffs with a 46-24 victory over Timberland at Ramsey Stadium . The Monarchs, who improved to 9-3, will play host to Hampton County on November 21. THS finished the year at 9-3. Quarterback Lovell Stevenson completed 7 of 10 passes for 67 yards and a score while rushing for 29 yards on six carries. CJ Robinson had three catches for 38 yards and a TD. Lovon Stevenson ran for a score and had two catches for 28 yards. Defensively, Robinson returned an interception 76 yards for a touchdown. Ethan Lowder was the leading tackler with 15. Lovon Stevenson had nine tackles, Jontavious Canty had eight tackles, and Dontavious Canty had seven. Antaun Faison had 31 carries for 195 yards and two TDs to lead Timberland. Montez Addison had five carries for 55 yards, and Malyk Goodman threw a 20-yard TD pass to Carter Hawkins . Addison led the defense with an interception. Hawkins led in tackles with nine, while Eric Roberts , Caylen Jones and Javion Jenkins had eight tackles apiece. Dutch Fork 42 Boiling Springs 7 Irmo – Dutch Fork scored 21 points in the first quarter and rolled to a 42-7 victory over Boiling Springs at Dutch Fork Stadium in the second round of the AAAAA Division I state playoffs. The Silver Foxes, the defending state champions, improved to 9-1 and will play host to Byrnes in the quarterfinals on November 21. Boiling Springs finished 5-7. Quarterback Jaxon Knotts completed 22 of 29 passes for 311 yards and three scores and also ran for a score. Kye Fulton had five catches for 119 yards and a score, Chase Betts had five catches for 57 yards and a score, and Brayden Johnson had six catches for 58 yards. Wyatt Warner had a 27-yard TD catch. Charlie Howell rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown on nine carries an had two catches for 20 yards. Kyle Henry ran for a score. Julian Walk er led the Dutch Fork defense with 3 ½ TFLs, 2 ½ sacks and six tackles. Mario Anderson and TJ Gibson each had an interception. Boiling Springs’ only touchdown was a 38-yard pass from Imri Logan to Jaylen Kelley. Ta’mi’jay Brown led the BS defense with seven tackles and a TFL. TJ Collins had four tackles, a sack and a TFL. Clinton 35 Saluda 25 Clinton – Clinton trailed 25-21 entering the fourth quarter but scored 14 points to come away with a 35-25 victory over Saluda in the second round of the AA state playoffs at Wilder Stadium . The Red Devils, the defending state champions, improved to 9-3. They will play host to Fairfield Central in a quarterfinal game on November 21. The Tigers finished 6-6. Javen Cook led CHS by rushing for 236 yards and four TDs on 20 carries. Rhett Gilliam scored the other touchdown and had 39 yards on nine carries. Brayden Williams led SHS by completing 13 of 24 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns. He ran for the other score and 98 yards on 14 carries. CJ Springs caught all three TD passes, finishing with five catches for 137 yards. Lane Ashley had 36 yards on four catches, and Ceddion Springs had four catches for 27 yards, Tristan Daniels ran for 74 yards on 14 carries an caught two passes for 24 yards. Stratford 40 River Bluff 33 Goose Creek – Stratford survived a wild fourth quarter to come away with a 40-33 triumph over River Bluff in a second-round game in the AAAAA Division I state playoffs at the SHS field. The Knights, who improved to 10-1, will play host to James Island in a quarterfinal game on November 21. River Bluff finished 6-6 Stratford led 26-20 entering the final stanza. The Gators took the lead at 27=26 before Meliq McGowan scored on a 4-yard run then added the 2-point conversion to put SHS up 34-27. RBHS matched the touchdown to pull within a point. It went for two but didn’t get it. J’Qwan Crosby caught a 50-yard TD pass from Jachin Davis to make it 40-33. McGowan rushed for 258 yards and three TDs on 21 carries, while Davis rushed for 112 yards and another score on 13 carries. Davis completed 9 of 15 passes for 132 yards and a score. Crosby had two catches for 74 yards. Northwestern 42 Catawba Ridge 7 Rock Hill – Northwestern led just 6-0 at halftime but scored 29 points in the third quarter to go on to a 42-7 victory over Catawba Ridge at District 3 Stadium in the second round of the AAAAA Division II state playoffs. The Trojans, the defending state champions, improved to 10-1. They will play host to Gaffney in a quarterfinal game on November 21. NHS’ Kameron Vance returned the second half kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, and Amarian Coleman ran for the 2-point conversion to make it 14-0. Xavier Means completed 18 of 27 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Trojans. He ran for 28 yards and a TD. Nigel Smith rushed for 96 yards on 17 carries. Vance had five catches for 55 yards while running for a touchdown. Payton Vining had four catches for 52 yards and a score, and David Flood had two catches for 41 yards and a TD. Alex Bendt had field goals of 32 and 21 yards for all of Northwestern’s first-half points. Coleman had 5 ½ tackles and an interception to lead the defense. Kameri McFadden had 5 ½ tackles and two TFLs, and Jayden Baxter had four tackles and a pick. Mark Blakeney rushed for 96 yards on six carries to lead CR. Will Gambrill completed 12 of 31 passes for 121 yards and a score. Isaiah Thomas caught two passes for 48 yards and the TD, while Colten McCauley had four catches for 56 yards. Loris 56 Orangeburg-Wilkinson 20 Loris – Loris remained undefeated with a 56-20 victory over Orangeburg-Wilkinson in the second round of the AAA state playoffs at the LHS field. The Lions, who improved to 12-0, will go on the road to face Newberry , which is also 12-0, in the quarterfinals on November 21. O-W finished 10-2. Deuce Stephens ran for 252 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries. Quarterback Moon Gerald completed 10 of 20 passes for 97 yards and two TDs while rushing for 56 yards on eight carries. Mykhai Bell had two catches for 28 yards and a score, Roberick Purcha had three catches for 17 yards and a score and two carries for 30 yards. Khalid Sherman had three catches for 23 yards and four carries for 20 yards. Loris also scored two defensive touchdowns, Bell recovering a fumble in the end zone and Sherman returning an interception for 46 yards. Brendan Peoples ran for two of the Bruins’ touchdowns and passed for the other. He completed 15 of 29 passes for 161 yards. Daylin Haltiwanger had five catches for 45 yards and a TD, while Lamarques Hodges had four catches for 61 yards.

Lewisville ousts defending Class A state champion Abbeville; Hammond's 8-year title run ended

The Championship Games are set and teams are getting ready to via for the final round of their run for the state title. There is no better way to cap off a Championship season than showing support for your team with an advertisement that highlights your commitment to supporting the team in a quest for the championship. 

Dillon senior Dillon WR Zay Robertson (6-0, 165) is committed to the University of North Carolina.

Larry Gamble HSSR, Photography Editor  Bennettsville — Sumner McLaurin is a senior who plays volleyball and soccer at Marlboro Academy . McLaurin said she started playing volleyball in the seventh grade, which is her favorite sport, and she also began playing soccer in the 9 th grade. Being a two-sport student athlete, McLaurin said,” My favorite part is being on a team with friends.” After high school, she plans to focus on education, and she will pursue a degree in health sciences. Her first choice for college is Clemson and possibly playing at the club sport level. Taking two classes from two schools, plus sports, she had this to say about making it work; “It helps me with planning my study time, and practice time,” she said. “Taking online courses from the “NETC” helped me to develop my time management skills.” McLaurin’s has done well managing academics and athletics in her life and she currently carries a 5.220 GPA. For all her athletic and academic accomplishments, McLaurin has been chosen the “NETC” Female Student Athlete of the Month.” This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation. The “NETC” is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve. Currently, McLaurin is enrolled in two dual credit online courses offered by NETC. She started taking classes in her junior year. She has already completed many basic requirements for her freshman year of college like Spanish and English. She says she took Music Appreciation first to get an idea about the online learning experience. When asked about how the “NETC” experience helped prepare her for the next step in her education, she said, “Taking NETC classes helped my communications skills with my professors, and introduced me to the stricter schedule of college and to complete the work on time. “The class experience with NETC was good and I have really good professors,” said McLaurin. “They helped me learn how to prepare my assignments, follow the discussion boards, and improve my ability to communicate at the college level. By taking these NETC online classes I will be well ahead towards my major in college.” With all the demands for her time, between academics, sports, plus family and friends, McLaurin said, “Setting priorities is a must; school first, Marlboro Academy classes, practice, NETC classes are next, then making time for family and friends. It helps that a lot of my friends are on the volleyball team.” Nearly have way through her senior year, McLaurin was asked to reflect on a memorable moment she had experienced in sports. “At senior night, we played Lee Academy, and the game was about the great teamwork and friends on the team. I really enjoyed the camaraderie and sportsmanship of team play this season.”

Larry Gamble HSSR, Photography Editor Bennettsville — Beckham Jacobs is a senior four-sport athlete at Marlboro Academy, where he earned all-region honors and All State honors this past baseball season. He just finished competing at the SCISA State Cross Country meet and he also played on the boys Volleyball team. He is looking forward to the start of basketball season, and in the Spring, he will participate in baseball. As a student athlete, he ran on the Marlboro Academy Cross Country team this year, played on the inaugural boys’ volleyball team, and looks forward to the basketball season. In the Spring, baseball will close out his high school athletic career. When asked about a favorite sport, Jacobs said, “Baseball is my favorite since I starting played T-Ball when I was big enough to swing a bat,” he said. Last season he earned All Region and All State honors playing baseball. “This was our first year having a boys volleyball team and that was fun also.” In terms of the opportunity to play baseball at the next level, Jacobs replied, “If the opportunity arises that would be great.” In the classroom, he carries a 4.5 GPA, and he plans to major in Electrical Engineering at the University of South Carolina.  For all his athletic and academic accomplishments, Jacobs has been chosen the “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month.” This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation. The” NETC” is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2025-26 school year to students in the three counties they serve. Jacobs is currently enrolled in two dual credit online courses offered by NETC. He started taking classes after a conversation with his sister who took advantage of the NETC program when she was in high school. “She recommended I can take classes now, for dual credit, because I’ll have to take them at some point,” said Jacobs. He plans to continue taking dual credit classes next semester, and has already completed English 101 and 102, plus a Personal Finance class and Public Speaking. When asked about managing his time to be successful academically and in sports, Jacobs had this to say; “Time management can be hectic, but you just have to plan ahead and stick to you your schedule,” he said. “With so many time commitments between school, sports, and having a social life, time management is very important. “It may look a little hectic, but plan ahead and take it as it comes,” said Jacobs. “This way, you can stay ahead.” He went on to say this about the classes he’s taken, “Hopefully, this will knock out a few freshman classes, and the Public Speaking is really helping me with my ability to communicate. “Taking online courses through the “NETC” I feel like I am being prepared for what my actual experiences could be once I get to college,” said Jacobs. “I am really enjoying the two online courses I am involved with right now, and I plan on taking two more online courses from the “NETC” next semester.” Getting back to sports, when asked about a favorite memory, Jacobs noted that even with baseball as his favorite sport, the standout memory is this year’s Cross Country meet, partly because he last ran Cross Country in the sixth grade and did not have any expectations for this season. He noted, “In the state championship, I wasn’t expecting this, but I posted a personal best for the three-mile with a 16th place time of 20.50 time. That was special for me to do that at State.”