By Thomas Grant Jr.
It took just one week for the Region 4-5A standings to experience a shakeup.
Newly-ranked River Bluff was one of three teams to go undefeated in non-region play. It remained that way after last Friday as the Gators defeated defending region champion White Knoll 24-21 in overtime.
River Bluff jumped out to a 21-7 lead led by Hayden Myers who rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown. The Timberwolves rallied back behind quarterback Landon Sharpe who rushed for two touchdowns to force overtime.
White Knoll had the first possession, but Sharpe was intercepted by Nathan Shuman. The Gators took over and got a game-winning field goal by Tripp Bryant for the victory.
River Bluff (6-0, 1-0) next travels to Irmo (6-0, 1-0) in a matchup which could give the winner either outright or a share of first place. The other contest with first-place ramifications is a rematch of last year’s Class 5A final between defending state champion Dutch Fork and White Knoll.
The Timberwolves won the regular season meeting with the Silver Foxes 17-14. They led 6-0 in the final before Dutch Fork dominated the second half for a 21-7 win.
Lexington (4-2, 0-1) is involved with a third Region 4-5A matchup at Cecil Woolbright Field. The Wildcats face Chapin (4-2, 0-1) in a ‘must-win’ contest for both teams coming off region losses.
Lexington fell 34-8 to Irmo as it committed three turnovers, including an interception return for a touchdown by Matthew Blocker. The lone touchdown came on a 39-yard touchdown pass by Brennon Carter to Zareth Owens and a 2-point conversion.
The Eagles are coming off a 63-10 loss to Dutch Fork.
Pushes Season Back a Week
As schools recover from the damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene, the South Carolina High School League has agreed to adjust the remaining schedule.
A 9-4 vote by the Executive Committee approved the decision to extend the regular season by one week. This means the playoffs will begin Nov. 15 and the state championship games will take place Dec. 12-14 at South Carolina State University.
In addition, the Touchstone Energy Bowl in Myrtle Beach will now take place the same day as the Shrine Bowl in Spartanburg on Dec. 21.
Among the schedule changes locally has seen Lexington move its Oct. 25 with White Knoll game to Nov. 1 and the season-finale versus River Bluff to Nov. 8.
With schools in Aiken County closed following Hurricane Helene, several Lake schools found themselves with unplanned byes prior to the SCHSL’s decision.
Batesburg-Leesville, Gilbert, Saluda and American Leadership Academy were all idle this past Friday. Here is the revised schedule:
(Thursday’s Game)
Saluda at Pelion 7 p.m.
(Friday’s Games)
American Leadership Academy at Strom Thurmond 7:30 p.m.
Gilbert at Aiken 7:30 p.m.
Ninety-Six at Batesburg-Leesville 7:30 p.m.
Lexington at Chapin 7:30 p.m.
River Bluff at Irmo 7:30 p.m.
White Knoll at Dutch Fork 7:30 p.m.
FOOTBALL HONORS
White Knoll defensive back Devin Geronomi was selected to participate in the 88th edition of the Shrine Bowl. The game will take place Dec. 21 at Spartanburg High School.
For the second straight week, White Knoll graduate Nick Taiste of South Carolina State was named the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week. He recorded an 88-percent grade on his blocking assignments with five pancake blocks en route to leading the Bulldogs to 465 yards of total offense against Tennessee Tech.
S.C. State won the game 22-20.
CLASS 5A
1.Dutch Fork, 2. Northwestern, 3. Gaffney, 4. Irmo, 5. Summerville, 6. Sumter, 7. J.L. Mann, 8. Hillcrest, 9. River Bluff, 10. Boiling Springs
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Spartanburg, Greenwood, Ashley Ridge, White Knoll
CLASS 3A
1.Belton-Honea Path, 2. Mountain View Prep, 3. Marlboro County, 4. Loris, 5. Woodruff, 6. Dillon, 7. Oceanside Collegiate, 8. Swansea, 9. Aynor, 10. Orangeburg-Wilkinson
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Keenan, Pendleton, Powdersville, Fox Creek, Newberry, Broome, St. Joseph’s,
CLASS 2A
1.Batesburg-Leesville, 2. Saluda, 3. Hampton County, 4. Clinton, 5. Fairfield Central, 6. Barnwell, 7. Strom Thurmond, 8. Andrews, 9 (tie). Manning and Chesterfield
Photos by GoFlashwin.com
