By Thomas Grant Jr.
(Photo by Leonard Pressley III)
Last season is just a memory for American Leadership Academy and Pelion.
The Patriots were winless in their inaugural campaign. A loss to the Panthers enabled them to
make the post-season with two victories.
Both teams have more than turned the page this year in sporting 2-0 records.
American Leadership Academy got late-game heroics from quarterback Leonard Pressley III to
defeat Camden Military Academy 15-14. The junior accounted for both touchdowns and the
game-winning 2-point conversion catch with 50 seconds left. He also had two tackles and a pass
breakup.
The Patriots will look to go 3-0 under first-year head coach Kemper Amick against new school
Clear Dot Charter.
Pelion also has a new head coach in Corey Helms. Last Friday, it rolled past Columbia 40-8 led
by five touchdown passes by Alan Moore.
Wide receiver Daniel Atkins accounted for three touchdown receptions for the Panthers. Up
next is a matchup with fellow unbeaten and longtime Lexington County rival Swansea.
The Tigers routed Denmark-Olar 54-0 and won their first two games by a margin of 103-7.
B-L, Newberry, Saluda get lopsided victories
The second-ranked Panthers got 138 yards and four touchdowns, three rushing, from All-State running back Amadre Wooden in a 49-6 win over Wagener-Salley.
New starting quarterback Reese Boehnke completed 10-13 passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns. K.J. Whitt accounted for five receptions for 121 yards and two scores.
In Newberry, it was another big game for quarterback Kenton Caldwell. He scored four touchdowns, two rushing and two passing, in a 45-0 shutout over Mid-Carolina.
Cash Brown had two touchdowns – rushing and passing. Newberry had outscored its first two opponents 107-14, but will have a challenge this Friday when it visits top-ranked and defending Class 2A champion Clinton.
Gators get first victory for Parks
Led by Hayden Myers’ 130 rushing yards and eight tackles on defense by Josiah Robinson and Reece Huffstetler, River Bluff shut out Brookland-Cayce 23-0 on the road.
Brayden Moore threw a 12-yard touchdown to Hamp Pitts and Caleb Renwick returned an interception 21 yards for a score.
“It’s really good to see the hard work these guys put in,” River Bluff head coach Perry Parks said. “We changed a lot of stuff and we put a pretty high standard on what football looks like and to see these guys work hard and bust their butt all week – the fun’s in winning. So, to see these guys have success and to be able to build off of it is everything to me and family and these guys. I’m super-excited.”
Gilbert wins in double overtime
The fans at Leonard Price Field were treated to extra football Friday night.
Quarterback Gray Gunter scored two of his three touchdowns in overtime to lift Gilbert to a 29-28 win over Wilson.
Gunter’s first touchdown in the fourth quarter forced overtime. He then answered the Tigers’ touchdown and 2-point conversion with one of his own.
Gunter’s 1-yard keeper in the second overtime gave the Indians a 29-22 lead. Wilson scored a touchdown, but were unable to win the game with a failed 2-point conversion.
Gilbert has a bye this Friday and travels to River Bluff on Sept. 12.
While Knoll also rebounded from a Week 0 loss on the road. Running back Tiyon Fanning scored two touchdowns and the Timberwolves limited the Sumter offense in a 28-6 victory.
Over at Wildcat Stadium, the Wildcats could not replicate its winning effort against North Augusta. They fell 31-3 at home to the Yellow Jackets in the first of two straight games against Region 4-4A foes.
WEEK TWO SCHEDULE
Brookland-Cayce at White Knoll
Midland Valley at Lexington
Newberry at Clinton
Whitmire at Mid-Carolina
Nation Ford vs. River Bluff
Pelion at Swansea
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL WEEK 2
Class 5A
1. Dutch Fork (17) (1-0), 2. Northwestern (1) (2-0), 3. Irmo (2-0), 4. Gaffney (1-1), 5. Greenwood (1-0), 6. Summerville (1-1), 7. Dorman (2-0), 8. Byrnes (1-1), 9. James Island (2-0), 10. Berkeley (2-0)
Others receiving votes: Ridge View, White Knoll, Sumter, Spartanburg, Carolina Forest
Class 3A
1. Belton Honea Path (12) (2-0), 2. Woodruff (5) (2-0), 3. Dillon (1) (1-1). 4. Mountain View Prep (2-0), 5. Loris (2-0), 6. Oceanside Collegiate (0-2), 7. Newberry (2-0), 8. Orangeburg-Wilkinson (1-0), 9. Marlboro County (2-0), 10. Powdersville (1-1)
Others receiving votes: Swansea
Class 2A
1. Clinton (12) (1-1), 2. Batesburg-Leesville (5) (2-0), 3. Hampton County (1) (2-0), 4. Barnwell (2-0), 5. Strom Thurmond (2-0), 6. (tie) Fairfield Central (1-1) & Cheraw (1-1), 8. Central (2-0), 9. Chester (1-1), 10. Saluda (2-0)
Others receiving votes: Timberland, Phillip Simmons, Chesnee, Pelion
Voters this week: Mac Banks, Fort Mill Prep Sports; Lou Bezjak, The State Newspaper; Jed Blackwell, SC Prep RedZone; Cole Bryson, 97.7 The Fan Upstate; Dennis Brunson, High School Sports Report; Scott Chancey, Florence Morning News; Chris Dearing, The State/SC Prep RedZone; Jordan Ferrell, Fox Sports Spartanburg; Thomas Grant, Irmo News/SC Prep RedZone; Ian Guerin, SC Prep RedZone; Travis Jenkins, The News & Reporter; Wes Kerr, LowcoSports; James McBee, The Boiling Springs Sports Journal; MyHorryNews; David Shelton Post and Courier/High School Sports Report; Brent Shugart, Fox Sports Spartanburg; Brandon Stockdale, SC Prep RedZone; Pete Yanity, WSPA
