By Thomas Grant Jr.
(Photo by GoFlashWin.com)
This year marks the 10th anniversary of what became known as the “1,000-year flood”.
As the constant rainfall resulted in massive damage and river flooding throughout the Midlands, a high school football game took place Oct. 13 at Blythewood High School.
Perry Parks was the first-year head coach at Ridge View High School. It was the region opener and the opponent was Dutch Fork.
Sparked by two touchdown passes by D’Marco Zeigler to Connor Brown and 102 rushing yards from Ali Kelley, the Blazers defeated the Silver Foxes 28-21.
“That was a special team I had at Ridge View that year,” Parks remembered. “We were able to catch Coach (Tom) Knotts and his staff on a short week. I think we played that game on a Tuesday night or something crazy like that. One day of practice that week.”
Ten years later, Parks gets to face Dutch Fork and head coach Tom Knotts once again in region play. This time, he hopes to create a similar happy memory now at River Bluff.
A victory over the Silver Foxes (6-1, 3-0) would be the first in 11 meetings for the Gators (4-4, 1-2). It would also improve their RPI rating strength for the potential of a first-round game in the Class 5A Division I playoffs.
“Every week, we’re getting better and better,” Parks said. “We’re really competitive in a tough region. Our kids are getting better. Our running game has finally been established and our passing game is coming along.
“I’m proud of our guys. Our record really doesn’t reflect how proud we really are, but we’re moving in the right direction and we still have a chance to host a playoff game. That’s all you can ask for in the state of South Carolina, especially out of this region.”
In last Friday’s 29-7 win over Chapin, running back Hayden Myers accounted for 232 yards and two touchdowns. In surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season, he credited his offensive line led by fellow seniors Alex Kirylo and Landon Hudgins.
“They work hard each and every day,” Myers said. “They build big gaps for us. They’re a key link to the offense.”
Parks has mostly turned the offense over to freshman quarterback Davis Taylor. He threw for 149 yards and two touchdowns to junior wide receiver Darius Carter.
With 44 receptions for 589 yards and eight touchdowns, Carter has emerged as a game-breaker in the offense. He brings the athleticism and a high level of confidence into Friday’s game.
“Everybody thinks they (Dutch Fork) about to come in and dominate us, you know. We’ve been preparing good,” he said. “Coach Parks has an excellent game plan and… we’re about to come out and shock the whole state.”
Parks said the defense is young, but believes they are building for what he sees is a promising future. Sophomore linebacker Josiah Robinson is the team’s leading tackler (71), followed by Reece Huffstetler (61 tackles) and two-way athletes Caleb Renwick (43 tackles, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups) and Caleb Pinckney (35 tackles)
Among the experienced players are senior defensive lineman Mason Stewart (37 tackles, six tackles) and junior Nick Washington.
Indians even record
Kitt McLaunchlin and R.J. Kearse connected on two touchdown receptions and the Indian defense collected three interceptions in the 30-19 win over the Bearcats.
Wynn Meetze and Gray Gunter also scored rushing touchdowns for the Indians (4-4, 3-2). The win moves them into third place tie with Midland Valley in Region 4-4A and It holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Panthers roll behind Wooden
Senior running back Amadre Wooden continues to plow away against opponents.
In last Friday’s 63-0 win over American Leadership Academy, he rushed for 242 yards and three touchdowns. K.D. Whitt had 134 total yards and three touchdowns, two receiving.
The Panthers (5-3, 2-1) are tied for second place in Region 2-2A with Saluda. The Tigers (5-3, 2-1) are coming off a 28-27 loss to Ninety-Six, their first loss in the series since 2018.
Saluda was flagged 17 times for 165 yards. An unsportsmanlike penalty following a 12-yard touchdown run by Tristan Daniels with 3:35 left forced a 2-point conversion attempt that was unsuccessful.
Daniels finished with 157 rushing yards and quarterback Brayden Williams threw for 127 yards and three touchdowns.
In other Lake Murray Week 7 results:
Mid-Carolina 32, Columbia 8
Dutch Fork 49, Lexington 0
Irmo 14, White Knoll 3
RPI RATINGS
(Class 5A Division I Lower State)
Carolina Forest, 7-1, 0.70162 Stratford, 7-1, 0.68107 James Island, 7-1, 0.67679 Sumter, 7-1, 0.65009 Summerville, 6-2, 0.62860 Ashley Ridge, 5-3, 0.58677 River Bluff, 4-4, 0.52347 Lexington, 3-5, 0.50345 Fort Dorchester, 3-5, 0.47847 Wando, 4-4, 0.47596 Cane Bay, 2-6, 0.44568 West Ashley, 2-5, 0.40813 Stall, 1-7, 0.36192
(Class 5A Division II Lower State)
Irmo, 8-0, 0.79533 Myrtle Beach, 6-2, 0.61904 Berkeley, 6-2, 0.61273 White Knoll, 5-3, 0.61258 Lucy Beckham, 5-2, 0.61077 Westwood, 6-2, 0.56434 Lugoff-Elgin, 4-5, 0.49629 St. James, 3-5, 0.47837 West Florence, 3-5, 0.47214 North Myrtle Beach, 3-5, 0.44431
(Class 4A Lower State)
South Florence, 7-1, 0.68058 Hilton Head Island, 7-1, 0.67894 North Augusta, 7-1, 0.67104 Gray Collegiate, 6-2, 0.64734 Bluffton, 6-2, 0.62977 Hartsville 0.60226 Bishop England, 6-2, 0.59188 Midland Valley, 6-2, 0.57746 May River, 6-2, 0.57139 Lower Richland, 6-3, 0.54806 Wilson, 5-4, 0.53538 Crestwood, 4-4, 0.52538 Gilbert, 4-4, 0.49730 South Aiken, 4-4, 0.48607 Darlington, 3-5, 0.46132 Beaufort, 3-5, 0.44254 Brookland-Cayce, 2-6, 0.40943 Aiken, 2-6, 0.39139 Colleton County, 1-7, 0.35599 Airport, 0-8, 0.32456 Lakewood, 0-8, 0.31682
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 5A
1. Irmo (16) (8-0), 2. Northwestern (3) (8-1), 3. Dutch Fork (6-1), 4. Greenwood (7-1), 5. Ridge
View (6-2), 6. Summerville (6-2). 7. James Island (7-1), 8. Gaffney (6-2). 9. Indian Land (8-0), 10.
TL Hanna (7-1)
Others receiving votes: Sumter, Dorman, Stratford, Ashley Ridge, Greenville, Spartanburg,
Carolina Forest, White Knoll
Class 4A
1. South Pointe (18) (7-1), 2. South Florence (1) (7-1), 3. AC Flora (8-1), 4. Gray Collegiate (6-2),
5. Daniel (7-1), 6. North Augusta (7-1), 7. Hilton Head Island (7-1). 8. Seneca (8-1), 9. Camden (6-
2), 10. Wren (6-2)
Others receiving votes: May River, Hartsville, Midland Valley, Bluffton
Class 3A
1. Belton-Honea Path (14) (8-0), 2. Oceanside Collegiate (4) (7-2), 3. Newberry (1) (8-0), 4.
Loris (8-0), 5. Woodruff (7-1), 6. Orangeburg-Wilkinson (8-0), 7. Mountain View Prep (7-1), 8.
Dillon (5-3), 9. Powdersville (6-2), 10. Marlboro County (6-2)
Others receiving votes: Swansea, Christ Church, Waccamaw
Class 2A
1. Strom Thurmond (7) (7-1), 2. Clinton (9) (6-3), 3. Central (2) (6-1), 4. Timberland (1) (7-1), 5.
Hampton County (5-3), 6. Phillip Simmons (6-2), 7. Fairfield Central (6-3), 8. Batesburg-Leesville
(5-3), 9. Chester (6-3), 10. Andrew Jackson (5-3)
Others receiving votes: Saluda, East Clarendon
