By Thomas Grant Jr.
After a winless first season, American Leadership Academy opened Year Two with an historic victory.
The Patriots defeated Thornwell 43-6 last Friday in Week 0. It was not only the first win for the program, but the first under new head coach Kemper Amick.
New coaches at Lexington and Saluda were also victorious in their respective debuts. Former Tigers’ head coach Stewart Young led the Wildcats to a 23-7 win over Gilbert.
The contest was played over two days due to bad weather. Lexington also saw starting quarterback Avery Cole suffer a wrist injury.
Backup freshman Easton Crocker entered the game. He completed 7-8 passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns for the victory. Markel Byrd also rushed for 100 yards in the win.
Meanwhile, Young’s former team was also successful last Saturday for its new head coach Greg Woerner. It defeated Crescent 28-6 as Brayden Williams threw two touchdowns and Tristan Daniels finished with 107 rushing yards and a score.
Bad weather – no problem
Both Pelion and Swansea moved up its Week 0 games to last Thursday and came away victorious.
Jai Chuniesing and Tre Jackson each scored two touchdowns as the Panthers shut out Williston-Elko 35-0 in a game that was called in the second half.
This was former Cardinal Newman head coach Cory Helms’ debut as Pelion coach.
It was a dominating performance at Doug Bennett Stadium for Swansea against Mid-Carolina.
Dante Caldwell and Trace Selfridge each had two touchdowns and PJ Larry rushed for a score and finished with 11 tackles and a sack in the 49-7 victory. Nick Riley had two sacks in the win.
Weather also caused an interruption at White Knoll for its season-opener against Camden. The Timberwolves finished the contest with the Bulldogs before losing 20-7.
Newberry wins big
It was the Kenton Caldwell show last Friday.
The senior quarterback accounted for seven touchdowns (four passing, three rushing) against the Yellow Jackets.
University of South Carolina commit Jamel Howse accounted for one of the receiving touchdowns.
S.C. HIGH SCHOOL PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 3A
1. Belton-Honea Path, 2 (tie). Woodruff (4) (1-0) & Oceanside Collegiate, 4. Dillon, 5. Mountain View Prep, 6. Loris, 7. Newberry, 8. Orangeburg-Wilkinson, 9. Marlboro County, 10. Powdersville Others receiving votes: Christ Church, Keenan, Swansea, Aynor, Broome, Chapman, St. Joseph’s, Silver Bluff
Class 2A
1. Clinton, 2 (tie). Chester & Batesburg-Leesville, 4. Hampton County, 5. Barnwell, 6. Cheraw, 7. Fairfield Central, 8. Central, 9. Strom Thurmond, 10. Philip Simmons Others receiving votes: Saluda, Chesnee, Manning, Andrew Jackson, Mullins, Timberland, Pelion
WEEK 0 SCORES
American Leadership Academy 43, Thornwell 0
Lexington 23, Gilbert 7
Newberry 62, Union County 14
Pelion 35, Williston-Elko 0
Saluda 28, Crescent 6
Swansea 49, Mid-Carolina 7
Camden 20, White Knoll 7
WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
Camden Military at Academic Leadership Academy
Abbeville at Batesburg-Leesville
North Augusta at Lexington
Mid-Carolina at Newberry
Pelion at Columbia
Swansea at Ridge Spring-Monetta
White Knoll at Sumter
Photo from Saluda Football.
