Prep pigskin week in review (Aug. 22)
To put St. James’ win over Loris on Friday night in perspective, a bit of history helps.
For starters, the Sharks haven’t exactly had much luck when it comes to season openers. The 12-year varsity program had, in fact, won just twice prior to Friday in the first game of the year. Both of those wins (2006-2007) came against Waccamaw. And they came by a total of just four points.
So, by defeating the Class AA-ranked Lions 23-20, St. James now has something it has had for limited parts of only four seasons in its history.
A winning record.
It’s a spot the Sharks earned courtesy of a strong defense and a quality offensive performance against one of the stingiest defenses in the state the past few years.
Around the area
In The Sun News’ Game of the Week, Conway made a strong push in the final quarter and a half in taking down Georgetown 22-13. The Tigers got a tide-turning interception from Jerron Bellamy to set up their first score of the game. Then, quarterback Peyton Derrick connected with Juwon Moody and Bryan Edwards on a pair of long touchdown passes to put Conway ahead for good.
Maybe no team in the state was as happy with their win than Green Sea Floyds. With a 26-13 victory over Hannah-Pamplico, Horry County’s smallest school ended a 13-game losing streak.
Waccamaw dropped its season opener against Andrews in a game that starts the county-wide round robin. However, the Warriors were playing without running back Kevin Gasque, who had 1,315 yards last year. Coach Tyronne Davis didn’t want to risk making a sprained ankle worse than it already was.
North Myrtle Beach stood little chance against three-time defending Class AA state champion Dillon. The Chiefs lost 54-14, a number surprisingly similar to last year’s 56-16 final.
Socastee’s new-look offense struggled with so many new players. The Braves fell 25-13 to West Brunswick (N.C.), in a game between the two regular border-crossing opponents.
The Braves, transitioning to a spread offense, haven’t thrown for that many yards in a single game in at least four seasons. Although individual game stats prior to that weren’t immediately available, it is believed to be back-dated much further given the team’s prior use of the triple-option offense.
Quote of the night
With young players, you’ve got to get them thinking right. I think this is a big win for us. We need some confidence.
Conway coach Chuck Jordan
after his team defeated Georgetown on the roadPower rankings (all classes)
1. Myrtle Beach
2. Conway
3. Carolina Forest
4. Georgetown
5. North Myrtle Beach
Week 0 game balls
Peyton Derrick, QB, Conway: The junior threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score in the Tigers’ victory over Georgetown.
Wyatt Upchurch, RB, Green Sea Floyds: The tailback’s 134 yards were critical in the Trojans ending losing streak that dated back to 2013.
Taylor Karnap, WR, Socastee: The Braves receiver put up 125 yards receiving and a touchdown in a loss to West Brunswick.
Dyverse Simmons, RB, Carolina Forest: With 169 yards and a touchdown, the Panthers’ junior helped the Panthers to a dominating 31-6 win over Darlington.
Week 1 schedule
Thursday
South Brunswick (TBD) vs. Conway (1-0), Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium
Friday
Fort Dorchester (1-0) at Carolina Forest (1-0), The Sun News Game of the Week
New Hanover (1-0) vs. Socastee (0-1), Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium
North Myrtle Beach (0-1) at Loris (0-1)
Andrews (1-0) at St. James (1-0)
Hannah-Pamplico (0-1) at Waccamaw (0-1)
Aynor (0-0) at Creek Bridge (0-1)
East Clarendon (0-0) at Green Sea-Floyds (1-0)
Carvers Bay (0-0) at Johnsonville (0-1)
Saturday
Charlotte Christian (0-1) at Myrtle Beach (0-0)
OFF: Georgetown (0-1)
Ian Guerin: ian@ianguerin.com, @iguerin
This story was originally published August 22, 2015 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Prep pigskin week in review (Aug. 22)."