Saturday Morning QB | Carolina Forest makes it a close one

Marc Morris said a winning attitude starts in the offseason.

Not off a single play or even a single game.

If that’s the case, the Carolina Forest second-year coach lent some credence to his team’s regiment since last November. The Panthers’ 36-28 loss to Fort Dorchester was about as impressive as any loss in Carolina Forest history.

The loss — in which the Patriots changed their game plan to rest starting quarterback Dakereon Joyner on the fly — opened plenty of eyes toward the Grand Strand’s biggest high school. The No. 2 ranked Fort Dorchester squad needed a pair of interceptions in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Carolina Forest will now move on to three games against Class AAA teams (St. James, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach) before facing Lexington prior to the start of region play. It shapes up for arguably the biggest September in Panthers’ football history.

AROUND THE AREA

New Hanover made quick work of Socastee in a 48-21 win in the Derrick Law Firm Carolinas Kickoff Class. The Braves fell to 0-2 for the first time in more than a decade.

North Myrtle Beach blocked a fourth-quarter extra point and defeated Loris for the second time in three years. The Chiefs’ 27-26 win came on week after getting blown out by Class AA powerhouse Dillon.

Aynor ran for 315 yards on 42 carries without a single player tallying more than 84 in a 48-6 win over Creek Bridge. The Blue Jackets were up 48-0 in the second quarter en route to a season-opening victory.

St. James couldn’t keep the positive momentum going after beating Loris last week. The Sharks fell to Andrews despite four combined touchdowns from senior quarterback Zach Werba.

Without its star player, Waccamaw outlasted Hannah-Pamplico 28-13 and picked up its first win over the year after dropping last week’s game to Andrews.

After Green Sea-Floyds went winless in 2014 and earned only one victory in 2013, the Trojans moved to 2-0 with 16-14 win over East Clarendon.

Carvers Bay lost against Johnsonville for the fifth time in six years after penalties and other miscues added up in the Bears’ season opener.

On Thursday, Conway cruised to a 55-0 win over South Brunswick (N.C.) in the DLF Carolinas Kickoff Clash. The Tigers were winning so comfortably that they were able to pull many of their starters in the second quarter.

NUMBER OF THE WEEK

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT

POWER RANKINGS (all classes)

1. Myrtle Beach

2. Conway

3. Carolina Forest

4. Georgetown

5. North Myrtle Beach

WEEK 1 GAME BALLS

Dyverse Simmons, RB, Carolina Forest - The junior made the most of his first game against Fort Dorchester, rushing for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

Zach Werba, QB, St. James - Werba was 20-of-34 passing for 203 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score in the Sharks’ loss to Andrews.

R.J. Knowlin, RB/LB, Waccamaw - The Warriors sophomore blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, ran for another score and picked off a pass in a win over Hannah-Pamplico.

Jah’Maine Martin, RB, Conway - In the first quarter alone, Martin ran for three touchdowns against South Brunswick. He had 66 yards on just five carries before getting some rest.

Kered Class, RB, North Myrtle Beach - With just 14 carries, Class ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns in a win over S.C. 9 rival Loris.

This story was originally published August 29, 2015 at 6:16 AM with the headline "Saturday Morning QB | Carolina Forest makes it a close one."