Special to the T&D

Oliver C. Dawson Stadium is a very familiar venue for defending Class A Division I champion Carver's Bay and Chesterfield.

The two teams met in Orangeburg last year, with the Bears giving head coach and South Carolina State graduate James "Nate" Thompson a memorable "Homecoming" by edging the Rams 22-21 to claim its second state title in five years.

Today at 3 p.m., Carver's Bay (11-2) looks to defend its championship against the same Chesterfield team which has won four straight road games, including last week's 13-0 win over top-seed Bamberg-Ehrhardt.

"It's always a blessing to be back," Thompson told the High School Sports Report. "We were fortunate to win last year and to fight our way back is a credit to these players, a credit to our community and a credit to our administration, which has stood behind this program.

"These kids have believed in everything we have told them. They dreamed of making it back to the state championship and they took it upon themselves and made it happen."

Winners of seven straight, the Bears' two losses were by three points to last year's Division II champion Lake View (10-7) and Class 3-A school Carolina Forest (17-14). For the season, Carver's Bay has allowed a total of 70 points and have recorded six shutouts this season.

Senior defensive lineman Dyrell Porcha (6-5 285) is the captain of the Bears' defense and has 100 total tackles and a team-leading 11 sacks.

"He has been with us since he was a freshman and he has come along very nicely," Thompson said. "He works hard. He believes in himself and his teammates. He gets after it on Fridays."

Porcha is joined on the defensive front by junior Kwame Geathers (6-6, 320). The son of former Buffalo Bill Robert Geathers and nephew of former Denver Bronco Jumpy Geathers, who played for Willie Jeffries at Wichita State, Robert has 86 tackles, seven sacks and three forced three fumbles.

Senior linebacker Carlos Britton is the team's leading tackler with 106 total stops. Britton, who coach Thompson said is one of the program's most important players, has also forced four turnovers this season.

Offensively, senior running back Jonathan Holmes has more than filled the void left by the graduation of 2,000-yard rusher Malcolm Elder. Holmes has 2,008 ground yards and 30 touchdowns as well as 169 yards receiving this season and has only fumbled twice on 241 rushing attempts.

Junior quarterback Arlington Scott has brought some balance to Carvers Bay, effectively running and throwing the ball this fall. He has 650 yards on the ground and 588 yards through the air as well as 15 touchdowns.

His favorite target is Clayton Geathers who has nearly half of the team's receiving yards with 254 and nine touchdowns. Two-way player Davious Chestnut, a sophomore, has 55 tackles as well as 177 yards rushing this fall.

CHESTERFIELD

Despite the temptation of other job opportunities following the state title game loss, Rams' head coach Steve Taneyhill returned this season to settle some "Unfinished Business".

The slogan has served as the team's motto this season and Chesterfield has responded by defeating the top three seeds in the Upper State playoffs to earn a rematch with the Bears.

"The kids have bought into it," Taneyhill said. "They are beginning to play very well."

The Rams offense, which has scored 365 points, relies on versatile senior running back Simpson Miller. Miller has his second straight 1,000-yard season locked up coming into the championship game, with 1567 yards and 28 touchdowns on 241 touches and was responsible for both touchdowns in last week's 13-10 win over Bamberg-Ehrhardt.

"Getting so close and falling short really motivated us this season," said Miller. "Our offense is really starting to click and we are playing with a purpose."

New starting quarterback Akeem Johnson has seamlessly filled Nick Dixon's shoes, completing 99-202 passes for 1,536 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Defensively, the Rams have allowed just 22 points in the post-season. Senior defensive lineman Lenard Williams has a team-high nine sacks on the season and sophomore Moon Edwards has 21 tackles for losses.

The linebacking duo of Brandon Williams and Carlos Robinson, who've combined for 312 tackles this season.

"We may not have any "all-stars" but this is our players' all-star game," said Taneyhill, referencing the fact none of his players were selected to the Shrine Bowl or North-South All-Star Game. "We deserve to be here and these players would rather be playing here than anywhere."

BEARS vs. RAMS

WHO: Carver's Bay (11-2) vs. Chesterfield (10-3)

WHAT: Class A Division I final

WHERE: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg

WHEN: 3 p.m. today

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