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A month into the prep football season and what a difference a year makes in Orangeburg Consolidated District Five.
The end of the 2007 campaign saw all three district schools (Orangeburg-Wilkinson, Bethune-Bowman and North) looking for new head coaches. The Bruins missed the playoffs after a 3-0 start, the Mohawks were barred from the postseason for the first time in 24 years and the Eagles had a quick first-round exit after winning just three games last year.
So far in 2008, things are looking rosy for at least two of the schools. North has already matched last year’s total and is off to its best start in 17 years, while O-W has a shot at going 4-0 for the second time in five years.
In all, several T&D Region schools (Blackville-Hilda, Calhoun County, Calhoun Academy, Bamberg-Ehrhardt and Williston-Elko) remain perfect entering Week Four. That number is guaranteed to drop to six following this Friday’s North/Williston-Elko Region 4-A clash.
The arrival of fall means the arrival of the “second season” and the start of region play. As the competition becomes more heated, the outstanding performances should only increase as teams jockey for position in their quest to reach Columbia and Orangeburg and the state championship games.
Teams of the Week
S.C. HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE -- Orangeburg-Wilkinson
The second go-round for the Bruins under Tommy Brown has the team off to a 3-0 start for the third straight year. Quarterback Jayson Leverett has filled in admirably for injured starter Joshua Charles and the defense made timely stops in victories over Stratford and Lower Richland. A win this week over Lake Marion would mark the first 4-0 start since 2003.
SCISA -- Dorchester Academy
Reports of Stanley Gruber’s fall into obscurity can now officially be classified as an aberration. With Friday’s dominating performance against Holly Hill Academy, the Raiders of St. George have already erased the memory of last week’s dreadful campaign and served notice of their revival.
Players of the Week
S.C. HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE -- Joe Thomas (Blackville-Hilda)
The Hawks’ running back has arguably been the “Elite” of the “Elite 11” players so far. Against Allendale-Fairfax, he carried the football 20 times for 167 yards and four touchdowns.
He’s also helped the defense allow an average of 11.6 points per game in three games.
SCISA -- Thomas Plumb (OPS)
It’s been a “Murderer’s Row” schedule for the Indians so far, facing four consecutive playoff teams from a year ago, including both Class 3-A finalists. Despite the 1-3 mark, Plumb has been a bright spot at quarterback and against Heathwood Hall completed 10 of 14 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 89 yards.
Week Three gridiron giants
Chris Long (Andrew Jackson Academy) -- 15 carries, 169 yards, four TDs
John Avant (Andrew Jackson Academy) -- 11.5 tackles
Danny Berry (Bethune-Bowman) -- 21 carries, 181 yards, TD
David Sims (Calhoun County) -- 23 carries, 166 yards, three TDs; 125 passing yards, TD)
Andrew Robinson (Calhoun Academy) -- 7-11 passing, 140 yards, two TDs
Trez Wienges (Calhoun Academy) -- 10 carries, 102 yards, TD
Brandon Golston (Calhoun County) -- four sacks
Trevor Davis (Dorchester Academy) -- eight carries, 111 rushing yards, three TDs
Chris Goodwin (Edisto) -- three sacks
Nicholas Williams (Lake Marion) -- 20 carries, 104 yards, TD
Marcellus Tilly (Lake Marion) -- 13 tackles
Tyshawn Washington (Lake Marion) -- 12 tackles
Terry McFadden (North) -- 18 carries, 106 yards
Tremaine McMillian (North) -- 10 of 20 passing, 167 yards, two TDs
Freddie Martino (North) -- seven catches, 102 yards, TD
A.J. Andrews (Orangeburg Prep) -- 132 yards, two TDs
Jayson Leverett (Orangeburg-Wilkinson) -- 350 total yards, two TDs
Zayvan Pam (Orangeburg-Wilkinson) -- 3.5 sacks
Sean Davis (Pelion) -- 20 carries, 173 yards, three TDs
Marcus Bates (Williston-Elko) -- 13 tackles
Robert Smith (Woodland) -- 14-28 passing, 220 yards, one TD; defensive INT
By the numbers
At 3-0, North is off to its best start since 1991 ... With six straight wins dating back to their state title run, the Hawks of Blackville-Hilda currently own The T&D Region’s longest winning streak ... With the revival of its football program, Branchville owns The T&D Region’s longest active losing streak at 16 straight games. The Yellow Jackets’ last victory came Oct. 25, 1991 against Waccamaw .... Orangeburg-Wilkinson has started 3-0 three straight years, only to win one game the rest of the way the previous two years ... Pelion’s Sean Davis once again leads The T&D Region in rushing with 522 yards and seven TDs ... Even after a week off, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler quarterback Montaurus Gleaton is tops in passing with 751 yards and five TDs, while Denmark-Olar’s Treaver Workman leads in receiving with 22 catches for 371 yards and four TDs.
Giant killers?
Since moving down to Class A, Bamberg-Ehrhardt has more than held its own against the bigger schools. Last Friday’s 20-14 victory over Barnwell was the 16th consecutive win over a team in a higher classification.
Quotables
“How does it feel to be 3-0!” -- North junior linebacker Gregg Davis speaking to his teammates following last Friday’s 12-6 double-overtime win over Bethune-Bowman.
n T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5547.