By Thomas Grant Jr.
With two games remaining, Gray Collegiate Academy is in the driver’s seat for the Region 4-4A title.
A win Friday at Aiken will earn the War Eagles the Region 4-4A title. This comes a year after they were barred from the postseason and were forced to forfeit victories by the S.C. High School League.
In last week’s 44-7 win over South Aiken, running back Trevin Williamson rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Xavier Wright threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns, two to Royce Williamson.
On defense, linebacker Tye Rivers had 24 tackles and Michael Boulware had 19.
Gray Collegiate (6-2, 5-0) is now in position to ensure additional home playoff games with a higher seeding. The latest RPI ratings has it fourth in the Lower State behind defending Class 4A champion South Florence, Hilton Head Island and North Augusta.
The RPI (Ranking Points Index) ratings in South Carolina are used to determine. playoff seeding for high school football teams. The RPI is calculated based on:
- 40% of your winning percentage
- 30% of your opponents’ winning percentage
- 30% of your opponents’ opponents’ winning percentage
Facing opponents in South Aiken and Gilbert with a .500 record could help boost the War Eagles’ rankings. They also own the head-to-head advantage North Augusta.
Swansea suffers
1st loss of season
The best start in over a decade came to an end last Friday for the Tigers.
Silver Bluff scored nine fourth quarter points for the 37-28 victory.
After a touchdown run by Dante’ Caldwell tied the game at 28-28, the Bulldogs took the lead on a 32-yard touchdown pass by Jordan Williams to Trellis Riley with six minutes remaining.
Swansea (7-1, 1-1) was backed up at its own four with a minute left when Williams made a tackle for the safety.
The Tigers now stand in third place behind undefeated Newberry and Silver Bluff.
Gators face Silver Foxes
It’s been 10 years since head coach Phil Parks led Ridge View to a 28-21 win over Dutch Fork.
The loss was just one of two suffered in region play the past 10 years by the Silver Foxes.
On Friday, Parks looks to repeat history. This time, as the head coach of River Bluff as it seeks its first win in 11 tries against the 3-time defending Class 5A champions.
“This week, we’ve got a tall task ahead of us,” he said. “Of course, playing Dutch Fork. Everybody knows that’s the standard oi what high school football should be, not just in South Carolina. But in the southeast. So, we just want to come out there and play a clean game.”
A victory would improve the Gators’ RPI rating strength for the potential of a first-round game in the Class 5A Division I playoffs. They close out the season in The Swamp against Lexington.
“Everybody thinks they (Dutch Fork) about to come in and dominate us, you know,” River Bluff wide receiver Darius Carter said. “We’ve been preparing good. Coach Parks has an excellent game plan and… we’re about to come out and shock the whole state.”
OTHER C/WC SCORES
Strom Thurmond 61, Pelion 0
Gilbert 30, Brookland-Cayce 19
North Augusta 56, Airport 7
RPI RATINGS
Class 4A
Lower State: South Florence, 7-1, 0.68058 Hilton Head Island, 7-1, 0.67894 North Augusta, 7-1, 0.67104 Gray Collegiate, 6-2, 0.64734 Bluffton, 6-2, 0.62977 Hartsville 0.60226 Bishop England, 6-2, 0.59188 Midland Valley, 6-2, 0.57746 May River, 6-2, 0.57139 Lower Richland, 6-3, 0.54806 Wilson, 5-4, 0.53538 Crestwood, 4-4, 0.52538 Gilbert, 4-4, 0.49730 South Aiken, 4-4, 0.48607 Darlington, 3-5, 0.46132 Beaufort, 3-5, 0.44254 Brookland-Cayce, 2-6, 0.40943 Aiken, 2-6, 0.39139 Colleton County, 1-7, 0.35599 Airport, 0-8, 0.32456 Lakewood, 0-8, 0.31682
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 5A
1. Irmo (16) (8-0), 2. Northwestern (3) (8-1), 3. Dutch Fork (6-1), 4. Greenwood (7-1), 5. Ridge View (6-2), 6. Summerville (6-2). 7. James Island (7-1), 8. Gaffney (6-2). 9. Indian Land (8-0), 10. TL Hanna (7-1)
Others receiving votes: Sumter, Dorman, Stratford, Ashley Ridge, Greenville, Spartanburg, Carolina Forest, White Knoll
Class 4A
1. South Pointe (18) (7-1), 2. South Florence (1) (7-1), 3. AC Flora (8-1), 4. Gray Collegiate (6-2), 5. Daniel (7-1), 6. North Augusta (7-1), 7. Hilton Head Island (7-1). 8. Seneca (8-1), 9. Camden (6-2), 10. Wren (6-2)
Others receiving votes: May River, Hartsville, Midland Valley, Bluffton
Class 3A
1. Belton-Honea Path (14) (8-0), 2. Oceanside Collegiate (4) (7-2), 3. Newberry (1) (8-0), 4. Loris (8-0), 5. Woodruff (7-1), 6. Orangeburg-Wilkinson (8-0), 7. Mountain View Prep (7-1), 8. Dillon (5-3), 9. Powdersville (6-2), 10. Marlboro County (6-2)
Others receiving votes: Swansea, Christ Church, Waccamaw
Class 2A
1. Strom Thurmond (7) (7-1), 2. Clinton (9) (6-3), 3. Central (2) (6-1), 4. Timberland (1) (7-1), 5. Hampton County (5-3), 6. Phillip Simmons (6-2), 7. Fairfield Central (6-3), 8. Batesburg-Leesville (5-3), 9. Chester (6-3), 10. Andrew Jackson (5-3)
Others receiving votes: Saluda, East Clarendon
