Calling All Elder Statesmen

[racincowboy02]

Ok I am wanting to talk to the senior people on the board, Im not talking who has been here the longest Im talking the guys and ladies that have been on this earth for 50 plus years and that have been to football games from back when they started goin to now. Ok lets talk football and lets talk greatest games youve ever seen and lets talk greatest players youve seen, Lets talk about all of the stadiums you have seen and how many have changed or been torn down and then had new stadiums built lets talk about all of kinds of high school football from back in the day when you first started going to now.

[Penguin]

This is easy for me. The two 1997 games between Gaffney and Northwestern. Derek Ross for the Trojans and Kentrell Jones for the Indians. I have never seen two more skilled, talented, and confident, teams in this state.

I watched Northwestern beat RNE in the Quarterfinals by going for a 4th and goal to score a TD on the last play of the game, and win rather than kick a FG to tie the game and send it to overtime.

The next week, I was in Summerville and watched the Indians hold of McKissick, his Greenwave, and the Zebras, for a 28-27 win in another exciting game.

Absolutely amazing games. Joe Montgomery Vs. Moose Wallace. It just doesn't get any better than that.

[racincowboy02]

Oh yea Penguin I remember those games very well man those were to great games. But give us some insight on the Beaufort program from when you 1st started goin to high school games to now lets take a peak at how that program has changed from then to now

[Penguin]

My first games at Beaufort, were when I was just a grasshopper (1962). My two cousins played for the Tidal Wave. (yes, Beaufort was known as the Tidal Wave until 1973, my Freshman year, when they combined all of the schools in Northern Beaufort County, and we became the Eagles.) Beaufort was very good in those days, but not great. McKissick was just getting his sea legs at Summerville, and learning how to cheat the system. They were the big, bad, bullies. Frank Small was our Head Coach. He was a classmate of my mother back in the day. To this day, he is the most renowned Track Coach that this state ever had.

I think that the only playoff game for Beaufort back then was against North Augusta. We played the likes of Ridgeland (Tigers), Moultrie (Generals), Charleston (Bantams), and some of the usual schools. When the schools were merged, Smalls was let go and the program took a noticeable nosedive. The formation of the then new, Battery Creek High, led to all of our coaches moving across town, and taking with them, the better talent.

Beaufort struggled up until 1983 when a group of dedicated young men and a new Head Coach, Mike Rentz, put together a very competitive team led by Andy Smyth, Zeke Gadson, Scott Dennis, and Christian Tattersall. I will never forget watching an undefeated Summerville team roll into town with about 6 or 8 Greyhound busses for a battle of unbeatens. Four quarters and 17-7 points later, The Wave tucked tail and went home a beaten lot. They rebounded for another State Championship that season, never losing again. We lost a heartbreaker during the regular season to unranked Berkeley while we were ranked #2 in the state. First round, we handled Marion with ease. Second round, we lost 7-6 to Hartsville. The last time that we played the Foxes until last year in the 2nd round. That was easily the best Beaufort High team that I have ever seen. BEF was about 5 years old that season. I remember his dad bringing him to the games with him.

When Beaufort dropped to 3A just 2 years later, the handwriting was on the wall. Beaufort was never competitive again until 2004 and the arrival of Mark Clifford. That 2004 team was good, but we lost at 13-0 to an Irmo team that was ultimately better coached. In 2007, an embarrassed Beaufort squad took the bit in their teeth and played until the mid 4th quarter with the lead in the State Championship game against Clover. Ultimately, our defense could not stay at home and stop the Wing T that Jet Turner coached so well.

Beaufort has been on a yo-yo ever since, but appears to be ready to mount another challenge this season.

[CITYSLICKER]

EYE CANT REMEMBER ANYMORE

[Penguin]

EYE CANT REMEMBER ANYMORE

Slick, when you and I are gone, a trove of High School Football memories will be gone with us. Between us, well over a hundred years of watching games. Something that will not be easily replaced. Win, Lose, or Tie, I just love watching teenaged kids play this wonderful sport. (Summerville played with college aged kids with wives and children to feed.) I really learned how to better appreciate the game when I was watching teams that I had no vested interest in. Traveling the State to watch a game in a new place every week. Seen some really nice places to play, and some rat holes as well. Wouldn't change anything about my experiences.

[racincowboy02]

Wow that is pretty cool over view Penguin and thank you very much for sharing and if you got stories you would love to tell I am all ears and i agree with you about the years and the memories thats why I am doing this to try and capture some of those memories and stories so that when our kids/ grandkids and great grandkids look at this stuff they will be like wow that is pretty cool

[Onion Rings]

1989 Rock Hill v Northwestern triple ot thriller (the most build up and excitement I've ever seen. it was packed at 6:30). #1 and always will be, even though we lost 19-16

not sure of the year but Summerville v Gaffney in Cola. AJ Green was a sophomore and dominated the first half. Gaffney methodically came back and won on the final play of the game. The Gaffney qb took the snap and the horn blew. Best state championship I've ever seen

Can't say the Kentrell v Ross games were the most exciting. Too painful

More recently Daniel v South Pointe a couple of years ago and Venebles son was the Daniel qb. They ended SP 4 straight titles and Coach Herron from SP retired on the field after the game

1996 Spartanburg v Northwestern, trying to end S'Burg's 36 game win streak. A miracle finish won it for the Vikes

and finally 1996 Rock Hill v Northwestern. RH scored to take the lead with 15 seconds left in the game. It was packed and they were going crazy. They kick to NW who returns the ball to about the 50. Time for 1 play. Ross scrambles and heaves it into the end zone to be caught by Shawn Woodard for a Trojan win

there have been a bunch more but I don't feel like thinking about them now. If there was a big game with Northwestern, Rock Hill, Gaffney, Spartanburg, Dorman, or Byrnes I was there

[96fanatic]

I am 73.Been going to high school games since i finished 96 in 1964.
I go watch my Wildcats most of the time but have been to watch other
games if 96 ain't playing.i have been to most of the stadiums in all classes
in the upstate and a few in the lower state.some of the games that stick
with me are the 1968 upper state game between Greenwood and Wade Hampton
played at Sirrine Stadium in Greenville.games didn't start till 8 pm back then.
Me and my brother in-law got there about 7 and the place was already packed.
both bands were rocking and the Cheer leaders leading the crowd.
Greenwood won 17-6 i believe the score was.1972 an undefeated Easley team
led by the great Stanly Morgan came to Greenwood for a play-off game and
beat Greenwood 21-13 that was a head knocking game.Easley beat Lower-Richland
7-6 for the state championship.i was at that game also.in 1970 a 9-0 Wren team
came to 96 and were favored by over 40 points.My Wildcats won 12-10.That was
the best defensive game i ever watched 96 play. In 1982 my 14-0 Wildcats coached
by Shell Dula hosted a play-off game with Chapman.it had rained all day and the field
looked like a pond.in the 4th quarter Chapman had the ball 1st and goal inside the
96 5 yard line.My Wildcats held them and took over at the 2 yard line,fumbled the
ball and Chapman had 1st and goal again inside the 5. 96 held them again.that
1982 team was and still is the best 96 team.they beat Barnwell for the 2a state that year.
Man i wish coach Dula had stayed at 96 all these years.I have seen some great players
over the years. Stanley Morgan, Connie Norris,Casper Carter, Stephen Davis and of coarse
Ronald Williams played for 96. and many more.Ain't nothing like high school football.
I am finished with my rant. Wait,i almost forgot the 1973 3a upper state championship
game with Clinton at Saluda.that was a heck of a game.Clinton won 14 -13. i watched
a few Clinton games back in the 70's and man they played some defense..ok i am through.

[racincowboy02]

Thanks 96 and Onion Ring for the insight this is freaking awesome. Onion Ring we won't talk about that Northwestern vs Gaffney state title game back in 1993 ever Ok does that sound good to you lol