Monthly Archives: September 2015
Courier Obituaries 9-30-15
WILLIAM CARSON ISAACS JR.
PICKENS — William Carson Isaacs Jr., 75, husband of Peggy Isaacs, went to be with the Lord Monday, Sept. 14, 2015.
Mr. Isaacs was born in Boone, N.C., a son of the late Pauline Yates Isaacs and William Carson Isaacs Sr.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years; one daughter, Crystal Gantt (Harvey) of Charlotte, N.C.; one son, Mike Isaacs (Gail) of Pickens; one sister, Martha Isaacs of Lenoir, N.C.; one brother, Johnny Isaacs of Lenoir, N.C.; four grandchildren, Zachary and Sara Gantt, both of Charlotte, N.C., and Carson and Sam Isaacs of Pickens.
A native of Lenoir, N.C., Isaacs lettered in basketball and football for four years at Lenoir High School. As a sophomore and junior, he also played baseball and ran track.
Isaacs attended Appalachian State University, where he played center and middle linebacker for the Mountaineers’ football team. At App State, he was named All Conference, All District 26 NAIA, All State, and Williamson All-American. He received a Bachelor of Science from Appalachian in mathematics and physical education. Isaacs received his Masters of Science from Clemson University in school administration.
Isaacs, inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011, started his coaching career in Mullins for two years. He became head football coach at Pickens High School in 1965 at the age of 24 and directed the Blue Flame for 27 years.
Isaacs took over a program that had lost 33 consecutive games and led Pickens to a record of 181-109-5, including nine conference championships and 14 state playoff games.
Isaacs, who won coach of the year honors nine times, guided the Blue Flame to a state-record 57 consecutive regular-season victories between 1969 and 1975, a stretch that included five straight Western AAA region titles.
Additional accolades during his coaching career include Area Coach of the year two times, All Star Assistant Coach, All Star Head Coach, Shrine Bowl Assistant Coach, Teacher of the year and Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator award. Isaacs also coached the basketball team to a 43-17 record and the softball team to a 37-2 record while at Pickens.
In addition to coaching, Isaacs also served as a teacher, athletic director, assistant principal, class sponsor and bus supervisor at Pickens High School.
After retirement from coaching and teaching in 1993, Isaacs picked up a very different hobby — Koi fish. A founding member and president from 2000-2001 of the S.C. Koi and Water Garden Association, he was named “Koi Person of the Year” in 2004 by the Associated Koi Clubs of America.
A celebration of Coach Isaacs’ life was held Sept. 19 at Bruce Field in Pickens. A private burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Pickens High School, 150 Blue Flame Drive, Pickens, SC 29671. The funds will be designated to the football program. Dillard Funeral home is assisting the Isaacs family.
DICKIE RAY STEWART
PICKENS — Dickie Ray Stewart, 65, of Pickens, husband of Vickie Chappell Stewart for 44 years, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away Sept. 14, 2015, in Pickens.
Born in the Griffin community in Pickens County, Dickie was the son of the late W. Ray and Irene Anthony Stewart. He graduated from Pickens High School in 1968 and later attended Anderson Jr. College and Greenville Technical College. He served his country in the U.S. Navy from December 1970 through April 1975, receiving an honorable discharge. He last worked at Builder’s First Source, but was most recently retired.
Dickie was a member of Secona Baptist Church, where he sang in the church choir and served as the unofficial cook for many church activities. He also served in several community and civic organizations.
Surviving, in addition to his wife are three daughters and sons-in-law; Kerry Stewart Straight and Paul of Charleston, Alanna Stewart Trotter and Chad of Pickens, and Erin Stewart Meyer and Erler of Spartanburg. Known affectionately as Grumpy, Dickie leaves behind seven beloved grandchildren, Bryson Trotter, Kenna Trotter, Jack Straight, Ruby Straight, Griffin Trotter, Christos Meyer and Seraphima Meyer, due in January 2016. He leaves behind two sisters and brothers-in-law, Rosemary Parker and Kenneth of Easley, and Jane Davis and Dan of Anderson; his mother-in-law, Doris Chappell; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Becky Evett and Ricky both of Pickens, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Dickie was preceded in death by his beloved father-in-law, Buren Chappell.
“A life not lived as ordinary is by definition extraordinary,” is how Dickie chose to live and how he died. He had a thirst for knowledge, which fed his prolific reading habit. He read thousands of books and remembered most everything he read. He loved his high school sweetheart who became his wife, his daughters, his sons-in-law, his grandchildren and his sisters, as evidenced by his dedication to them and their devotion to him. He loved his extended family and demonstrated that in the countless hours he spent organizing family reunions, researching the family history and organizing and sharing that research. He conquered the physical challenges of recovering from heart by-pass surgery by becoming an expert on a heart-healthy diet and challenging himself physically: he ran in this year’s Cooper River Bridge Run. He loved his church and put that love into action in his quiet efforts to offer encouragement, support or a helping hand to those in need. He accomplished all these things and more with a twinkle in his eyes, a smile on his face, a sparkling sense of humor and humility of spirit. His final act proved just how extraordinary he was, as he placed his own life in danger while coming to the aid of a cherished friend and neighbor. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” — John 15:13.
Funeral services to honor his life were held on Sept. 18 at Secona Baptist Church. Burial services were held immediately following at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery.
MILDRED SEABORN HENDRICKS
SIX MILE — Mildred Seaborn Hendricks, 81, wife of the late Lloyd Benjamin Hendricks, went to be with the Lord Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, at Cottingham Hospice House.
Mrs. Hendricks was born in Pickens County, the daughter of the late Irene Cantrell Seaborn and J.W. Seaborn.
Mrs. Hendricks was a member of Gap Hill Baptist Church. At the passing of her husband, they were happily married for 64 years. She loved and cherished her family with all her heart.
Survivors include one son, Michael “Rusty” Hendricks and wife Krystal of Six Mile; one brother, Joe Seaborn, of Six Mile, and grandson Kyle Hendricks of Spartanburg.
Mrs. Hendricks was predeceased by her husband, parents and one brother, James Lewis “J.L.” Seaborn.
A memorial service was held Sept. 22 at Dillard Funeral Home Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 301 University Ridge No. 5000, Greenville, SC 29601. Dillard Funeral home is assisting the Hendricks family.
INEZ CHILDRESS OWENS
PICKENS — Inez Childress Owens, 87, wife of the late Ned Tilman Owens, went to be with the Lord on Thursday Sept. 17, 2015, at her home.
Mrs. Owens was born in Easley, the daughter of the late Frances Jones Childress and Thomas Ernest Childress.
Mrs. Owens was a member of St. Andrews Methodist Church in Easley.
Graveside services were held Sept. 19 at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Owens family.
FRANCES E. ADAMS
PICKENS — Frances E. Adams, 76, wife of the late Cothran L. Adams, passed away Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, at Spring Park Assisted Living in Travelers Rest.
Mrs. Adams was a born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Lois Waldrop and John Wiley Ellison Sr.
Mrs. Adams was a member of Pickens Independent Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Mike Adams (Sara Lee) of Pickens and Hugh Adams (Lisa) of Travelers Rest; four grandchildren, David Adams, Mike Adams (Tonya), Keylan Hawkins (Jeremy) and Coby Adams; and one great-granddaughter. Lila Hawkins. Mrs. Adams was predeceased by her husband, parents and two brothers.
Funeral services were held Sept. 17 at Pickens Independent Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.
A special thanks to the staff of Spring Park Assisted Living and Mary Epps with Lutheran Hospice. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Adams family.
SARAH M. WILLIAMS
EASLEY — Sarah Margaret Williams, 92, passed away Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.
Born in Pickens County, the daughter of the late Harmon Odell and Grace Mauldin Williams, Sarah was a graduate of Easley High School and Draughn’s Business College. She was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in WWII, and was an insurance officer with the Federal government. Sarah was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Surviving are a sister-in-law, Mildred Williams of Easley; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Sarah was predeceased by two brothers, Harmon O. Williams Jr. and Charles M. Williams, and a sister, Nancy Hammond.
Graveside services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the St. Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends immediately following the graveside service at the graveside.
Family members are at their respective homes.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2513 Brushy Creek Road, Easley, SC 29642.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
LILA R. BOLDING
SIX MILE — Lila Ruth Hunter Bolding, 89, of Bolding Drive, wife of the late Garvin A. “Shorty” Bolding, passed away Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015.
Born in Cashiers, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Kirby and Lila Stone Hunter.
Mrs. Bolding was retired from Six Mile Town Hall. She was formerly employed with Stanley Home Products for 30 years and the Oconee Nuclear Station for several years. She was a member of Gap Hill Baptist Church and attended Mile Creek Baptist Church for the past 30 years.
Surviving are her sons, Colie Bolding (Margaret) and Billy Bolding (Pat), all of Six Mile; two grandsons; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Ella Stancil of Easley; and three nieces, Pam Bearden (James), Melody Mauldin (Ronnie) and Mona Manley (Sammy).
In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a sister, Jeannette Chapman.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, at 3 p.m. in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311 or www.diabetes.org.
The family will be at their respective homes. Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
SHARON BROWN
ANDERSON — Sharon Diane Kimbrough Brown, 61, of 1431 Amity Road, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, at her home.
Born in Greenville, she was a daughter of the late Lloyd Rex and Mary Ellen Henson Kimbrough.
Surviving are a daughter, Tami Barnes, and her husband, Kevin, of Liberty; a sister, Ellen Simmons of Easley; two brothers, Johnny and Lloyd Kimbrough, both of Greenville; three grandchildren, Halli Walls and her husband Jamie, Kendra and Channing Barnes; and three great-grandchildren, Rayleigh, Adaleigh and Waylon.
A memorial service to honor the life of Ms. Brown was held Sept. 29 at McFall’s Landing.
Liberty Mortuary and Cremation Services is handling arrangements.
MINNIE EDWARDS
LIBERTY — Minnie Lou Smith Edwards, 100, of Liberty, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015.
Born in Walhalla, she was the widow of George Clinton Edwards Sr., and a daughter of the late James Albert and Lena Reid Smith.
She retired from Swirl and attended Bethany Church of God.
Surviving are two sons, George Wilbur Edwards of Liberty and George Clinton Edwards of Pickens; a daughter, Maxine Clardy of Liberty; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was the last survivor of her immediate family. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a son, Larry Clinton Edwards, and a daughter, Lou Ann Edwards.
Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Edwards will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel, with burial at Liberty Memorial Gardens.
Memorials are requested to Interim Healthcare Hospice, 155 Deacon Tiller Court, Duncan, SC 29334.
Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
GRACE C. LACKEY
EASLEY— Grace Crum Lackey, 88, of Easley, passed away Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, at her home.
Born in Greenville County and raised in the Arial community of Easley, she was the daughter of the late James Edgar and Georgia Ellen Ross Crum.
Mrs. Lackey dedicated her life to serving God and caring for others. She was a member of Arial United Methodist Church and former member of Red Hill Baptist Church.
Surviving are her daughters, Nita Stephens, Kay Cooper and her husband, Greg, and Tammy Lackey, all of Pickens; grandchildren, Andy Stephens, Amanda Grace Cooper and Ryan Cooper; a great-granddaughter, Lily Grace Stephens; a son of the heart, Mike; a brother, Ross Crum (Peggy), and a sister, Lucile Lesley, all of Easley.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by brothers, Richard Crum and Leonard Crum; and sisters, Elizabeth Greer and Evelyn Bagwell.
A service to celebrate Mrs. Lackey’s life was held Sept. 6 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial following in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.
Flowers are accepted, or memorials may be made to Country Santa, P.O. Box 856 Pickens, SC 29671.
Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Daniel wins injury-shortened game
By Rocky Nimmons
Publisher
rnimmons@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — There are instances in sports where the game gets put on[cointent_lockedcontent]
John Bolton/BoltonPhoto.com
Daniel’s Jaelon Reese takes down a Palmetto ballcarrier during the Lions’ 37-7 win over the Mustangs on Friday night at Singleton Field. After Palmetto took an early lead, the Daniel defense turned up the pressure and held the Mustangs to just 60 yards of total offense in the dominating win, the program’s 500th all-time victory.
the back burner, when life and doing the right thing are bigger than competition.
Those in attendance on Friday night at Singleton Field in Central saw one of those moments that transcends the game.
With a little more than six minutes to play, the Daniel Lions and Palmetto Mustangs came together at midfield to say a prayer. The moment was emotional. The moment was spiritual. The moment will be remember for years to come.
The Lions were in command, up 37-7, when Palmetto’s Austin Lowe sustained a devastating injury on the Mustang sideline after taking a hit. The game was stopped and the stadium grew silent in fears for the worst. After nearly 30 minutes of treatment, an ambulance came onto the field, as doctors, trainers and coaches bunched up around the fallen player.
At that moment, something remarkable occurred, as the entire Lions team grouped together and marched across the field, gathering the Palmetto team at midfield, where all the players kneeled in prayer for the fallen player.
As Lowe was loaded into the ambulance, the coaches gathered and agreed to end the game. A single second was put on the clock, and as it ticked away, the final score of the game was an afterthought to the great sportsmanship displayed by the two teams and good wishes for Lowe.
“Nobody wants to see any injury,” Daniel head coach Randy Robinson said. “That one scared everybody in the stadium. I am just thankful that the initial reports, as he left the stadium in the ambulance, were positive. The doctors took good care of him and got him stabilized, so hopefully he will be OK.
“I have never been more proud of my boys than when I turned around and saw them in the middle of the field praying for a guy they don’t even know. The cared enough for him to pray for him. I really appreciated that.”
Before the emotional end, the Lions played their best game of the season. The Daniel offense amassed 342 yards of offense, most of which came on the ground, as the Lions’ defense produced a textbook performance, holding a good Mustang offense to only 60 yards.
The 37-7 victory marked the 500th win in school history at Daniel, but it didn’t look like it was going to be so lopsided at the start.
On the game’s first snap Daniel sophomore quarterback Ben Batson was stripped of the ball, with the Mustangs recovering deep in Lion territory.
Taking over at the 10, Palmetto pushed the ball into the end zone on a five-play drive thanks to one-yard run by Mustang quarterback Shaw Crocker with 9:29 to play in the first quarter. Crocker also added the PAT to give Palmetto the early 7-0 lead.
The Lions looked like they were in for a fight. The early turnover seemed to fire up the Mustangs, and they came out and forced the Lions to punt quickly the next time Robinson’s troops had the ball.
Taking over at its own 28-yard line after the Justin Craig punt, Palmetto was moving the ball again. The Mustangs marched 46 yards in 11 plays down to the Daniel 24, but that was all as the Lion defense rose up and held on a fourth and six. In the first two series, Palmetto mustered 56 yards, but amazingly the Lion defense held them to only four yards of offense the rest of the game.
“We are starting to show some resiliency, playing together,” Robinson said. “We turned it over and give up a touchdown by putting the defense in a bad spot. Our defense from there on out was awfully good.
“I am so proud of our defense. We have been close defensively. Tonight we put it all together. Last week was a good shutout, don’t get me wrong. Tonight we played a quality opponent. They have some guys that can go, and we shut them down.”
The Lions got rolling on their next possession and pushed the ball down to the Palmetto 10 before the drive stalled. Kicker Rivers Sherrill came on and nailed a 27-yard field goal to give his team three points with 11:06 to play in the half.
The Columbia blue and gold got into the end zone on their next possession, putting together a seven-play, 61-yard drive. Running back Stephon Kirksey set the tone, blasting 30 yards on first down. Kirksey had the best game of his career, mounting 141 yards on 25 carries on the night, along with two touchdowns. The touchdown came on an eight-yard run by Batson, behind some tremendous blocking by his offensive line.
Sherrill tacked on the PAT with 6:33 to play in the half, and the rout was on as Daniel went up 10-7.
The defense continued to dominate and forced a turnover on the next Mustang series. It looked like a pick-six for the Lions, but a block in the back on the return brought the Daniel offense back out with the ball at the Palmetto 34.
The minor setback didn’t slow the Lions, as Batson got 22 yards on first down. The play was followed by a pair of Kirksey runs, the first for nine yards and the second for the final three and a touchdown. Sherrill aced the extra point, and the Lions were up 17-7 just 64 seconds after their last touchdown.
Palmetto just couldn’t handle the Lion defense, and again it was a three-and-out for the Mustangs.
Robinson’s team took the Palmetto punt and put the ball in play at the Mustang 35. Batson found Jacob Wichelns for nine yards. Then it was Kirksey for 15. A bad snap cost the Lions eight yards on play number three, but the mistake was made up for when Batson took the next snap and raced 19 yards for a touchdown. Sherrill’s PAT was blocked, and the half ended with the Lions out front 23-7.
In the second half, it was more of the same, the Lions’ stifling defense kept the pressure on and gave their offense short fields to work with.
The Lions scored the first time they had the ball after the intermission on a seven-play, 46-yard drive that was capped by a seven-yard touchdown run by Kirksey with 7:35 to play. Sherrill nailed the PAT, and the Lions led 30-7.
The Lions managed one more drive before the game was called. The series lasted 12 plays and went 75 yards. Back up running back Marniellius Cobb got the final call and went in from a yard out with 50 seconds left to five the Lions a 37-7 lead that held up for a win.
“Our offense felt like we could wear them down,” Robinson said. “We obviously didn’t throw the ball as well as we expected to, but I’ll tell you what — the running game was great tonight.”
Like Kirksey, Batson had a career game. The quarterback showed his ability to run with 60 yards and two touchdowns.
“They gave us a few things with the quarterback because they kept chasing Stephon,” Robinson said. “I told the guys on the sidelines, ‘we have to get whatever they give us and take advantage of it.’”
This Friday, the Lions will be seeking revenge when Wren comes to Singleton Field. Last year, Daniel went from first to fourth place in the Western AAA when a single play changed the outcome of the battle between the two schools, as a fumble that was called a spiked pass caused the Lions to fall to the Hurricanes.
“I sure hope our team has a chip on their shoulder and remember last year’s game,” Robinson said. “That was a sickening feeling to lose the region on one bad call, so I am hoping our guys will be fired up at practice next week.”
Robinson knows the Hurricanes will be talented and the game will be won or lost on the field.
“Wren has a quarterback that can run and throw it around,” Robinson said. “They have a receiver that is probably all-region, so our defense will have a big challenge again on Friday. I’m excited to see them take on the challenge.”
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Raiders top Easley in region opener
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
LAURENS — After an open week to prepare, Easley went on the road[cointent_lockedcontent]
Tommy McGaha/Courier
Easley’s Will Drawdy, seen here trying to shrug off a Wren tackler during their game earlier this month, scored a game-tying touchdown on a 72-yard pass at Laurens on Friday night, but the Raiders pulled away for a 27-14 win.
to Laurens to open its Region I-AAAA schedule on Friday night, but crucial mistakes plagued the Green Wave in a 27-14 loss.
Easley outgained the Raiders offensively — racking up 434 yards compared to Laurens’ 420 — but four lost fumbles, turnovers on downs and penalties doomed the Green Wave.
After battling back from a 14-0 deficit to tie the game in the third quarter, Easley had a golden opportunity to claim its first lead after the Green Wave defense recovered a Laurens fumble two plays later. However, Easley’s drive stalled at the Laurens 22-yard line, where the Wave turned the ball over on downs.
After Laurens responded with a one-play touchdown drive but missed an extra point, Easley again had a prime opportunity to take the lead, but another drive into Raider territory ended on downs after a first down and goal from the 10-yard line ended up in a fourth down and goal from the 30-yard line due to a penalty and two quarterback sacks.
The Raiders again scored on the very next play, and Easley missed another chance to put points on the board when Carter Wiles caught a long pass from Dalton Black but had the ball knocked from his grasp and go out of bounds in the end zone, giving Laurens the ball with a touchback.
Easley’s last possession of the game also ended in a turnover on downs.
In addition to the lost fumbles and turnovers on downs, the Wave were penalized 13 times for 100 yards in the game.
Laurens opened the scoring in the first quarter when Kezario Whitmore found the end zone from four yards out. Irvin Angeles’ extra point gave the Raiders a 7-0 lead with 7:10 to play in the first.
Whitmore, who finished the night with 153 receiving yards on six catches, got the Raiders on the board again in the second quarter on a 24-yard pass from Toby Jackson with 11:11 to play in the opening half, putting Laurens up 14-0.
Bralan Fuller finally got the Green Wave on the board on a 27-yard reception from Black in the final offensive minute of the first half. The extra point attempt was blocked, leaving the Green Wave trailing 14-6 at halftime.
Easley knotted the game at 14-14 on its second possession of the third quarter when Will Drawdy caught a pass from Black and sprinted 72 yards for a touchdown with 4:44 left on the clock. Black hooked up with Wiles for the game-tying two-point conversion.
After Laurens fumbled the ball back to Easley and the Green Wave came up short on a fourth-down play at the Raider 22-yard line, Laurens regained the lead for good when Jackson hooked up with Whitmore for a 78-yard touchdown with 1:59 to play in the third quarter. Angeles’ PAT attempt was no good, giving Laurens a 20-14 lead and leaving the door open for the Wave.
Easley drove to the Raiders’ red zone before being pushed back and failing on a fourth and goal from the 30-yard line, and Laurens struck quickly again, with D.Q. Floyd taking a handoff 70 yards to paydirt on the first play of the next series. Floyd finished the night with 155 yards on 17 carries.
Easley’s final chance to come back came when Black connected with Wiles for a short pass that appeared to transform into a long touchdown, but before Wiles reached the end zone, Laurens’ Zed Anderson knocked the ball out of his possession and out the back of the end zone for a touchback.
The teams had differing offensive philosophies, as Easley aired the ball out, with Black completing 17 of 33 passes for 368 yards and the Raiders running 43 times for 262 yards, but the crucial mistakes made the difference in the game.
Leading receivers for the Green Wave were Wiles with seven catches for 150 yards, Drawdy with two catches for 102 yards, and Fuller with five catches for 94 yards.
With the loss, Easley will now travel to T.L. Hanna looking for its first region win on Friday night.
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Devils stumble in home region loss
By Jimmy Kirby
Courier Sports
jkirby@thepccourier.com
LIBERTY — Freshman quarterback Peyton Kemmerlin threw for 178[cointent_lockedcontent]
Brandy Karr/Photo
Liberty’s Shaun Karr finds running room against Landrum on Friday night.
yards and two touchdowns to lead his Landrum Cardinal squad to a 19-14 victory over the Liberty Red Devils in the second region game of the season for both teams on Friday night.
Liberty coughed the ball up three times on fumbles on a cool and windy night with drizzle at times to stop key drives in the game.
Red Devils coach Kyle Stewart said following the game the turnovers were a huge part of the troubles his team faced in the region matchup.
“We can’t continue to turn the ball over by fumbles or interceptions and expect to win,” Stewart said.
The Red Devils had a good drive going on their first possession, as they marched from their own 33-yard line to the Cardinal 30-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Liberty was steady on the ground game on its first drive before the Landrum defense shut the door on consecutive plays. Easton Jenkins and Stanley Belue-Taylor both came up with tackles for loss for the Landrum defense to stall the Red Devil drive.
The Cardinals got on the board first when speedy Anthony Anderson busted loose for a 42-yard touchdown run around right end for a 7-0 Cardinal lead with 3:47 remaining in the first quarter.
The Red Devils got near midfield on their next drive, but Eddy Mathis coughed up the ball at his own 45-yard line, and Dalton Kuykendall recovered the loose ball for the Cardinals. This time, the Red Devil defense turned up the heat and stopped the Cardinals on downs at the Liberty 24-yard line.
The Red Devils then marched 76 yards in nine plays to knot the score at 7-7 with 8:38 remaining until halftime. Mathis had gains of 12, 5 and 15 yards, while Tyler Renaud had a big gain of 26 yards on the drive. Austin Hughey found Brayden Shirley in the back of the end zone for a three-yard scoring toss and Liberty’s first touchdown pass of the season.
Landrum then scored on consecutive drives to go up 19-7 at halftime. Kemmerlin connected with Anderson for a 29-yard scoring strike and then found Jackson Kelly for 39 yard on his next touchdown pass.
The Red Devils turned ball over once more between the Cardinal touchdown drives. This time, Renaud put the ball on the ground, and Landrum’s Johnny Sherman recovered the ball at the Cardinal 46-yard line.
The Red Devils came out determined to right the ship in the second half. They were crisp running the ball, as Kris Murphy had four consecutive carries and gained 13, 7, 10 and 5 yards. Renaud then gained another 10 yards to the Cardinal 18-yard line. Six plays later, Renaud scored from six yards out to cut the Landrum lead to 19-14 and provide the final scoring play of the game.
The Liberty defense stiffened in the second half, limiting the Cardinal offense to just 15 yards of offense. Deandre Mansell sacked Kemmerlin good for a 15-yard loss on a fourth-down play to put the Red Devils back in business.
The Red Devil offense couldn’t take advantage of the good play by their defense, as they turned the ball over on downs and lost another fumble. This time, Nick Reeves’ fumble at the Landrum 45-yard line was recovered by Johnny Martin.
A personal foul call against the Red Devils ended one drive in the fourth quarter.
Cole Murphy intercepted Kemmerlin at the Liberty 15-yard line with 3:39 remaining in the game. The Red Devils then had one last gasp to try to go 85 yards for the go-ahead score, but it wasn’t meant to be. They got as far as midfield before they turned the ball over on downs with 15 seconds remaining on the clock.
Renaud led all rushers in the game with 113 yards on 17 carries. Kris Murphy added 95 yards on 18 carries. Anderson added 81 yards on nine carries on the ground to lead Landrum.
The Red Devils’ duo of Hughey and Reeves were a combined 4-for-10 passing in the game for 29 yards. Both finished 2-for-5 through the air, while Hughey tossed the touchdown to Shirley.
Total offense was almost even, as the Red Devils held a slight advantage, gaining 310 yards of total offense to the Cardinals’ 299.
Kevin Tabron and Aaron Bates led the Red Devil defense with six tackles each in the game. The Red Devils also had one sack, one interception and four tackles for loss in the strong second-half effort.
With the loss, Liberty is now 1-4 overall and 0-2 in region play. The Devils will travel to take on Chesnee in the longest road trip of the season on Friday. The Eagles are rebuilding after a strong season in 2014 but are always tough to play at home.
The Red Devils will need to keep the focus on moving the ball and getting some yards through the air if they are to be successful. Playing catch up and only being able to run the ball is not the best recipe for success.
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Pickens defense shuts out Warriors
By Eugene Jolley
Courier Sports
ejolley@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Playing their best overall game of the season, the Pickens Blue Flame picked up their first region win of the year in a 38-0 thrashing of the West-Oak Warriors on Friday night.[cointent_lockedcontent]
TommyMcGaha/seeyourphotohere.com
Pickens’ Adam Thomas gets into the open field against West-Oak on Friday night. Thomas had just five runs for 21 yards against the Warriors, but scored two touchdowns.
The game was anything but boring though, as Blue Flame head coach John Boggs was ejected in the closing seconds of the first half after back-to-back unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The flags came after the side judge ruled a pass in the middle of the field was incomplete, despite Isaiah Ferguson having the ball cuffed in his arms and despite the umpire and back judge marking it as a catch.
“I was proud of these kids,” Boggs said. “We work hard and we play hard. I will always fight hard for these kids, and I’ll leave it at that. I thought we put it on the line tonight, and I thought we played our tails off. I felt like we did some really good things.
“And I’ll never apologize for standing up for my team. It’s unfortunate. I’ve been coaching for 22 years and never been thrown out of a football game, but that’s the way it happens.”
The defense was the story of the night in picking up its second shutout win of the season. West-Oak was held to just 76 yards of total offense and only managed three first downs, the first coming with five minutes left in the game.
“I was very pleased with our effort,” Boggs said. “I thought we got a little sloppy there in the second quarter. I thought we did a good job of throwing the ball. I thought the offensive line did a good job. I thought Tanner Stegall ran the ball well. Obviously Gunner (Covey) ran the ball well. Brandon Batson popped in and had some big runs as well. Adam Thomas got some big runs for us down there in the red zone.
“I felt like we were able to get in a rhythm early, and that was very important. Defensively, they were lights out all night. And Matt Gravely continues to keep people backed up with his leg. Even when they had the threat after the big kickoff return, the defense bowed their necks and kept them out of the end zone. And then there late, I was proud of them and proud of their effort.”
The defense was led by the senior trio up front of Tyler Gravely, Ridge Clark and Renny Croley. Clark had six stops at noseguard, including five in the backfield, with one sack. Gravely had six stops, three for loss and a fumble recovery, and tipped a pass that was intercepted. Croley, playing both ways, had four stops, including one for loss. They kept pressure on West-Oak quarterback Brandon Smith.
“They could do that every week if they want to,” Boggs said. “I thought they did a great job.”
On the first possession of the night, Pickens held the Warriors, with Clark teaming with Gravely for a four-yard loss on second down. The offense took advantage, driving to the 20, where Matt Gravely hit a 37-yard field goal with 6:42 left in the first quarter.
Clark had a tackle for loss and another stop on the next series, and Bryson Capps pressured a bad pass, forcing a punt. Capps got a piece of the punt, which only went 17 yards.
Pickens took advantage of the short field, driving 43 yards in two plays. Quarterback Tanner Stegall kept for 33 yards, and then Gunner Covey went the final 10 around the left side with 4:44 left in the first quarter.
Following another short punt of eight yards, the Blue Flame again struck quickly, scoring five seconds into the second quarter on Adam Thomas’ four-yard run behind the left side. Gravely stayed perfect on point-after kicks, making it 17-0.
The Blue Flame had to punt on the next possession and appeared to be driving for a score on the next, but a fumble gave it back to the Warriors. Thomas then came up with back-to-back pass breakups forcing another punt.
That’s when things got wild. Stegall kept for 22, and Covey ripped off a big run. However, Pickens was called for three questionable holding calls on receivers behind the play. The Blue Flame reached the Warriors’ 20 before Pickens was called for illegal contact to the helmet. Eventually, on second and 31, Stegall fired for Ferguson, who made a low catch and roll and came up with the ball clutched in his arms. Even though the back judge and umpire ruled it a catch in the middle of the field, the side judge on the Warriors’ side, 30 yards away, said it was incomplete.
Boggs was naturally upset with the call.
“Hats off to my coaches for having my back right there in the second half,” Boggs said. “I appreciate them stepping up and going and the kids coming out and getting after it in the second half.”
“I hated it came to that. It’s a little embarrassing. I’m never going to apologize for fighting for them. We spend way too much time. This is our livelihood. This is what we do. I see these kids work too hard through the offseason and the preseason, and through practice every day, and to battle back from adversity, seeing them get out here and get each other’s back. I just want to stick up for them when I get the opportunity.”
The second half was more of the same for Pickens. Gravely did miss a 51-yard attempt into a strong wind on the first drive, but the defense got it right back, as Tyler Gravely tipped Smith’s pass and Clay Adcox picked it off and returned it to the Warriors’ 3-yard line. Covey took it the final three, making it 24-0 with 7:02 left in the third quarter.
Adcox, unfortunately, severely injured his ankle on the ensuing kickoff, when Smith returned it 73 yards, with Robert Jones saving the score.
The defense kept up the pressure, however, and when Smith fumbled three plays later, Tyler Gravely recovered to end the threat.
Pickens scored with 11:04 left when Thomas took a toss sweep left three yards, following a questionable West-Oak pass interference penalty.
Corbin Hinkle later tipped another Warriors punt of 14 yards and set up a final Blue Flame score. Stegall hit Ferguson on a stop-and-go route for 31 yards, as the defender wasn’t within 20 yards of him.
West-Oak made one final threat. Smith had a long run, and Pickens was hit with another questionable penalty. The Warriors reached the 15 before the defense stiffened. Croley had a tackle for loss on first down. Clark sacked Smith on second. Smith got stopped for no gain by Croley and a fourth-down pass under heavy duress fell incomplete.
Pickens will play at Walhalla on Friday night. It was supposed to be a homecoming of sorts for Boggs, who was head coach for eight years there, but the ejection may mean he has to sit out.
“Right now, I probably won’t get to go,” Boggs said. “I will have to look and see what the high school league rules are. We’ll enjoy this one right now and worry about that one this coming week.
“I was there eight years. I still live there now, trying to sell my house and move here. Eight good years — my two youngest kids were born over there. My wife still works over at the middle school, and the kids go there. It’s a special place and has a special place in our lives for a long time. We’re here now and we’re Blue Flame, and we’re ready to go battle for a region win. We know it will be tough, because they always play everyone tough at home in their new stadium.”
Notes: The 2015 Pickens High School Athletic Hall of Fame Class welcomed three new members Friday night. Coach Bob Allison, Marion Dukes and Janna Webb White were inducted at halftime. White joins her brother, R.J. Webb, as a member of the Hall of Fame.
Walhalla has a new school and stadium, located on S.C. Highway 11 between Salem and Walhalla. Friday night’s game will be aired on WGOG-FM 101.7 with Jimmy Watt and Jeff Underwood providing coverage.
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My computer’s chemical imbalance
Last week was occupied by travel and relative visiting in a 1,000-mile
trek. Actually, for the sake of accuracy, it was 958 miles, but 1,000 miles sounds like a lot more.
[cointent_lockedcontent]Due to some identity problems with my laptop (it refuses to operate as a laptop and will only work when physically attached), it was unable to go with me.
This wasn’t a concern on the trip, as my phone accompanied me, so sending and receiving emails was still going to happen.
Surprise, surprise. Disaster struck. Although receiving emails wasn’t a problem, there was no way to send them. This occurred between Charlotte and Fayetteville for absolutely no reason within my ability to comprehend.
Eight days later, upon returning home, I discovered my computer had drastically altered. It had developed an alternate personality during my absence. How can this be? Clearly my computer is suffering from schizophrenia. I checked to see if any of the scuppernong wine was missing, but it was all there. It has to be a chemical imbalance.
And it may not be suffering alone.
It is disturbing to find the search engine that you’re perfectly happy with replaced. Also, my home page has been replaced, and accessing email accounts is a complicated process taking up to five minutes. There are also some password problems.
In addition, my computer tells me I no longer have a printer, and the print icon has disappeared from my desktop.
When an attempt to reload the printer was made, the computer wouldn’t allow it.
When an attempt to replace the new search engine with the old one was made, the computer blocked it. The same thing happened when an attempt was made to restore the home page.
Every morning I fear turning on my computer. What will it do next? If it is capable, as it clearly is, of making decisions without human input, it could take over our home.
We may not be able to choose the programs we want to watch on TV. The car may not want to take me where I want to go.
It may decide to stop going to the grocery store or the post office.
Or maybe the computer will decide we don’t need to drive at all and will lock down the ignition.
What if it blocks our phone calls?
We’ll be isolated from humans and will be completely controlled by a small rectangular piece of equipment holding all the cards.
We’ve heard about how power corrupts and how unlimited power leads to total corruption.
The computer was left alone at home too long and began making decisions on its own. With no supervision, it decided to rule the world, one family at a time.
And before you dismiss this as pure fantasy, give it some thought. How can we keep these things from happening? Stay alert. You could be next.
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Letters to the Editor 9-30-15
A village can prevail
Dear Editor,
There has been a lot of talk — and some of it has been written — about the senseless killings of two innocent men who were not harming anyone. The men I am speaking of, of course, are Bill Isaacs and Dickie Stewart. I did not know Mr. Stewart, but Bill Isaacs talked with me endlessly with a humble sound in his voice about how to raise my fish.
I read in the newspaper that it is not illegal to discharge a firearm in the county jurisdiction of Pickens. I will ask, why?
Bullets have no eyes, but people have eyes, as well as a voice, but instead of talking about it, do something about it.
There are people to talk to to get laws passed, and a good start is with our elected officials. There is also the voting system. If the elected officials don’t do their jobs, make a change come voting time.
In my criminal justice classes, the instructor talked a lot about probable cause. Believe me, I am not kicking the responding officers, because all of them have a very tough job and a very fine line to walk, but I cannot for the life of me believe that in the technology of today and the sharp eyes of a good officer that the criminal could outsmart any of them. It takes a smart criminal to look a good officer in the eye and be a liar. Surely, there had to be probably cause for an arrest before it came to what happened.
I live in a restricted subdivision in Dacusville, and in March 2009, a new tenant moved into the only rental home and decided he could target practice with a high-powered rifle. He was asked by one person to stop shooting, because there is no way to point a gun without it being pointed toward a home, but he didn’t listen. In April 2009, I was working in my yard when he started shooting, so I yelled at him three times to stop. The third time, he told me to “shut your **** mouth.”
I went into my house and called the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and told the dispatcher what was going on. Then-Captain Dewey Smith responded to my call, and after listening to the shots being fired, he drove to the man’s yard. I did not hear what the man said to Captain Smith or vice versa, but the man did not spend that night at home. Maybe we were lucky or maybe the time was 2009, but all it took was one call and one good officer.
I will say again — people, stop talking and start doing. Sometimes it does take a village.
Genell Stewart-Mull
Dacusville
Annual Pumpkin Fest just around the corner
PUMPKINTOWN — Fall is here again, and thousands of visitors will descend upon the 37th annual Pumpkin Festival in Pumpkintown on Saturday Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
[cointent_lockedcontent]This is the time of year to enjoy a wonderful fall day in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains while taking advantage of some outstanding shopping, music, and food.
Thousands flock to Pumpkintown for the town’s annual early-fall Pumpkin Festival, enjoying fall weather and beautiful arts, crafts, music and food. Above, Kinsley Simmons, daughter of Pumpkintown resident Stacey Simmons, plays with a pumpkin during a past festival.
The festival will kick off at 9 a.m. with the parade from the Pumpkintown Fire Department to the Oolenoy Community Building, located at 5301 Dacusville Highway. The parade is always a treat to behold — you never know who or what will be in it.
After the parade, the Pickens High School ROTC will hold a flag-raising ceremony, and then the fun and games will begin, and continue until 5 p.m.
This year’s festival will feature more than 150 arts and crafts vendors, who will be displaying and selling products that are all handmade, or homemade — no commercial products are accepted at the festival.
There will be food available throughout the festival grounds and inside the Oolenoy Building. There will be burgers, hot dogs, sausage dogs, barbecue, fried pies, fried fish, barbecued chicken and homemade ice cream, in addition to the numerous baked goods available around the perimeter of the community building. The famous barbecued chicken plates will be available around 11:30 a.m.
Bluegrass/gospel music and clogging will be featured throughout the day, so bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy these events.
Amusement rides for children will be available on the back side of the festival grounds. Cotton candy and kettle corn will be offered in the children’s area.
Raffle tickets for the festival quilt can be purchased inside the community building. The quilt, which is given away every year, was designed and quilted by Susie Flowers. The tickets are $1 each, or six for $5. The drawing will be held around 4 p.m. You do not have to be present to win.
Pumpkins of all sizes will be available for purchase at the entrance to the community building. TD Bank will have a tent set up with paints available for children to dress up their pumpkins. The pumpkin pile is also a popular spot for parents to take pictures of their kids.
The festival is free and open to the public. Handicapped parking is available in the Oolenoy Baptist Church parking lot, and golf carts will be available to shuttle folks to and from the festival grounds.
No pets will be allowed on the festival grounds, other than service animals.
The festival is sponsored and organized by the Pumpkintown Community Club and raises money for community projects that benefit many area organizations. The festival is also funded in part by the Pickens County Accommodations Tax.
For more information on the festival or the Oolenoy Community Building, contact Susie Flowers at (864) 898-0261 or Bob Flowers (864) 884-2671.
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Clusters for Kids Oyster Roast to help county Guardian ad Litem program
EASLEY — The Friends of Pickens County Guardian ad Litem are planning the second annual Clusters for Kids Oyster Roast and Silent Auction in late October.
Community sponsors and supporters have come together for the second year to support the maltreated children of our community.
“The needs of abused and neglected children in Pickens County have never been higher.,” said FOPCGAL board member Baker Cleveland, an assistant 13th Circuit solicitor. “Please join me and the board in doing all we can to see those needs are met this year and for years to come. By supporting and attending our Oyster Roast, you are supporting an all-volunteer organization that makes a difference, and we promise you’ll have a great time in the process.”
The event is set for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Arran Farm, located at 820 Lenhardt Road in Easley.
The night includes an oyster roast, Southern-style buffet, beer, wine, music, corn hole competitions and more, but the highlight of the evening will be a silent auction, with more than 100 items to bid on, including rounds of golf at some of the Upstate’s best courses, sports memorabilia from South Carolina’s finest athletes, jewelry, condo rental and much more.
Ticket prices are $50 individually and $90 per couple, with a limited number of tickets available at the door for $75 each. Tickets may be purchased online at friendspcgal.org, from board members or at Appalachian Ale House, Nalley’s Furniture, Pickens Chamber of Commerce, Pickens County Guardian ad Litem, Town and Country Florist and Upstate School Spirit.
Proceeds for the evening will go to the Friends of Pickens County Guardian ad Litem program, which has been providing financial assistance to neglected and abused children since 2002.
For more information, contact Tammy Clark at (864) 506-0737 or via email at chair@friendspcal.org.
‘Rainbow of Quilts’ coming to Pickens
PICKENS — More than 150 quilted items will be on display at “A Rainbow of Quilts,” the biennial quilt show sponsored by the UpCountry Quilters Guild and scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3, at Pickens View Wesleyan Church in Pickens.
Show hours on Friday are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Quilt show chairman Gayle Duncan expects entries to include miniatures, large quilts, art quilts, wall hangings, and miscellaneous quilted items made by members of the guild.
Connie Brown, Certified Appraiser and Quilt Show Judge, will judge the entries prior to the show and prize ribbons will be pinned on the winning entries.
Also, visitors will be asked to vote for their favorite quilt which will receive the Viewers’ Choice Award.
A modern-styled “presentation quilt” stitched by guild members will be on display. Chances will be sold, a drawing will be held, and the queen-sized quilt will go home with some lucky winner at the close of the show.
The show also will have a silent auction where visitors may bid on quilted items made by members of the guild. The show also will feature a number of vendors, a fat quarter basket drawing, door prizes and a “Second Time Around” booth filled with gently used quilt-related items for sale, including books, tools and fabric.
Pickens View Wesleyan Church is located at 744 Bethlehem Ridge Road, just off Highway 8 between Easley and Pickens.
Hours on Friday October 2 are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday October 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5.00.
Call (864) 944-2750 for more information.
