Monthly Archives: September 2015
Gilstrap honored with Quilt of Valor
With his children and family members present, Ernest Gaines Gilstrap, Seamen Second Class USS Massachusetts U.S. Navy (1942-1945) was awarded the Quilt of Valor for WWII veterans on Aug. 22 in 
Liberty. Anne Medlin (member of the Quilt of Valor Anderson) presented him with this very unique quit designed especially for him. The quilt was very special to Medlin because her father, James Day, had served with Gilstrap aboard the USS Massachusetts from (1942-1945). Gilstrap was born July 7, 1927, to the late William Henry and Elsie Akin Gilstrap in Liberty. He tells the story of being a young mischievous teenager, and at the age of 15 and two months, he revised his birth certificate to show he was 17, which was the minimum age for enlistment for the Navy. When he finished bootcamp in Norfolk, Va., he went aboard the USS Massachusetts in Casco Bay, Maine, on Oct. 24, 1942. The next day they weighed anchor for the invasion of North Africa at Casablanca. The Massachusetts was hit three times by enemy fire with little damage and no loss of life. The ship and crew were awarded the battle star for the European/African theater of war and battle stars for the Pacific theater of war. As a member of the Naval landing force, he went ashore in Tokyo Bay on Aug. 26, 1945, and helped unarm the Japanise and sailed past the USS Missouri as they were signing the surrender. Gilstrap was honorably discharged in Dec. 20, 1942.
World of Energy to host annual Hunting and Fishing Day
UPSTATE — The World of Energy will host a family event celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday,
Area youth enjoyed the outdoor adventures during last year’s World of Energy National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration. This year’s event will be held on Sept. 26.
Sept. 26. This free, family adventure is open to the public and held on the grounds at the World of Energy.
Guests will have the opportunity to try new events, such as rock wall climbing, and enjoy favorites from past years such as air rifles, fly tying and casting, kayaking and fishing on Lake Keowee and a variety of other hands-on activities.
“This is one of our favorite events for the community each year,” said B.J. Gatten, manager of the World of Energy. “It is a safe, fun way for families to enjoy the outdoors together.”
National Hunting and Fishing Day is made possible by partnerships with the South Carolina Department of Natrual Resources (DNR), Cabela’s, Upstate Forever, Trout Unlimited, Clemson University Extension Service, Clemson University 4-H Shooting Sports, South Carolina Wildlife Federation, Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, The Weatherby Foundation, Elkmont Trading Company and Academy Sports and Outdoors.
All activities and parking are completely free and all gear will be provided. A shuttle service will be provided from the marked parking area off S.C. Highway 130 across from the entrance of the World of Energy. Guests can bring their own picnic lunches or purchase food on site.
For more information about the Sept. 26 National Hunting and Fishing Day event, contact Duke Energy’s World of Energy at 1-800-777-1004 or visit www.duke-energy/worldofenergy.com.
Trail Life USA open house set for Sept. 28
SIX MILE — Six Mile Baptist Church is officially chartered with Trail Life USA (TLUSA) as Troop SC-1001. The church will host an informational and membership recruiting meeting for the general public on Monday, September 28 at 7 pm in the Roper Building located at 150 N. Main Street in Six Mile. This meeting is for anyone interested in becoming part of our troop as an adult leader or a youth participant. TLUSA is a Christian outdoor program for boys and young men ages 5-24. For now, SC Troop -1001 will focus on boys, age 5 to 18. The overall program focuses on outdoor adventure, skill building, character, and leadership.
Adult leaders must be at least 18 years old and are required to sign a statement of Christian faith and values, undergo Child and Youth Safety Protection Training, submit to background checks, and provide letters of recommendation from pastors that know the applicants.
The program has an inclusion policy for youth members and welcomes families with boys from all faiths (or no faith) to participate in this unapologetically Christian outdoor adventure program.
Dr. George Kessler is the Troop Master with more than 30 years of experience in outdoor adventure and scouting programs. He leads the weekly meetings and selected nature activities on weekends. The troop meets weekly, four times a month on Monday nights from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in The Roper Building. The troop also schedules a monthly activity; whether skill building, an outdoor adventure trip (hiking, canoeing/kayaking, camping) or a visit to a civic or first responder organization.
For more information about Trail Life USA, please visit the web site at www.traillifeusa.com or call Pastor Ray Longenecker at (864) 506-0410.
PCCTC awarded $10K
Pickens County Career and Technology Center machine technology 
instructor Brian Aiken and students recently accepted a [cointent_lockedcontent]$10,000 check from the Gene Haas Foundation. Presenting the check was Haas Automation Incorporated’s Upstate South Carolina Representative, Gordon Eargle. The designated donation defrays program expenses and provides scholarships for students enrolling in post-secondary manufacturing-based training programs. The Gene Haas Foundation was created by Haas Automation, Incorporated, founder Gene Haas. Haas Automation, founded in 1983, is today recognized as the largest machine tool builder in the western world, manufacturing a complete line vertical and horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes and rotary products, and specialty machines.[/cointent_lockedcontent]
Courier Obituaries 9-23-15
CAROLYN REED DAME
CLEMSON — Carolyn Dame passed quietly the morning of Sept. 14, 2015, after a period of declining health.
[cointent_lockedcontent]Carolyn was born in Hendersonville, N.C., on Sept. 24, 1927, to Lillian Cochran Reed and Elva Clarence Reed, growing up in St. Petersburg, Fla., the second of four sisters. Graduating from Duke University, she became a speech therapist in several school systems in North and South Carolina.
On Aug. 15, 1953, she married Byron Case Dame of Syracuse, N.Y., and together they had many adventures over the next nearly 62 years, residing in Clemson for the last 40 years.
Carolyn was often able to travel throughout the world with Byron during his career, and they continued to travel for pleasure in their retirement, meeting and making friends in many areas throughout the US and Europe.
She enjoyed reading, painting in oils and acrylics, but mostly spending time with friends and family. With a sharp wit, she loved to tease and joke and she will be sorely missed by her children, daughter in-law, grandsons, and other family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her mother and father, and her husband Byron, and survived by her sisters Marian Wright, Pat Patterson (Bill) and Barbara White, son Ron (Jane Robinson) of Asheville, N.C., daughter Elizabeth Dame of Arlington, Va., grandsons James Dame (Erika) and Andrew Dame (Ashley), great-granddaughter, Annabelle, and great-grandson, Forrest.
The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Clemson Downs, AnMed Hospital, Dr. Harry Morse and Dr. Glen Quattlebaum, and P.A. Holly Adams, friends Earl and Scooty Burch, Delores Patterson and Wendell Allen, and more whose names are not coming to mind, but are not forgotten, Thank you.
Memorial services were held Sept. 19 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pendleton, with burial following in the churchyard.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Holy Trinity Church, 193 Old Greenville Hwy, Clemson, SC 29631, or any chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home Central.
RAY CASH
GREENVILLE — Ray Cash of Greenville, husband of the late Sue Nelson Cash, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015.
Born in Oconee County, he was the son of the late John and Rena Cantrell Cash.
Mr. Cash retired from RC Cola Bottling Company at the age of 80 years after 48 years of dedicated service. He was a member of Piedmont Park Baptist Church having served his Lord and Savior there for 56 years.
“Mr. RC” was so loved by everyone he knew and will be remembered always.
Surviving are his sons, John Cash and wife, Susan of Greenville and Jim Harless and wife, Carol of Easley; grandchildren, Steve Harless, Randy Harless, Kristen Cash Pittman and Courtney Cash Driggers; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Vallie Mae Sain of Salem; and a brother, Morris Cash and wife, Betty of Liberty.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by two sisters and six brothers.
Funeral services were held on Sept. 18, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens in Pickens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Piedmont Park Baptist Church, 801 Piedmont Park Rd., Greenville, SC 29609.
Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
NELSON SARGENT
SIX MILE — Thomas Nelson Sargent, 74, of 110 Belle Shoals Road, passed away peacefully, on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, at North Greenville Hospital.
Born in Six Mile, he was the widower of Wanda K. Sargent and a son of the late J.C. and Leila Satterfield Sargent.
He retired from Singer, and throughout his life, he enjoyed making porcelain dolls and handcrafted wooden bowls.
Surviving are four sisters, Adola Galloway (Bill) of Pickens, Ruth Galloway of Seneca, Bonnie Lusk of Pickens, and Ellie Mae McRae of Gastonia, N.C.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Agnes Duncan and Caldonia Hooper, and one brother, John Sargent.
Memorial services to honor the life of Mr. Sargent were held Sept. 21 in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
CHARLES “BUD” ATKINS
EASLEY — Mr. Charles E. “Bud” Atkins, 80, formerly of 111 West 7th Ave., Easley, passed away Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Pickens County, Mr. Atkins was born the son of the late Charlie Wyatt and Zora Mae Suddeth Atkins. He was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving are a sister, Clara “Sudie” Aiken of Easley; and his caretakers of eleven years, Judy and his best buddy David Young. In addition to his parents, Mr. Atkins was predeceased by two sisters, Edna Atkins and Thelma Garrick.
Graveside services were held Sept. 20 at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
LONNIE DALTON
PICKENS — Mr. Walter Lonnie Dalton, 67, passed away Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, at Hosanna Health and Rehab, Piedmont.
Born in Greenville, the son of the late Marvin Riley “Barlow” and Christine Steadman Dalton, Mr. Dalton retired from Show Pro Entertainment as a security officer, was previously employed with Easley Combined Utilities, and the Easley Fire Department where he served as assistant fire chief. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Vietnam War, where he received the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device and the Purple Heart. Lonnie was a member of the Bates Masonic Lodge No. 189 and was a Shriner. He was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving are two sisters, Ann Bayne (Lamar) of Pickens, and Joyce Robinson (Sam) of Seneca; and three grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Dalton was predeceased by a daughter, Andrea Dalton Propes.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road. Interment will follow in the Chapel of Reflections Mausoleum of Robinson Memorial Gardens with military honors.
The family will receive friends from noon until 1:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral home prior to the service.
The family is at the home.
Flowers will be accepted and memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, or by visiting their website at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.
CHARLES FREEMAN TURNER
EASLEY — Mr. Charles Freeman Turner, 72, husband of Ina Mae Fisher Turner, passed away Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, at his home.
Born in Spartanburg County, a son of the late Rev. Robert Earl Turner and the late Ola Kimbrell Turner, Mr. Turner retired from Platt Saco-Lowell and was of the Methodist faith.
Surviving, in addition to his wife of 28 years, are three brothers, James, Furman and Leland Turner; and three sisters, Ruth Hutchinson, Esther Hutchinson and Mary Spencer. In addition to his parents, Mr. Turner was predeceased by a brother, Alvin Turner.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to PruittHealth Hospice-Anderson, 1510 North Fant Street, Anderson, SC 29621, or by visiting their website www.pruitthealth.com.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
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Lions get shutout win at West-Oak
By Rocky Nimmons
Publisher
rnimmons@thepccourier.com
WESTMINSTER — The Daniel Lions were hungry for a victory, and it was painfully obvious the winless West-Oak Warriors were the unlucky team on the menu.
[cointent_lockedcontent]The Lions finally off the snide with an overwhelmingly lopsided 42-0
Rocky Nimmons/Courier
Daniel’s Dante Gilliard fights for yardage during the Lions’ 42-0 road win over West-Oak on Friday night.
win Friday night at Warrior Stadium. The Lions came close to 500 yards of offense and recorded a goose egg with a tough defense to give them their first victory of the season.
“We finally have put some football together,” Daniel coach Randy Robinson said after the game. “Offensively I still think we came out a little slow and a little tentative. Once we got rolling a little bit, we showed that was how we need to be playing football.”
Sophomore quarterback Ben Batson had the best game of his career, passing for 247 yards on an 11-of-20 effort through the air.
“We gave Batson time to make the right reads and get some throws,” Robinson said. “We did a much better job up front.”
The offensive line play also benefited the running game, as the running back corps mounted 204 yards on the ground.
“We rotated backs to maximize what we have got in the back field,” Robinson said. “They are giving us all they have got, and that is all you can ask for.”
But what got Robinson’s attention most was the play of his defense.
“I think I am most proud of that zero on defense,” he said. “The defense played together. The key to defense — and I have coached defense my whole career — is you have to get 11 guys that care enough about each other to do it right. Some guys are getting double-teamed, so somebody else can make a tackle. Sometimes you just have to stay back in coverage when other people are making plays. I saw some evidence of togetherness tonight.”
The Lions came in ready to play from the opening whistle. Taking the opening kickoff and putting the ball in play at the West-Oak 46, Batson went right to the air, finding Jacob Wichelns for 18 yards. Two plays later, Batson showed his legs, picking up 11 yards and a first down. Batson then picked up the Lions’ next set of downs, hitting Dante Gilliard for 10 yards. The touchdown was the result of a five yard blast by runner Marnielius Cobb to cap the eight-play drive. Rivers Sherrill added the extra point, and with 9:37 left in the first, the Lions were up 7-0.
The Lions’ defense was on fire from the start, pounding the Warriors on their opening series and forcing a punt without allowing a first down.
Daniel’s offense was slowed by miscues and penalties on its next two possessions, but on the third, the Lions again took the ball to the house on a five-play drive that covered 64 yards.
Batson was the man as he aired it out with two great passes on the series. The first was a 21-yard toss to Wichelns, and the second a 43-yard rainbow to Carter Groomes for the touchdown with 10:35 left to play in the half. Robinson elected to go for a two-point conversion, but the attempt failed, leaving Daniel with a 13-0 lead.
The Lions’ defense was not about to be overshadowed by the Daniel offense and went to work on pushing the West-Oak offense around on the next series.
The Warriors put the ball into play at their own 27-yard line following Daniel’s ensuing kickoff. There would be no opportunity for positive yardage, as Daniel defensive coordinator Jeff Fruster had his unit dialed in from the start. The Warriors were flagged for holding on first down, then on second down, West-Oak quarterback Brandon Smith was engulfed and sacked for a seven-yard loss back to his own 10-yard line. Smith was in a deep hole and again rolled out to pass on second and 27, but Fruster called a blitz and several Lions were in hot pursuit. Smith scrambled back into his own end zone and had nothing to do but get rid of the ball. The pass didn’t even come close to one of his receivers, and he was flagged for grounding, which resulted in a safety for the Columbia blue and gold with 9:55 left in the half, making the score 15-0 in favor of the visitors.
The Warriors had to kick the ball back to Daniel following the safety, and the Lions went for the jugular on their next series. On second down from the West-Oak 47, Batson once again aired the ball out, hitting Wichelns for a beautiful touchdown. Sherrill tacked on the extra point with 9:01 to play in the first half to push the Lion lead to 21-0.
The big blue machine was firing on all cylinders and added two more touchdowns before intermission. The first was on a 93-yard drive that was again capped with a long touchdown strike. This time Batson hit a wide-open Groomes for a 55-yard touchdown with 3:38 to play in the half. Sherrill again was true on the PAT, and the Lions were up 28-0.
The last score of the half came with just 38 second left. The Warriors didn’t have any answer for Batson’s arm, and the sophomore again used the West-Oak secondary, completing two passes on a six-play, 75-yard drive. Batson hit Gilliard for 18 yards on the second snap of the series, and three plays later he laid a ball out for Will Swinney. Swinney picked up 24 yards and pushed the ball down to the West-Oak 6-yard line. Robinson decided to use the power of his offensive line and gave running back Stephon Kirksey the ball, and the speedster found a hole and went in for the score. Sherrill’s kick made it 35-0 Daniel at the half.
After intermission, the Lions picked up right where they left off, with their bruising defense slamming the door on the Warrior offense and Batson and company mounting yet another scoring drive. Robinson looked like he was ready to ground-and-pound the Warriors and called five running plays on the 71-yard, seven-play drive. Just as West-Oak hunkered down to stop the run, Batson caught a glimpse of Swinney open and tossed him a pass, and off to the races he went, going 37 yards with 7:46 to play in the third quarter for a score. Sherrill was automatic, giving his team a 42-0 lead.
The coaching staffs agreed to let the clock run from there on out, and the Lions substituted freely on offense.
Fruster looked to preserve his shut-out and kept his main unit on the field the remainder of the way. Defenders Avery Conrad, Chris Barnes, Jake Venables and C.J. Scott made impressive plays as time wound down, giving the Lions their first victory of the season, 42-0
“I think we as a team got closer together tonight,” Robinson said. “If we keep building more unity, we can get this thing rolling in the right direction.”
This Friday, night the Lions will finally return to the friendly confines of Singleton Field following three straight weeks on the road, as the Palmetto Mustangs will come calling for another Western AAA matchup.
The Mustangs are 3-1, with wins over Powdersville (23-19), Crescent (40-20) and Dixie (42-13). Their only loss came last week in region play, when they fell to Belton-Honea Path 44-9.
“I told everybody before the season, I thought Palmetto would be the surprise team in the region,” Robinson said. “They have a quality quarterback who is the coach’s son. He is a good player. They have a running back that at times looks unstoppable. We will have our hands full.”
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Patriots roll Devils in region opener
By Jimmy Kirby
Courier Sports
jkirby@thepccourier.com
POWDERSVILLE — Powdersville used a balanced offensive attack to decisively handle the Liberty Red Devils on Friday night, rolling to a
John Bolton/BoltonPhoto.com
Liberty quarterback Austin Hughey, seen here preparing to hand the ball off to Tyler Renaud during the Devils’ game against Pickens earlier this month, will look to lead the Red Devils to a win at home over Landrum this Friday after last week’s loss at Powdersville.
35-7 victory in the first region game of the season for both teams.
[cointent_lockedcontent]The Patriots gained 209 yards on the ground and amassed 211 yards through the air to produce results any coach would be proud of.
Jakobe Bufford scored on runs of one, 12 and seven yards to lead the Patriots’ ground game. He was the leading rusher in the game, as he gained 105 yards on 18 carries. Running mate E.J. Humphrey added 96 yards on only five carries, including a 67-yard run with 8:29 remaining in the contest to prove the final margin of victory for Powdersville.
The Red Devils were decent moving the ball on the ground, gaining 181 yards on 46 carries, but remained one-dimensional. Austin Hughey was just 2-of-6 for 15 yards through the air. Nick Reeves, who returned from injury, saw his first action of the season as well and was 0-for-2 passing on the night.
The first two Red Devil drives of the game started deep in their own territory. They started at their own 19-yard line on their first drive and their own 10-yard line on the second drive of the game. Following a 15-yard punt by Hughey on the Red Devils’ second drive, the Patriots took only two plays to score as Bufford ran for 20 yards on the first play of the series and then scored from one yard out for a 7-0 lead.
The Patriots came right back to score once more after they stopped the Red Devil offense again. This time, quarterback Emery Williams found J.J. Gentile across the middle for a 52-yard strike to put the Patriots up 14-0 to close out the first quarter.
Liberty blew an opportunity to score on its next drive. Eddy Mathis returned the ensuing kickoff 71 yards to the Powdersville 26-yard line. Four plays later, the Red Devils’ drive was going in the wrong direction and stalled at the Patriot 30-yard line.
Powdersville went straight to work and extended its lead to 21-0 with an eight-play, 74-yard drive. Bufford scored from 12 yards out this time. Williams completed key passes to Jack Birchfield for 22 yards and Humphrey for 20 yards on the drive.
The Red Devils finally managed a good drive on their next possession to get on the board with just 25 seconds remaining in the half. Mathis scored from four yards out for the Red Devils. The drive was good for 70 yards and took 16 plays. Tyler Renaud and Hughey had the longest gains on the drive, good for 11 yards each. Hughey also connected with Mathis to move the ball to the 4-yard line before Mathis scored on the next play.
The Red Devils almost missed out on their opportunity, as an errant snap from the shotgun at the 2-yard line cost them a 21-yard loss, but they recovered and were able to put the ball into the end zone anyway.
The Patriots extended their lead to 28-7 on Bufford’s third touchdown run of the night, from seven yards out.
The Red Devils turned the ball over on downs at the Powdersville 12-yard line with a third-quarter drive of their own thanks to a 42-yard run by Cole Murphy.
Renaud led the Red Devils’ rushing attack with 79 yards on 12 carries. Mathis added 72 yards on 18 carries. Murphy added 59 yards on just four carries.
Murphy also had a fine game for the Red Devils on defense as he led the team with nine tackles and one tackle for loss.
The Red Devils will be at home this Friday night to take on the Landrum Cardinals. Liberty coach Kyle Stewart and company will have to see if they can take a page out of the Powdersville handbook and find a balanced offense to take the pressure off of the offensive rushing attack.
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Golden Hurricanes outlast Blue Flame
By Eugene Jolley
Courier Sports
ejolley@thepccourier.com
PIEDMONT — It was a case of one step forward and two back for the Pickens Blue Flame during their Western AAA opener Friday night at Wren.[cointent_lockedcontent]
Tommy McGaha/Courier
Pickens’ Adam Thomas stiff-arms Wren’s Trey McGowens during their game Friday night.
Playing with heavy hearts after the shooting death of long-time coach Bill Isaacs, the Blue Flame were hoping to honor him with a win.
Both teams entered with 1-2 records, but it was the Golden Hurricanes who struck first quickly, held off a Pickens rally, and then pulled away for a 42-12 win.
“I thought we battled back from that pretty good early,” Pickens coach John Boggs said. “I felt like we just didn’t answer the bell in the second half. I think we looked unorganized. We looked out of focus. I think we had every opportunity to come out and win this ball game in the second half.
“We had a couple of short-yardage situations, and they capitalized on that, where we were trying to seize the momentum. I feel like we are a better football team than what we played out here tonight. That’s what is disappointing. I think we can play better than this. I expected us to play better than this. It’s a little disheartening to play this way and lose that way in a region game.”
Wren took the first two possessions of the game for touchdowns. The first one covered 80 yards in just six plays, as quarterback Jay Urich kept it the final seven with 10:16 left in the first quarter.
The Hurricanes went 65 yards in three plays next, scoring when Urich hit Furman commitment Bailey Rogers on a slip-screen for 37 yards with 8:30 left in the first quarter. Trevor Perry’s kick made it 14-0.
Wren won the battle of big plays, with 12 plays of 20 yards or more to just two for the Blue Flame.
Pickens settled down defensively and forced a punt. The snap sailed over Perry’s head for a safety with 1:12 left in the first, making it 14-2.
The Blue Flame defense then came up with another big play as Adam Martin made a leaping interception of Urich at the 47. The drive eventually stalled, and Matt Gravely kicked a 45-yard field goal with 10:31 left in the half.
Wren answered with a three-play, 62-yard scoring drive, with tailback Nathaniel Ekwere taking it the final four with 9:43 left in the half. The kick hit the right bar, making it 20-5.
The Blue Flame offense then got on track. Quarterback Tanner Stegall had several big runs and hit Sam Lawson on a nine-yard curl in the middle of the end zone for the score with 6:18 left in the half, making it 20-12.
The defense came up big again. Renny Croley knocked down a pass, and Tyler Gravely sacked Urich on fourth down after the Hurricanes had reached the Blue Flame 12.
Gunner Covey then ripped off a 36-yard run to the Wren 26, and after Stegall ran for two more, he tried to pass, but it was picked off by Owen Wilson.
Again, it appeared the Blue Flame defense had stymied Wren, as Tyler Gravely again provided the pressure, forcing a third and long in the waning seconds of the half. This time, Urich rolled right and found Rogers, who had gotten behind Martin, for a 71-yard touchdown strike with 55 seconds left in the half, making it 27-12 on Perry’s kick.
“We had them backed up third and long and they hit the big pass,” Boggs said. “That was a big momentum swing for them. Even still at that point, 27-12 at halftime, I felt that if we came out and executed we would be able to move the ball and punch one in and get right back in it. We never did it — credit them.
“They made big plays when they needed to. I thought their quarterback made some big plays. Their running back — I was worried about him all week long — I thought he was the most dangerous guy on the field. He proved that tonight. And (Rogers) had a pretty good game, too.”
The Blue Flame, in the first half, had been stopped on fourth and one at the Wren 20, and on the first drive of the second half, Wren again stymied the Blue Flame on fourth and one, this time at the 49, as Stegall was stopped for no gain.
“Shooting ourselves in the foot with penalites, not executing, running in the wrong hole — it was just bad. We’ve got to get better at that,” Boggs said. “Short-yardage needs to be something we can be good at, but we were terrible at it tonight.”
That started an odd second half, as for every step forward Pickens took, two steps went back. Pickens had 14 penalties in the game.
Wren took advantage of the stop and a missed holding call on a Urich scramble and scored when Ekwere ran in from eight yards out with 7:45 left. A high snap on the kick kept it 33-12.
Wren scored again on the next possession, as Ekwere went in from a yard out. Trevor Gillespie blocked the extra point, keeping it 39-12 with 1:49 left in the third.
Stegall was picked off on the next two possessions and Wren added a 41-yard field goal with 2:32 left to close out the scoring.
The game was part of an emotional week for Boggs, who played for Isaacs, and the Blue Flame.
“It is what it is,” Boggs said of the week off the field. “It’s disappointing. With everything that has transpired, it has been a difficult week off the field. On the field, I feel the kids had a good week of practice and had good focus. We’ll pay our respects Saturday, and that will be a tough day. It will be tough emotionally on me with the ties there. It’s a shame. It’s a tragedy. Our hearts go out to both of those families.”
Pickens will host West-Oak on Friday night, while Wren will entertain unbeaten Seneca.
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Tigers survive against Cardinals on the road
By Philip Sikes
Clemson Athletic Comm.
news@thepccourier.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Clemson outlasted Louisville, 20-17, in front of 55,396 fans, the third-largest crowd in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium history, last Thursday. [cointent_lockedcontent]
Rex Brown/Courtesy The Journal
From left, Clemson’s Stanton Seckinger, Jordan Leggett and Ray-Ray McCloud celebrate after Leggett scored a touchdown during the Tigers’ 20-17 win at Louisville last Thursday.
The win improved Clemson to 3-0 on the season and was the program’s 30th straight victory over an unranked opponent.
Clemson’s defense was outstanding all night, allowing just 272 yards of total offense to Louisville. The other story of the game was running back Wayne Gallman, who carried 24 times for 139 yards on the evening. He helped offset a pair of interceptions thrown by Deshaun Watson, who ended the night 21-30 passing for 199 yards. He added a season-best 54 on the ground.
The defensive struggle was uncorked momentarily after the completion of the first quarter, when Watson found a streaking Hunter Renfrow wide open for his first career touchdown. The redshirt freshman caught the 32-yard strike to put the Tigers ahead, 7-0. The Cards cut the deficit just before the break when John Wallace connected on a 26-yard field goal.
Louisville took its first lead on a Jeremy Smith one-yard plunge in the third quarter, which was set up by Watson’s second interception of the evening — his first career game with multiple picks thrown.
The Tigers responded, posting 13 consecutive points that included Watson’s 25-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Leggett. His fourth career score combined with two Greg Huegel field goals to make it 20-10.
Seemingly in control, the Tigers allowed a 100-yard kickoff return that gave the Cardinals life with 9:41 to play. Louisville marched into Clemson territory on its next drive, but John Wallace missed a 38-yard field goal. The Cards had another chance late, but Kevin Dodd’s eight-yard sack erased it and Louisville’s final throw was intercepted by Jadar Johnson.
Clemson will have an off week this Saturday before returning home to host Notre Dame on Oct. 3. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. and be televised by ABC, it was announced Monday.
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Spearman and the state of SC schools
Recently at the College of Charleston, State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman delivered what was billed as The State of the Schools Speech.
What I heard was the single most encouraging speech I’ve heard about education in South Carolina in a long, long time.
It was not a traditional ‘state of…’ speech — full of facts, figures and overblown political claims and promises. Instead, what I saw was a committed caring school teacher from rural Saluda County (who just happens to be in charge of our state’s public education) talking with folks about our children, what’s good and what’s bad about our schools and what we need to do to fix them.
After listening to her talk about her genuine love for our state and our children, I decided that Molly Spearman may be the distilled essence of positive, traditional South Carolina values.
Her life story sounds like something that would make John Boy Walton jealous: she grew up on a farm in rural Saluda County. In addition to her farm chores, at age 12 she began playing the piano and organ at her small country church. She and her family still go to that same church and she is the music director and organist.
She went to the local college (Lander) where she was student body president (of course) and then went ‘off’ to get an advanced degree at a big time school (George Washington University). On a blind date, she met her future husband, a Clemson student from the next county over.
After her education, she taught music for 18 years and was named Teacher of the Year (naturally) and then became a state legislator where she was known as a fierce advocate for children. She later worked in the Department of Education and then became head of the S.C. Association of School Administrators, a professional organization of over 3,600 principals, superintendents and school leaders.
She is probably the best prepared Superintendent of Education that we have had in generations.
But what was most striking in her speech was not her academic smarts (which she has) or her command of policy issues, fact and figures (which she demonstrated) but the genuine warmth and affection — even love — that she showed for our state and its children.
What did she say was the most important thing for teachers to do? “Love your students.” And she means it; it didn’t come across as hokey or canned. She is genuine.
And after four years of her predecessor, who seemed far more interested in extremist ideology than in education, her reception among classroom teachers and the boost in their morale has been palpable. As one teacher from Summerville told me, “When Molly was elected, teachers thought they had died and gone to heaven.”
Before continuing on with my gushing, it’s time for full disclosure. I did not support Spearman when she ran for State Superintendent. She is a Republican and I’m a Democrat so… And, as of late, I have been working with her and her staff on an innovative education project called World Class Scholars and they have been nothing but terrific. As is obvious, I have what my preacher father called ‘the zeal of a convert.’
What was most exciting to me was her enthusiasm for what might happen with education reform. After a 21-year lawsuit by the 39 poorest school district (the Abbeville Case) the State Supreme Court has mandated that the Legislature seriously do something to fix these schools in the Corridor of Shame. Spearman believes that for the first time in a generation, the stars are aligned to get real reform in education. Let’s all hope so.
Clearly she knows what needs to be done and is not shying away from the tough issues, even the most controversial of issues such as race.
On teacher pay — “It’s ridiculous that an early teacher has to work two to three jobs…Our teacher salary schedule is so messed up, it’s beyond repair.”
On early intervention whatever the cost — “We have to get to children quickly — in year one.”
On going beyond the Three Rs — “The soft skills are just as important to overall success and have been neglected. Children who learn how to solve problems develop grit and a commitment to something that builds character and life skills. They are successful in life, not just successful on test scores.”
On too many school districts — “Consolidation — some don’t want to talk about this, but there are some very small districts that are too small and very inefficient and I think we have to come up with some incentives.”
On segregation — “I think there are some conversations that need to take place in these very, very small (school) districts, which are, quite honestly, still segregated by race and socioeconomics. …It’s time for the adults to do the right thing.”
So, can we all relax now and let Spearman fix education in South Carolina?’ Hardly.
We still have a Legislature that seems more interested in posturing and postponing than in actually doing anything. We still have too many parents that won’t (or don’t know how) to get involved to help their children. And, we still have too many of us who may not have kids in public school so we simply don’t do our part to fix the schools.
But this I do know, we have a terrific Superintendent who says the stars are aligning (Abbeville Case) for a once in a lifetime opportunity to get serious education reform.
Will it happen? I don’t know, but I’m betting on the country girl from Saluda.
Phil Noble is a businessman in Charleston and president of the S.C. New Democrats, an independent reform group founded by former Gov. Richard Riley to bring change and reform. He can be reached at phil@scnewdemocrats.org.
