Monthly Archives: October 2015
Letters to the Editor10-21-15
Concerned with Collins’ Turkey Trip
Dear Editor,
I have become worried about Rep. Neal Collins’ recent trip to Turkey that he claims “has been a political, cultural and economic tour.”
After reading all his posts and viewing all his pictures he posted on Facebook about this trip, it became obvious to me that Collins has buried his head in the sand and is in denial of what Muslims believe and what “taquia” means to Muslims.
“Taquia” is permission for a Muslim to lie under three conditions including advancing the cause of Allah and to deceive your enemies. It becomes very difficult to trust Muslims, because you don’t know if they are saying what they really believe or they are lying to Americans until they are in a stronger position within the government to fight and express their true feelings of establishing a caliphate.
I have to question Collins’ loyalty to the safety of Pickens County citizenry, as well as the safety of the citizenry of state of South Carolina and the United States of America. Did he really mean it when he swore to protect our country from all enemies, both foreign and domestic?
Here are Collins’ Facebook status quotes:
“This is an example of what I learned on this trip. My ignorance. My racism. My fears have been challenged. I know I am a better person.”
So after all these years of being a Christian and being surrounded by Christians his whole life — now that he has been around Muslims, he is a better person?
Collins wrote on Facebook that he stayed with “a wonderful Muslim family” and that “the whole family denounced Muslim extremists.” When he calls these Muslims “God-fearing people,” he is either ignorant of Islam and their ideology and beliefs and ignores the fact that Sharia law and the Constitution cannot coexist or he is complicit and is a Muslim sympathizer.
The Atlantic Institute is who sponsored the majority of the costs for Collins’ trip along with other S.C. legislators. The Atlantic Institute supports growth of Muslim Gulen charter schools here in the U.S. There is one in Greenville operating now. Many of you may know, Collins is on the House Education Committee, and this sends up red flags to me. Was their purpose to soften him up?
Please don’t vote to re-elect this man to the S.C. House, Easley voters!
Johnnelle Raines
Pickens
Vehicle donation helps transform family’s lives
By Olivia Fowler
For The Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com
COUNTY — When Frederica Davenport drove away from D&D Motors in Greer in a 2004 Ford Explorer, she wasn’t just driving[cointent_lockedcontent]
Courtesy Photo
From left, D&D Motors general manager Skip Davenport, car recipient Frederica Davenport, Family Promise director Armilla Moore and Allstate regional director Curtis Brock were on hand for a recent car donation ceremony.
home. She was driving into a new life.
The 36-year-old single mother of three is finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
A year ago, the Davenport family was homeless and without transportation. The family had nowhere to turn. Then, Family Promise of Pickens County came into their lives. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to giving homeless families a hand up, not a hand out.
Family Promise provides a safe place for families, where more than just food and shelter is available. There are 14 host churches, each in turn offering one week of housing and food to the families in the program.
Transportation, job training, counseling and other services are also given to each participating family so at the end of their months in the program they have secured affordable housing, a job and continued mentoring.
“Frederica came to Family Promise in the fall of 2014,” Family Promise director Armilla Moore said. “She and her children were homeless. She had a lot of skepticism and apprehension when she entered the program. Her children were displaced and uncertain.
“As a part of the program, they spent many nights sleeping in churches. Through Frederica’s hard work and with the help of Family Promise, she not only found housing and employment, she also found friends and family. By January 2015 she was able to move into a home with affordable rent and find full-time employment.”
Davenport had completed the program. She and her children were living together in a home she could afford in a safe neighborhood. She had a job.
The only component missing was transportation. She was scrambling for rides to work. She and the children walked miles to the grocery store, and the lack of a car seemed to be an unsolvable problem.
And then, Moore discovered a grant program sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company that donates recycled vehicles to qualified homeless families.
“We knew the chances were small,” Moore said.
But they sent in Davenport’s application and waited to hear.
Curtis Brock of Allstate said the program, 800 Charities Through Recycled Rides, donates totaled salvage vehicles that are repairable to the program. Some are donated to technical schools for automotive repair classes. But some go to families who have no other way of getting transportation. The title is signed over to the new owner.
Eddie Snipes of Allstate spotted the car and test drove it at the salvage yard to see if it would qualify.
Copart Salvage Yard delivers repairable vehicles at no charge to D&D Motors, the third partner in the program.
D&D general manager Skip Davenport said the dealership donates repairs and reconditioning of the vehicles to the program, because they want to help these families get reliable transportation. They also coordinate the donation process.
When Davenport got behind the wheel and started the engine, the expression on her face made it clear what the car represents to her.
She recently started a new job at the VA in Belton as a medical assistant and now has a way to get there. Her family is among the first in Pickens County to complete the Family Promise program.
Moore said the transformation in the entire family since they entered the program has been amazing.
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Courier Community Calendar10-21-15
• Trick or Treat on Main set in Pickens
Cannon Memorial Hospital and the City of Pickens will hold its annual Trick or Treat On Main Street on Saturday, October 31 from 5-8 p.m. for children. The event will begin at the intersection of Ann Street and Main Street in Pickens.
• Sarlin to present an evening with Wright
The Friends of the Sarlin Library are thrilled to host an evening with award-winning graphic artist Emily Wright on Monday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m.
Wright, who is employed by the Pickens County Courier, is the recipient of more than 75 Palmy Awards in South Carolina Press Association’s annual contest.
Library officials said they are honored to have her share her journey that began as a child with “doodles on birthday cards” to her role, now, in the newspaper business, as the department head of graphic design since 2007.
• Fall Festival set for PPCCD Center
The Pickens Presbyterian Church Child Development Center will host a free fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 311 West Main St. in Pickens.Highlights of the day’s event will include a bounce house and games for the children, as well as performances by Last Road bluegrass, Sweet Potato Pie Kids, Power House Dance, Palmetto Martial Arts, balloon art and face painting.
A silent auction will take place to help raise funds for the child development center. As part of the center’s ministry, it offers a safe learning environment for children of all abilities to learn and play together in the Pickens area.
BBQ plates and hot dog plates will be available for purchase.
• Children’s Fall Festival set in Easley
The city of Easley and Gilstrap Family Dealerships will host a Children’s Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4-8 p.m.
The event will be held around the downtown merchants and at Old Market Square in Easley. Children can trick or treat with the downtown merchants and then join a fun-filled festival with games, music, costume contests and more. The festival is free. For more, visit easleyevents.com or call (864) 423-4344.
• Lynch family reunion planned
The descendants of Captain William Lynch are having a reunion luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Holly Springs Baptist Church. A potluck lunch will be served at noon. Visitors will be able to enjoy good food, fun, fellowship and family history. For more information, contact David and Virginia Lynch at (864) 850-1787, Harold and Martha Lynch at (864) 915-1957 or Monnie and Jackie Broome at (864)270-0530 or jgbroome@juno.com.
• Georges Creek to host fall festival
Georges Creek Baptist Church in Easley will hold a fall festival, October 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. The free event will include food, candy, games and inflatables. Everyone is invited. The church is located at 1991 Saluda Dam Road in Easley. For more information, call the church at 859-6789.
Courier Obituaries 10-21-15
MR. WALTER EDWIN KING[cointent_lockedcontent]
LIBERTY — Walter Edwin King, 93, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, at his home following an extended illness.
He was the widower of Thelma Lorene Stewart King and a son of the late Walter Leo and Gladys Juanita Smith King. He was a founding member of Ruhamah Baptist Church, where he served 45 years as a deacon. He was self-employed and retired after many years in the timber business.
Surviving are a daughter, Brenda Tyler (John) of Powdersville; three sons, Horace King (Anvy), Randal King (Judy P.), and Larry King, all of Liberty; a sister, Martha Daniels of Greenville; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Charles Edwin King, and his wife, F. Judy King, and a daughter-in-law, Debbie King.
Graveside services to honor the life of Mr. King were held Oct. 15 at Liberty Memorial Gardens.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Ruhamah Baptist Church, c/o Roy Moore, Treasurer 1610 Red Barn Rd, Liberty SC, 29657. The family would like to express our thankfulness to Homestead Hospice and the many caregivers for their compassionate care.
Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
GRACE HAWKINS
LIBERTY — Grace Stewart Hawkins of Liberty passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at the Hospice House in Anderson.
Born in Pickens, she was the widow of Harry Guy Hawkins and a daughter of the late Major and Sadie Dorsey Stewart.
She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.
Surviving are a son, Billy Hawkins and his wife Martha of Liberty; two sisters, Mary Jones and Vivian Stewart; a brother, Carl Stewart; and grandchildren, Jason Hawkins, Olivia Hawkins, Chase Burrell, Kim Rhodes, Grant Rhodes and Addison Rhodes.
Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Hawkins were held Oct. 16 in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
MAY MONROE DUNCAN
EASLEY — May Monroe Duncan, 77, passed away on Tuesday, Oct., 13, 2015, at Majesty Health and Rehab in Easley.
She was born in 1938 to the late James “Jim” and Janie Stancell Monroe.
She is survived by her son, Furman Duncan, and her brother, Robert Monroe, both of Six Mile.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Duncan; and her three children, Ricky, Bobby and Susan Duncan.
Graveside services were held Oct. 15 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the wonderful staff of Ark Hospice and Majesty Health and Rehab.
HENRY G. LAW
CENTRAL — Henry Griffin Law, 82, husband of Carolyn Gray Law, of 439 Wood St., died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at his home.
Born in Cartersville, Ga., he was a son of the late Henry Franklin and Virginia McKeever Law. Henry was a retired supervisor with West Point Stevens, a mason and Shriner and a member of Cannon Memorial Baptist Church. He was a former Central town councilman.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 65 years are sons, Steve Duane (Brenda) Law of Central, and James Rodney (Brenda) Law of Central; brother, Don Law of Cartersville, Ga.; sisters, Sue Brooks, Martha Hale and Joyce Siniard all of Cartersville, Ga.; grandchildren, Jason Law, Stacy Bennett, Karrie Merck and Alan Putnam; great-grandchildren, Taylor Bennett, Elijah Bennett, Hannah Bennett, Kallista Nunn, Kyliee Merck and Kahlyn Merck.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Griffin Eugene Law; brothers, Charles Law and James Law; and a sister, Katie Mae Smith.
Funeral services were held Oct. 16 in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, with burial following in Memory Gardens.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to OMH Foundation, in care of Hospice of the Foothills, 298 Memorial Drive, Seneca, SC 29672.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of the Foothills (Nancy), Wilma Kelley for many visits and Barbara Moore for all the thoughtfulness to the family.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at the funeral home.
SYLVIA OTTS LIVINGSTON
EASLEY — Mrs. Sylvia Alma Otts Livingston, 74, wife of Joe E. Livingston Sr., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at her home.
Born in Little Rock, Ark., a daughter of the late Clois Edwin Otts and the late Alma Thompson Otts Baisley, Mrs. Livingston was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal faith.
Surviving, in addition to her husband of 59 years, are two sons, Ricky Livingston of Anderson, and Joe Livingston, Jr. (Crystal) of Easley; two daughters, Theresa L. Stafford (Randy) of Liberty, and Rebecca L. King (Tommy) of Pickens; one brother, William Otts of Ft. Smith, Ark.; a sister, Deloris Hatfield of Soddy Daisey, Tenn.; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Livingston was predeceased by two brothers, Edwin and Tim Otts.
Funeral services were held Oct. 18 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial following in 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.
BOBBY SWAFFORD
EASLEY — Mr. Bobby Jerry Swafford, 79, husband of the late Sarah Harrison Swafford, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Oconee County, a son of the late Robert Ray and Ollie Mozelle Sosbee Swafford, Mr. Swafford retired from Alice Manufacturing and was a member of Liberty Church of God of Prophecy.
Surviving are a son, Robert “Gene” Swafford (Rhonda) of Easley; a daughter, Joan A. Stanley of Easley; a stepson, Lawrence McJunkin of Pennsylvania; a special friend, Frances Morton; two brothers, Billy and Joe Swafford of Greenville; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Swafford was predeceased by two brothers, Charles and James Swafford.
Memorial services were held Oct. 17 at Liberty Church of God of Prophecy.
Memorials may be made to Liberty Church of God of Prophecy, 373 Black Bottom Road, Liberty, SC 29657.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
BEVERLY W. DAY
EASLEY — Beverly Wells Day, 75, widow of Gary Wayne “Hootie” Day Sr., passed from this life Tuesday evening, Oct. 13, 2015, at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville.
Beverly was born in Detroit, Mich., a daughter of the late Robert William and Irene Kaurgnen Wells. She was a registered nurse and retired from Ryobi Motor Products in Pickens as occupational health nurse. Beverly was a communicant of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Easley and she was a member of The Cindy Parrott Chapter of The Daughters of The King.
Survivors include her sons, Russell Fulton Day of the home, Gary Wayne Day, Jr. of Taylors, Richard Wells Day (LaNelle) of York, and Christopher Douglas Day also of the home and grandchildren, Kelsey Day, Becca Day, Devon Frady, Hunter Day, Katie Day, Abby Day, and Marley Day and special nieces and nephew, Holly Mayer, Suzy Sonnier, and John Lee. Also surviving are sisters, Judith Warfield of Whitmire, and Margaret Lee of Piedmont.
In addition to her parents and husband, Beverly was preceded in death by a brother, Edwin Wells.
Funeral services were held Oct. 20 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Easley, with The Rev. Lee Dudley officiating. Entombment followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens in Pickens.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
Memorials may be made to York Place, Thompson Children’s Home, 234 Kings Mountain Street, York, SC 29745 or to Hemophilia Resources of America, 4000 Spring Garden Street, Suite E, Greensboro, NC 27407.
FRANCES TURNER LOOPER
EASLEY — Frances Turner Looper, 89, wife of the late Clayton Willimon Looper, went to be with the Lord Wednesday Oct. 14, 2015, at Baptist Easley.
Mrs. Looper was born in Easley, the daughter of the late Ida Volrath Turner and George Turner, and a member of Arial Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Marie Looper of Pickens; one sister, Sara Breazeale of Easley; and one brother, Joseph Turner of Easley.
Funeral services were held Oct. 18 in the Hillcrest Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel.
Mrs. Looper was predeceased by her husband, parents, five sisters and four brothers.
Memorials may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Looper family.
BETTY R. SMITH
PICKENS — Betty R. Smith, 81, wife of the late Clarence E. Smith passed away Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, at Rainey Hospice House.
Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late Claudine Williams Reeves and William Wideman Reeves. Mrs. Smith was a member of East Pickens Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons; Dale Smith (Lori) of Pickens, and Don Smith of Pickens; two grandchildren, Korey Smith of Pickens, and Kayla Meekins (Eric) of Easley; and two great-grandchildren, Parker Calcutt and Bryson Meekins, both of Easley.
Funeral services were held Oct. 19 at Dillard Funeral Home Chapel, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.
Mrs. Smith was predeceased by her husband, parents, one son, Michael Wayne Smith; two sisters, Flora Masters and Jean R. Smith; and two brothers, James (Shadow) Reeves and Alton (Cooter) Reeves.
Online condolences may be sent to www.dillardfunerals.com.
Memorials may be made to Rainey Hospice House, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, South Carolina, 29621.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Smith family.
LORRAINE ANN GERLACH WALLACE
JOANNA — Lorraine Wallace, 57, wife of Terry Wallace, went to be with the Lord Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, at Laurens County Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Wallace was born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Janice Gillespie Gerlach and Henry Gerlach.
Survivors include her husband of 30 years; two sons, Joseph Daniel Wallace and wife Emily of Abbeville and Samuel Caleb Wallace and wife Elizabeth of Norfolk, Va.; and two grandchildren, Enslee Wallace and Ellyson Wallace of Abbeville.
Funeral services were held Oct. 14 at Dillard Funeral Home Chapel, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.
Mrs. Wallace was predeceased by her parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Wallace family.
CAROLYN G. HILL
CENTRAL — Carolyn Gentry Hill, 66, of Central, passed from this life on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, at her home.
Carolyn was born in Fayetteville, N.C., daughter of Katherine Mills Gentry of Central and the late Dennis Abraham Gentry. She was retired from The Medical Center in Easley as an L.P.N, and she was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church.
Survivors include her mother, Katherine Mills Gentry of the home, her daughter, Angela Durham (Devin) of Pickens and her son, Scott Harper (fiancée Dawn Divis) of Clemson. Also surviving are grandchildren Katelyn Durham and Cade Durham.
A memorial service was held, Oct. 15, at Mountain View Baptist Church with The Rev. Bob Dickard and The Rev. Richard Hayes officiating.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
Memorials may be made to The Children’s Hospital of The Greenville Hospital System, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC 29601.
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Green Wave claim first region victory
By Ben Robinson
Staff Reporter
brobinson@thepccourier.com
PIEDMONT — After trailing by one point at halftime, Easley scored a touchdown on its first possession of the third quarter and then held on in the face of several [cointent_lockedcontent]comeback attempts to take a 13-7 win
Kerry Gilstrap/Courier
Easley’s Bralan Fuller gets away from a Woodmont defender during the Green Wave’s win over the Wildcats on Friday night.
over Woodmont on Friday night.
The win was Easley’s first Region 1-AAAA victory of the year and kept the Green Wave’s playoff hopes alive as they prepare to host Greenwood on Friday night. Easley will finish the season with a trip to Hillcrest and a visit from Greenville.
Woodmont took the opening kickoff at its own 40-yard line but was unable to move the ball on its opening possession. Four plays later, the Wildcats punted the ball to Easley, which took over at its own 25-yard line.
From there, Will Drawdy lost a yard before Dalton Black connected with Bralan Fuller on separate plays of 24 yards then 39 yards to give the Green Wave the ball on the Woodmont 13-yard line.
Drawdy then ran the ball twice, the second for a nine-yard touchdown to put the first points on the board.
The extra point attempt by Josh Hansen failed, and Easley led 6-0 a little more than four minutes into the game.
Woodmont took its ensuing possession and drove deep into Easley territory before turning it over on downs when a Hunter King pass fell incomplete at the Green Wave 27-yard line.
After the two teams traded possessions back and forth, a promising Easley drive ended when Black was intercepted by Brandon Walker midway through the second quarter, and the Wildcats took advantage of the turnover.
Aided by a facemask penalty against Easley, Woodmont drove swiftly down the field, with King hitting Jaquan Williams for a 37-yard score on the third play of the possession. Preston St. Martin’s extra point gave the Wildcats the lead at 7-6 with four minutes to play in the opening half.
Neither team managed anything substantial offensively before the half, but the Green Wave found all the offense they needed in the early stages of the third quarter.
After the opening kickoff of the second half, despite a drive hindered by a pair of penalties against the Green Wave, Black found Fuller for a 56-yard touchdown at the 9:15 mark of the third quarter. Hansen’s extra point made the score 13-7 in favor of the visitors.
Hansen missed a 30-yard field goal that would have extended the lead when the ball sailed wide left on Easley’s next possession, but the Green Wave defense made sure the lead held up.
The Wildcats drove to inside the Easley red zone three times in the fourth quarter, but each time the Green Wave turned them away empty-handed.
On Woodmont’s first fourth-quarter possession, Green Wave defenders Ethan Meyers and Sean-Thomas Faulkner stuffed Deonte Luster for a loss of two on a fourth-down attempt from the Easley 13-yard line.
The next Wildcat drive ended when Easley’s Kaleb Dicks picked off King in the end zone, and Ivan Hill later intercepted King at the Green Wave 13-yard line.
Black finished the night just shy of 200 yards passing, while Malaki Robinson led the Green Wave ground game with 64 yards on 13 carries. Fuller was the top receiver for Easley with 159 yards on nine catches.
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Woodruff air attack too much for Devils
By Jimmy Kirby
Courier Sports
jkirby@thepccourier.com
WOODRUFF — Keegan Halloran threw four touchdown passes and ran for [cointent_lockedcontent]another to lead Woodruff to a convincing 48-3 victory over the Liberty Red Devils on Friday night.
Brandy Karr/Photo
Liberty’s Shaun Karr finds a hole against Woodruff on Friday night.
Halloran connected on touchdown passes of 41, 1, 82 and 14 yards, while also scoring on a 10-yard run. On the night, Halloran connected on 12-of-14 passes for 289 yards and no interceptions. The only negative was that Halloran was sacked four times by the Red Devil defense.
Not a bad night’s work for any quarterback and, by the way, Halloran is only a freshman for the Wolverines. With a continuing supporting cast, look for Halloran to establish some pretty impressive stats by the time he completes his senior season.
The Red Devils had a tough night offensively, as they managed only 113 yards of offense. The Woodruff defense held the Red Devil rushing attack in check by limiting Liberty to only 92 yards on the ground.
The best drive of the night for Liberty came in the second quarter, as the Devils drove 65 yards on 17 plays and consumed 8:32 off the clock. The success of the Red Devil drive came running the ball right at the Wolverine defense. It was truly a run-straight-at-you, grind-it-out drive that ended with a 35 yard field goal from Dylan McCall to get the Red Devils on the board with their only points of the game.
The Red Devils didn’t have any luck trying to get outside on the athletic Woodruff defense. They managed only 48 yards on 26 plays the remainder of the game.
The long drive by the Red Devils limited the Wolverines to just five plays in the second quarter, but the problem was that two of the plays resulted in touchdowns for Woodruff. A 30-yard run by Jarius Thompson made it 28-3, and the Wolverines increased the lead to 35-3 on their next possession with an 82-yard pass from Halloran to Qua Phelps.
Woodruff wasted no time to score quickly in the first quarter following the opening kick off, as the Wolverines went 59 yards in only two plays. Halloran connected with Phelps for 18 yards on the first play from scrimmage, and then found Keith Pearson for 41 yards for his first touchdown pass of the night.
The two teams agreed to a continuous clock in the second half. Woodruff managed two scores in the second half, while the Red Devils managed only 16 yards on 14 plays.
The issues didn’t lie in the Liberty effort as much as the Devils being blitzed by Halloran and the Wolverine passing game. Three quarterbacks saw action for the Wolverines and finished the night 20-of-27 with one interception and 374 yards.
Liberty tried to sneak a long pass on its first play from scrimmage, but Nick Reeves was sacked on the play for a loss of 12 yards back to the 22-yard line, and the drive never got started.
Reeves, who is the only active quarterback currently on the roster due to Austin Hughey being out recovering from a slight concussion, was expected to take all the snaps for the game. He was hobbled late in the second quarter by an apparent knee injury that forced Aaron Bates into action at quarterback for the Red Devils. Reeves returned after halftime and completed the game to give the Red Devils a lift.
With the loss, the Red Devils fell to 2-6 overall and 1-4 in region play. Pendleton will come to town this Friday night in the final home game of the season, followed by a short trip to Greenville to face Carolina to close out the season.
Woodruff improved to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in region play. The Wolverines’ hopes of going far into postseason play rest squarely on the shoulders of a freshman quarterback. Who knows what lies ahead for this young quarterback? The only question is if the Wolverines can establish enough of a running game when they need it.
The Wolverines own 10 state titles and were once led by a quarterback named Tony Rice, who led Notre Dame to a national championship while he played for legendary coach Lou Holtz. The glory days may be coming back again for Woodruff.
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Blue Flame come up short vs. Lions
By Eugene Jolley
Courier Sports
ejolley@thepccourier.com
CENTRAL — It was heartbreak for Pickens and a homecoming survival for Daniel Friday night as the Lions held on to beat [cointent_lockedcontent]the Blue Flame 28-24.
Tommy McGaha/seeyourphotohere.com
Pickens quarterback Tanner Stegall throws a pass under pressure from the Daniel defense during their game Friday night in Central.
The game, never more an example of a game of inches, came down to Pickens having three shots inside the Daniel 11-yard line at the end of the game, only to come up empty.
“There is nothing easy this year,” Daniel coach Randy Robinson said. “2015 has been the toughest year of my career. When we get something going, we find a way to mess it up. Like I told the kids last week, at least we found a way to win one this time.”
Pickens coach John Boggs had plenty of praise for his team after the heartbreaking loss.
“These guys pour their hearts out on this field every week,” Boggs said. “They practice great. They’re great young men. They work their tails off every single day. I’m proud of them. I couldn’t be any prouder of any group I’ve ever been a part of or any group I’ve ever coached. These guys, they just come back and battle. They’re a lot of fun to coach.
“Unfortunately, we don’t come away with a win tonight. It was a heck of a football game, a great game to be a part of. We’ll look back on this one day and remember this one. I’m just proud of the way these guys fight and battle. We had our chances there at the end but
Tommy McGaha/seeyourphotohere.com
Pickens’ Adam Thomas fights for yardage during the Blue Flame’s heartbreaking 28-24 loss to Daniel on Friday night.
just didn’t pull it through. We kept giving us chances, and give them credit for that.”
The game had several momentum changes, and it started early. After the Blue Flame forced a Daniel punt, Carter Groomes picked off a Tanner Stegall pass that sailed, giving the Lions momentum.
Then, when Ben Batson’s pass to C.J. Scott and run across the field in which he nearly went to a knee — the Pickens sideline thought he was down — went for 19 and a first down, the Lions were in business. Three plays later, facing a heavy rush, Batson scrambled and found Will Swinney behind the Pickens defense for a 45-yard touchdown with 7:37 left in the first quarter. Rivers Sherrill’s kick made it 7-0.
Pickens came back using a strong rushing attack. The 57-yard drive covered 15 plays, all on the ground, but stalled at the 12. Kicker Matt Gravely then kicked a 30-yard field goal with 11:17 left in the half, making it 7-3.
The Blue Flame defense kept the Lions’ offense in check on the next series, as Renny Croley had a tackle for loss and Ridge Clark sacked Batson.
Pickens took over at its own 38 and after a 23-yard scramble by Stegall, the Blue Flame were in business again. A third-down pass to Adam Thomas came up two yards short, and Gravely tried a 47-yard field goal that just missed on the left side with 4:52 left in the half.
Daniel tried to get going, picking up two first downs. Batson’s pass then was broken up by Thomas, and two plays later, Thomas again got a hand on the ball, which caromed into the air, and free safety Jamal Blythe picked it off at the Blue Flame 38, got a big block from linebacker Cole Seaborn, and returned it to the Lions’ 30.
“We created turnovers all night,” Boggs said. “I think we won the turnover battle again and lost. Two weeks in a row, we win the turnover battle and lose. Normally, when you do that, you win the football game. We were able to convert on some red-zone opportunities, which we didn’t do last week, and we just needed to convert one more. We had opportunities.”
Two plays later, the Blue Flame cashed in that opportunity as Thomas, playing tailback, took a toss right and fired to a wide-open Isaiah Ferguson for an 18-yard scoring pass. Gravely’s kick with 2:17 left in the halfmade it 10-7 at the break.
The Blue Flame got the ball first to start the second half and looked to build on the momentum. Instead, following a penalty, fullback Gunner Covey fumbled. The ball then bounced for several seconds, with both teams getting chances for the recovery that Daniel’s Bru Nimmons finally fell on at the Blue Flame 20.
“That was huge, as it gave them a score and momentum coming out of the locker room,” Boggs said. “But there was a lot of football left, and the kids battled back and took the lead. My hat’s off to Daniel. Their kids fought hard, too. Every game in this region is just as important as the other one. We won’t dwell on this too long. We’re very disappointed right now, and it will take a few days to get over, but the good news is that we don’t practice tomorrow and we don’t practice Sunday. We’ll do it on Monday and we’ll bounce back. These kids will be ready to go. These kids will bounce back. They do it every week.”
Two plays later, Batson hit Scott for a score on a slant pattern from 10 yards out, making it 14-10 with 10:36 left in the quarter.
“You think we get a turnover and have got a chance to score right there. We get a good pass to CJ and we take the lead and we think we’re in good shape,” Robinson said. “They kept grinding the football. Coach Boggs and his staff did a good job of running the ball against our defense.”
The Blue Flame offense had trouble early in the second half, similar to issues the week prior against Seneca. Stegall was sacked by Chris Barnes for a 12-yard loss on third down, forcing a punt.
Daniel reached the Pickens 31 following a Batson-to-Groomes connection for 16 yards, but, on the next play, Robert Jones stepped in front of Batson’s pass in the flats for the pick, giving Pickens the ball back.
Again, the Lions defense held, forcing a punt, this one of 62 yards by Gravely into the end zone. The Lions went to work, as Batson found Swinney for 20, and then on third and five, Batson hit Groomes streaking down the Daniel sideline for a 55-yard scoring strike. Sherrill’s kick made it 21-10 with 3:41 left in the third quarter.
The Blue Flame came back. Thomas had a 51-yard kickoff return, and a late-hit penalty spotted the ball at the Lions’ 30. Pickens went to a direct-snap formation to Thomas, and 10 plays later, Covey took it behind right guard Trevor Gillespie and tackle Croley for the one-yard score. Stegall was stopped on the two-point conversion run by Peter Cote and Avery Conrad, keeping the score 21-16 with 10:24 left.
The Blue Flame defense got the ball right back, as two plays later Batson was again picked off by Blythe at the Lions 30.
Five plays later, Covey scored from four yards out, again going behind the right side of the line. The Blue Flame again went for two, and Stegall hit Covey with a pass making it 24-21 Blue Flame with 7:53 left in the game.
Back came the Lions behind Batson, the sophomore quarterback. He scrambled for 12 and then took a run for 43 to the Pickens 25. Four plays later, facing first and 20, he hit Groomes, who made a sliding catch between two defenders with 6:18 left, making it 28-24.
“We can’t ask for any more out of a sophomore quarterback,” Robinson said. “We’ve got to have more guys around him doing more things. We had some issues up front that we didn’t anticipate. We had to fix those, and by then we had some other mistakes made. It was disappointing this late in the season to be making fundamental errors.”
The Lions forced another punt, this one of 61 yards. But, again, the Blue Flame defense came up huge. Croley sacked Batson, and then on third and 13, Covey tipped Batson’s pass and Clark had it in his grasp for a second at the 4-yard line before it fell to the ground.
Following a punt, Pickens took over at the Daniel 42. On third down, Stegall’s fade pass to Ferguson was picked off in the left corner by Scott with 1:33 left.
The Blue Flame defense held and forced another punt, this one of only 19 yards.
Pickens took over at the Daniel 31 with 29.4 seconds left. Daniel was guilty of pass interference and then a late-hit penalty, putting the ball at the Lions’ 9-yard line. Stegall ran out of bounds for a three-yard loss on first down. His second-down pass to Sam Lawson was caught out of bounds. With one second remaining, Stegall tried to hit Covey, but the pass fell incomplete. Pickens felt there was contact, but there was no flag.
“This team is just different than any Daniel team I’ve had,” Robinson said. “We rise and fall so quickly. You get to the point where you know exactly what you’re going to get. This team, we can win a State championship one week and lose to an 0-10 team the next. We’re very inconsistent.”
Pickens will at Palmetto Friday night in a game that could determine an at-large state playoff berth. Daniel will travel to Walhalla.
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Tigers roll past BC, top-ranked defense
By Colby Lanham
Clemson Athletic Comm.
news@thepccourier.com
CLEMSON — The Clemson offense was again on full display as the No. 5 Tigers [cointent_lockedcontent]downed the Boston College Eagles 34-17 in front of
Kerry Gilstrap/Courier
Former Daniel High School star Shaq Lawson fights to get to the Boston College quarterback during Clemson’s win over the Eagles Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
81,416 fans at Death Valley on Saturday night.
The win extended the Tigers’ home winning streak to 14, setting a new school record. It was also Clemson’s 34th straight win over an unranked opponent.
Deshaun Watson passed for 420 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another as the Tigers overcame the nation’s No. 1 defense. Sophomore wide receiver Artavis Scott finished with 10 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown. The Tigers paved their way through the air against a stout Eagles secondary, as nine different Tigers caught a pass.
“There’s never been a group to win 14 games in a row (at home),” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “I’m so proud of these guys. I loved our guys’ mentality all night.
“I thought Tony (Elliott) and Jeff (Scott) called a great game. Hats off to our offensive staff and our guys for getting it done. We’ve got excellent leadership on this team, and they’ve truly bought into the philosophy we have on this team. Our guys realize and believe wholeheartedly that we’re the best team, and it’s about how we prepare.
“I’m thankful for the juniors and seniors on this team. They know what it takes to be successful, and the leaders on this team are a tremendous group of guys who are really focused on what they’re doing.”
Senior running back Zac Brooks had another solid game for the Tigers, as he hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass on fourth down midway through the second quarter to push the Tigers ahead 17-7. The touchdown reception was the second of Brooks’ career and his first since the Georgia game in 2013.
Clemson’s ability to break down a defense and put up yards in a hurry broke through in the second half when Watson connected with Scott on a 51-yard touchdown pass to cap off a six-play, 98-yard drive to increase the Tigers’ lead to 27-10.
Freshman wide receiver Deon Cain had a career-high 97 receiving yards, which included a 67-yard catch and run that set up a touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Leggett to widen the Tigers’ lead 34-10. Leggett has five touchdown catches on the year. The Tigers totaled the most rushing yards (112), passing yards (420), points (34) and total yards (532) against the Eagle defense in 2015.
Clemson will travel to face Miami on Saturday in its next action. The game is scheduled for a noon kickoff and will be televised by ABC.
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Daniel hangs on to take down Pickens
By Eric Sprott
Courtesy The Journal
esprott@upstatetoday.com
CENTRAL — Nothing has come easy for the Daniel High School football team this season, and the look on head coach Randy
John Bolton/BoltonPhoto.com
Nykea Greenlee was named Daniel High School’s 2015 homecoming queen at halftime of Friday’s game.
Robinson’s face indicated as much in the wake of his Lions’ victory over Pickens on Friday night.
In the final seconds of a back-and-forth affair at Singleton Field, Daniel hung on by the slimmest of margins, holding the Blue Flame scoreless on three plays from inside the 11-yard line in the final 14 seconds to capture a 28-24 victory.
“This has been the toughest year of my career,” Robinson said. “When we get something going, we find a way to mess it up … but at least for a change, we found a way to win one this time,”
What the Lions (3-5, 3-2 Western 3A) had going for them going into Friday night was some positive momentum after a one-point loss last week at Belton-Honea Path, which they were a successful two-point conversion shy of winning.
But for whatever reason, that momentum didn’t carry over against the Blue Flame (3-5, 2-3) on Friday.
“This team is just different than any Daniel team I’ve had,” Robinson said. “We rise and fall so quickly, and most teams you get to the point where you know exactly what you’re going to get.
“This team, we can win a State championship one day, and lose to an 0-10 team the next day. It’s just very inconsistent.”
Daniel got off to a promising enough start against Pickens, as Ben Batson — who finished 13-of-26 passing for 236 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions — found Will Swinney for a 45-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter. However, Pickens powered ahead for a 10-7 halftime lead thanks largely to a halfback pass from Adam Thomas to Isaiah Ferguson with less than two minutes until the break.
Daniel then started the second half strong, as a Bru Nimmons fumble recovery on the Blue Flame’s opening drive led directly to a 10-yard scoring strike from Batson to C.J. Scott. Later in the quarter, Batson found Carter Groomes for a 55-yard score to give the Lions a 21-10 lead.
“We take the lead and are sitting there thinking we’re in good shape, but Pickens kept grinding the football,” Robinson said. “They did a good job running the ball against our defense.”
But as the Lions’ offense bogged down, Pickens’ Gunner Covey dove in for 1–yard score early in the fourth quarter, and following a Daniel turnover, scored from 4 yards out to give the Blue Flame a 24-21 lead with 7:53 to play.
Batson then engineered a five-play, 80-yard drive — highlighted by a 43-yard run by the sophomore signal caller — which he capped with a 21-yard yard scoring strike to Groomes, who finished with 107 yards and two scores on four second-half catches, to put Daniel ahead for good at 28-24 with 6:18 left.
Daniel then looked to have sealed the game with 1:33 to play on an interception from Scott in the end zone.
“It was the same play as the play they ran before,” Scott said. “Every time they came to my side, it was a go route, so I expected that one.”
However, Daniel’s ensuing drive went nowhere, and Pickens got the ball back at the Lions’ 31-yard line with 29 seconds to play. Pass interference and personal foul penalties helped the Blue Flame drive all the way to the 9-yard line, but Daniel got a tackle for loss and forced two incomplete passes to end the night and seal the victory.
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ESTATES
All persons having claims against the following estates MUST file their claims on Form #371ES with the Probate Court of PICKENS COUNTY, the address of which is 222 MCDANIEL AVE., B-16 PICKENS, SC 29671, within eight (8) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice to Creditors or within one (1) year from date of death, whichever is earlier (SCPC 62-3-801, et seq.), or such persons shall be forever barred as to their claims. All claims are required to be presented in written statements on the prescribed form (FORM #371ES) indicating the name and address of the claimant, the basis of the claim, the amount claimed, the date when the claim will become due, the nature of any uncertainty as to the claim, and a description of any security as to the claim.
Estate: Anna Estella Willis
Date of Death: 08/20/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900615
Personal Representative: Sara N. Ballentine
Address: 231 Camelot Rd.
Clemson, SC 29631
Oct. 7, 14, 21
Estate: Billy Ralph Stansell
Date of Death: 08/10/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900576
Personal Representative: Linda Sue Stansell
Address: 104 Summer St.
Easley, SC 29642
Attorney: Daniel E. Hunt
Address: P.O. Box 887
Easley, SC 29641
Oct. 7, 14, 21
Estate: Sara Payne Kelly
Date of Death: 08/26/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900591
Personal Representative: Sara K. Palmer
Address: 127 Oakhurst Circle
Central, SC 29630
Oct. 7, 14, 21
Estate: Linda Jones Hunter
Date of Death: 08/17/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900631
Personal Representative: James Benny Hunter
Address: 220 Cannery Rd
Easley, SC 29640
Oct. 7, 14, 21
Estate: Jerry H. Crawford
Date of Death: 09/05/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900625
Personal Representative: Geneva P. Crawford
Address: 105 Willow Place
Easley, SC 29640
Attorney: James M. Robinson
Address: P.O. Box 738
Easley, SC 29641
Oct. 14, 21, 28
Estate: Bobby Joe Lawing
Date of Death: 04/09/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900643
Personal Representative: Joseph R. Lawing
Address: 4261 Hathaway Lane
Mt. Olive, AL 35117
Attorney: Adam B. Lambert
Address: Post Office Box 9
Pickens, SC 29671
Oct. 14, 21, 28
Estate: Jeanne Early Hagood
Date of Death: 09/11/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900629
Personal Representative: Ben F. Hagood III
Address: 1019 Harpers Way
Anderson, SC 29621
Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4
Estate: John Eric Watson
Date of Death: 07/28/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900665
Personal Representative: Ivan Watson Bolds
Address: 119 Hornbuckle Dr.
Easley, SC 29642
Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4
Estate: John Willis Taylor
Date of Death: 06/19/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900666
Personal Representative: Betty Jo Taylor
Address: 111 Vista Drive
Clemson, SC 29631
Attorney: L. Lee Plumblee
Address: Post Office Box 10066
Greenville, SC 29603
Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4
Estate: Rhonda Renee Pitts
Date of Death: 03/22/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900661
Personal Representative: Debra Deann Pitts
Address: 208 Garden Dr., Apt. 63
Pickens, SC 29671
Attorney: Sarah Meadows
Address: 200 East Main St.
Easley, SC 29640
Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4
Estate: Corliss Gladys Jensen Martin
Date of Death: 09/11/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900604
Personal Representative: Nelson J. Martin
Address: 419 Gibson Rd.
Anderson, SC 29625
Attorney: Brian K. James
Address: Post Office Box 93
Easley, SC 29641
Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4
Estate: Sybil Trotter Pilgrim
Date of Death: 10/03/2015
Case Number: 2015ES3900658
Personal Representative: Calvin Lee Trotter
Address: 111 Grasshopper Hill Road
Pickens, SC 29671
Attorney: Daniel E. Hunt
Address: P.O. Box 887
Easley, SC 29641
Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4
