Published Thursday, November 10, 2011 10:25 AM
Updated Thursday, November 10, 2011 10:52 AM

 

Photo by: Jairy C. Hunter MD

Green Wave opens playoffs against Patriots

When Summerville faced Fort Dorchester earlier this season the game came down to the wire and there is no reason to expect things to be different when the rivals face off again in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Green Wave (7-4) hosts the Patriots (7-4) in an elimination game at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

“Neither of us have had the season we wanted to have, but it’s the playoffs so there is a new slate,” Fort Dorchester coach Steve LaPrad said. “This is the opportunity for one of us to turn things around so I’m sure it will be a heck of a ball game.”

The rivals, who more or less play identical schedules, share losses to Ashley Ridge and Goose Creek. Summerville also dropped games to Beaufort and West Ashley while Fort Dorchester suffered a 17-3 loss to Summerville Sept. 16 and fell to Stratford.

In the first game against the Wave, the Patriots were in the red zone and looking to tie the game late in the final quarter when Darin Smalls intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it for a Summerville touchdown. The Wave’s other two scores in the game were set up by fumble recoveries by the Summerville defense, which was outstanding that night.

The game is indicative of the Wave’s season. Summerville has been plagued by turnovers and offensive miscues, but the team’s defense has kept it in most games.

“If we want to beat Fort Dorchester we can’t have any turnovers or foolish penalties,” Summerville coach John McKissick said. “I’m encouraged by the way we played last week. We cut down on the fumbles and only had three penalties. But we will have to play well Friday. Fort Dorchester has a good football team.”

Patriot QB Ethan Long has completed 200 passes this season for 2,538 yards and 27 TDs. He has a talented group of receivers to throw to and the Patriots have had success running the football at times.

“They have been able to kind of do what we did when we had Reid McCollum and A.J. Green; their quarterback stands back in the pocket and finds a target,” McKissick said. “I’m not looking forward to this.”

However, the defensive secondary has been a strength for the Wave all season. With Smalls and senior Matt White anchoring the unit, Summerville has made 11 interceptions and broke up 50 other pass attempts this season. Summerville also has 31 sacks on the season.

The Patriots’ defense has not been consistent this season and Summerville has moved the ball with its offense at times. The Wave has 2,404 yards of total offense on the year while allowing its opponents 2,817 yards.

“We didn’t play well defensively last week,” LaPrad said. “We will have to tackle better Friday and make sure we play well on offense. Summerville always plays us hard and they are always prepared for us so that is what we are preparing for. I’m sure they are happy to play us because lately they always beat us. It is up to us to see if we can change that.”

Summerville leads the series 18-2. The Patriots haven’t beat Summerville since LaPrad took over the Fort program.

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com