For the first time this season, Hilton Head Christian Academy will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will square off against the Pinewood Prep Panthers at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Hilton Head Christian Academy has given up an average of 39.4 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Hilton Head Christian Academy's offense might be in the hot seat on Friday considering what happened against Hammond on Friday. They took a blow against the Skyhawks, falling 56-0. While losing is never fun, the Eagles can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' South Carolina football rankings (they are ranked 127th, while the Skyhawks are ranked 44th).
Meanwhile, Pinewood Prep had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 43 points) and they went ahead and made it three on Friday. They blew past the Swampcats 50-25. The Panthers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four contests by 25 points or more this season.
Hilton Head Christian Academy better keep an eye on Silas Brawner. He was instrumental in Pinewood Prep's win, throwing for 367 yards and four TDs while picking up 15.3 yards per attempt. Brawner is on a roll when it comes to passing touchdowns, as he's now passed for four or more in each of the last three games he's played. Jayden Alexander was Brawner's top target, picking up 109 receiving yards and a pair of scores.
One reason for the win was Pinewood Prep's imposing defense, which managed to get into the backfield for five sacks. Jacob Sweet was especially locked on to Laurence Manning Academy's QB and sacked him twice. Sweet also set a new season-high mark in total tackles with seven. Another thorn in Laurence Manning Academy's side was Grady Fuller, who forced one fumble, made 13 total tackles, and defended one pass in addition to snagging an interception.
Special teams played a big role in the game for Pinewood Prep, adding 12 points to the final score. The biggest highlight from special teams (and perhaps the team as a whole) came courtesy of Carson Good, who ran a kickoff back for a touchdown.
Hilton Head Christian Academy's loss ended a five-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 2-3. As for Pinewood Prep, their win bumped their record up to 4-1.
Friday's matchup will pit two of the most dominant signal callers against one another: Reid McCollum and Brawner. McCollum just won't slow down this season and has averaged 230.2 passing yards per game. Brawner has been a dominant force too and has thrown 18 touchdowns (and and only 3 pick) while averaging 261.2 passing yards per game.
Hilton Head Christian Academy was dealt a bruising 60-20 defeat at the hands of Pinewood Prep when the teams last played back in September of 2024. Thankfully for the Eagles, Asa Windham (who threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns while completing 81.5% of his passes, and also rushed for 31 yards) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.
