Seldom have I been as shocked as while watching Duke defeat Clemson, 28-7, on Monday night.
I thought the Blue Devils might pull out a close one, but I did not expect the Tigers to implode in the fourth quarter.
I wonder when was the last time both Clemson and South Carolina fans were as ticked off on the same weekend.
As is said in Animal House, “Remain calm. All is well.”
One game does not a season make.
A little awareness of their own mortality might do both teams some good.
It bothered me when I read various Twitter posts admonishing Dabo Swinney for not diving more actively into the transfer protocol.
It is to Swinney’s credit that he recruits players who mostly stay at Clemson and concentrates on developing high-school signees.
Any analysis of Clemson’s recruiting suggests that the Tigers have plenty of talent. They can win that way.
It’s okay for fans to react. Just don’t overreact.
Laurens Academy’s Garrett Murphy is the county Touchdown Club’s Player of the Week.
The junior played impressively at running back, outside linebacker and on special teams in the Crusaders’ 58-0 shutout of Newberry Academy.
Murphy made 12 tackles, three of them for losses, and forced a fumble. He carried the ball eight times for 116 yards and a touchdown, put up two touchdowns on five receptions for 94 yards, and scored twice on two-point conversions as LA won for the first time.
“Garrett is a relentless worker [who] practices as hard as he plays, serves as well as he scores TDs, blocks as well as he catches, fakes as well as he runs, makes special plays on special teams and plays assignments to annihilation on defense,” stated his head coach, Jolly Doolittle.
Thursday’s meeting – noon at The Ridge in Laurens – honors Murphy and the previous week’s recipient, Clinton linebacker Brett Young.
The meeting is open to the public for $15, which includes a catered meal.
Presbyterian College head coach Steve Englehart is the guest speaker, two days ahead of the Blue Hose’ home opener versus Virginia University of Lynchburg.
The Laurens County Touchdown Club meets every other Thursday throughout the football season at The Ridge, located in Laurens at 301 Exchange Road.
The featured speaker on Sept. 21 is Newberry College head coach Todd Knight.
Clinton is now third in Class 3A in the S.C. Media Poll. Region 4 rival Chester, also 3-0, is fourth, and upcoming opponent Chapman (2-1) is eighth. The Panthers host Laurens on Friday night.
CLASS 5A 1. Summerville (17) (2-0) 2. Gaffney (2) (2-1) 3. Sumter (1) (3-0) 4. Lexington (3-0) 5. Hillcrest (3-0) 6. Spartanburg (2-1) 7. Byrnes (2-1) 8. Fort Dorchester (1-1) 9. T.L. Hanna (2-1) and 10. JL Mann (3-0). Others receiving votes: Boiling Springs, White Knoll, Ashley Ridge, Dutch Fork, Blythewood and Cane Bay
CLASS 4A 1. South Florence (17) (3-0) 2. Hartsville (1) (2-0) 3. Northwestern (1) (1-1) 4. South Pointe (1) (2-1) 5. James Island (3-0) 6. Irmo (3-0) 7. Greenwood (2-1) 8. West Florence (2-1) 9. A.C. Flora (1-1) and 10. Midland Valley (3-0). Others receiving votes: Greenville, Westside, Lucy Beckham and York, Ridge View.
CLASS 3A 1. Dillon (16) (2-0) 2. Daniel (1) (2-0) 3. Clinton (2) (3-0) 4. Chester (3-0) 5. Belton-Honea Path (1) (2-0) 6. Gilbert (2-0) 7. Camden (2-1) 8. Chapman 2-1 9. Brookland-Cayce (2-0) and 10. Broome (2-1). Others receiving votes: Manning, Crestwood, Seneca, Philip Simmons, Beaufort, Loris, Pendleton, Powdersville and Crescent
CLASS 2A 1. Abbeville (15) (3-0) 2. Gray Collegiate (5) (3-0) 3. Oceanside Collegiate (2-1) 4. Marion (3-0) 5. Hampton County (3-0) 6. Saluda (3-0) 7. Fairfield Central (2-1) 8. Silver Bluff (2-1) 9. Strom Thurmond (2-1) and 10. Woodland (1-0). Others receiving votes: Ninety Six, Chesnee and Timberland
CLASS A 1. Lewisville (11) (2-1) 2. Christ Church (5) (2-1) 3. St. Joseph’s (4) (3-0) 4. Denmark-Olar (3-0) 5. Calhoun County (3-0) 6. (tie) Bamberg-Ehrhardt (2-1) 6. (tie) Whale Branch (2-0) 8. Lamar (1-2) 9. Southside Christian (0-2) and 10. Blackville-Hilda (3-0). Others receiving votes: Latta, Lake View, Johnsonville, Wagener-Salley, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, Hannah-Pamplico and Cross
The Clinton junior varsity team won its 38th consecutive game last week, defeating Newberry, 28-8.
The Red Devils survived a scare as the Bulldogs led, 8-6, at halftime.
Clinton (2-0) bounced back with two touchdowns in the third quarter and one in the fourth. Rhett Gilliams scored two rushing touchdowns and K.J. Vance added a third. Owen Glenn threw a TD pass to Nyterian Smith, and Bryson Perrin intercepted a Bulldog pass.
“Our kids came out a little sluggish but were able to bounce back in the second half and play well enough to win,” stated coach Dontavius Glenn. “Proud of the effort after facing adversity.”
Laurens (0-2) played better but fell, 20-7, at Belton-Honea Path, which led 14-0 at halftime.
B.J. Hill scored for the Raiders on 43-yard run, and Diego Angeles booted the extra point.
The Clinton boys’ cross country team cracked the top 10 (8th of 49 teams) at the Eye Opener in Spartanburg.
Charlie Cody set a school 5,000-meter record, finishing seventh at 16:41.4.
The girls team finished 42nd out of 50, led by Elizabeth Reid, 35th at 21:53.7.
Laurens picked up a 2-1 victory over Fountain Inn and fell 3-0 to Woodruff in volleyball. Zakhia Davenport had 20 digs, while Ellen Reynolds had 17 assists and seven aces against the Fury.
Laurens (2-5) got 10 digs from Davenport against the Wolverines.
Thornwell captured a 3-2 road volleyball victory over McCormick, where its football team visits on Friday night.
Newberry spoiled Clinton’s girls’ tennis opener, winning 4-3 over the Red Devils by the margin of a forfeit at No, 2 doubles.
# 1 Singles Chandler Dailey lost to Elizabeth Yi 6 – 2, 6 – 0
# 2 Singles Libby Dailey lost to Kenzie Long 5 – 7, 6 – 3, 10 – 5
# 3 Singles Kimora Wesley defeated Bentleigh Gram 6 – 0, 6 – 1
# 4 Singles Carly McMillan defeated Zoe Reid 6 – 4, 6 – 2
# 5 Singles Merin Orr defeated Katie Gomez 6 – 0, 2 – 1 (Retired)
# 1 Doubles C. Dailey & K. Wesley lost to Yi & Long 5 – 7, 6 – 1, 10 – 3
# 2 Doubles CHS lost by forfeit
Laurens fell in girls’ tennis, 4-2 to Fountain Inn and 6-0 to Hillcrest. Laurens won at No. 1 singles with Kelsie Little and No. 2 with Sara Beth Field, against the Fury.
All four goals came in the first half as Presbyterian and Jacksonville tied, 2-2, on the Dolphins’ home pitch.
Lindsey Malyszek and Lina-Marie Muller scored the PC goals. Brian Purcell’s women’s team is 1-4-1.
Presbyterian’s Kinsey Bailey made the all-tournament team at the UTA (Texas-Arlington) Classic. The Blue Hose lost all three matches, 3-0 to UTA and Incarnate Word and 3-2 to Louisiana Tech.
Please support the advertisers who make the site possible.
I could still use some help. The site is free for readers but gets by on the advertising and support from readers who enjoy the coverage it provides. Make a contribution by sending a check to DHK Sports, P.O. Box 768, Clinton, S.C. 29325 or by making a monthly contribution at Patreon.
Another way I can derive some revenue is if you purchase my books at MonteDutton.net.
I’m hosting another Open Mic on Wednesday, 8 p.m., at Fiesta Grande Mexican Restaurant (see the ad above). Bring your instrument and some friends to cheer you on. Eat some good food, then join us for some music.
Nightrider's Lament 