County Signs: One more step to glory for Devils

By MONTE DUTTON Clayton Lawson (60), Tre Aiken (70) block downfield for Javen Cook (Monte Dutton photos). Click here. A state championship carries with it inherent uncertainty. It’s similar to the way major-league baseball was before interleague play.Clinton (11-2) and Barnwell (13-1) haven’t played … ever. Neither has played any team the other has this …

Continue reading County Signs: One more step to glory for Devils

Furmanology: Paladins conquer Buccaneers, 58-42

By MONTE DUTTON Clay Hendrix is riding the comeback trail (Furman photo) Click here. Perhaps there is some consolation in Furman’s 3-8 record in football.The Paladins are hardly alone in upward or downward mobility.Arizona State improved this year from 3-9 to 11-2. Florida State fell from 13-1 to 2-10. The Seminoles are a poster child …

Continue reading Furmanology: Paladins conquer Buccaneers, 58-42

County Signs: The game changes as much as the games

By MONTE DUTTON Click here. It’s been a great football season for Clinton. It was a great one for Laurens Academy, a good one for Presbyterian College and a disaster for Laurens High.At the beginning of the season, I thought the Raiders would have Laurens County’s most improved team. Now I think they will next …

Continue reading County Signs: The game changes as much as the games

County Signs: Battle royal looms at Wilder Stadium

By MONTE DUTTON Kynius Williams on the pass rush (Monte Dutton photos) Click here. Nothing could be finer than to be in Clinton, South Carolina, at least until Friday night when the Red Devils’ further fate is decided in the Upstate football championship of Class 2A.It’s at Wilder Stadium, the last home game of the …

Continue reading County Signs: Battle royal looms at Wilder Stadium

Furmanology: ‘Paladins, Paladins, where do you roam?’

By MONTE DUTTON Ben Vander Wal became the 11th Paladin to score in double figures this season (Furman photo). Click here. It’s early in the annual basketball wars, but both Furman teams are storming the proverbial beaches so far.The men's Dins of Bob Richey and the women of Pierre Curtis are a combined 15-4, and …

Continue reading Furmanology: ‘Paladins, Paladins, where do you roam?’

County Signs: Last teams playing are true believers

By MONTE DUTTON The season is up in the air (Monte Dutton photos). Click here. The few high-school football teams left playing share a common sense of destiny.They all believe they are going to win the state championship, regardless of classification.The lads playing ball at Clinton (10-2) and Fairfield Central (12-1) are both going into …

Continue reading County Signs: Last teams playing are true believers

Furmanology: Deadlines and commitments

By MONTE DUTTON Click here. It’s funny how many times common results and scores, otherwise lesser means of comparison, are cited when the choices of who gets in and who gets left out are defended.For all the formulas and analytics, the selection committees swap more horses than the Pony Express ever did.In college football last …

Continue reading Furmanology: Deadlines and commitments

Furmanology: Student-athletes gon’ be student-athletes

By MONTE DUTTON (Furman photo) Click here. After a rash of brawls marring the great football rivalries of the land, I put some thought into the nature of untoward behavior at gridiron gatherings.First of all, I’m one to write. Among the mistakes of a misspent youth was once touching off a brawl in a high-school …

Continue reading Furmanology: Student-athletes gon’ be student-athletes