SUNDAY AUGUST 25TH, 2019
By J. Scott Sewell | jscott@theitem.com
Manning took care of business on Friday, crushing their crosstown 1A rival 62-8 at Ramsey Stadium.
Both teams focused on the ground attack in their season openers, totaling just 41 yards in the air on the evening.
The Monarchs took control from the start, scoring their first touchdown of the season on a two-yard run by senior Caleb Wright. Wright finished with three touchdowns on the evening, including a 24-yard scramble to put Manning ahead 21-0 with 10:01 remaining in the second quarter.
Manning's special teams unit was especially impressive, blocking three punts, and returning two of those for touchdowns. The Monarchs added a third special teams...
MONDAY AUGUST 26TH, 2019
By Dennis Brunson | dennis@theitem.com
The Lakewood High School football team fell short against Colleton County 20-19 in its season opener at J. Frank Baker Stadium on Friday.
The game was delayed by lightning early in the third quarter for about one hour.
Last year's meeting between the two teams had to be completed on a Saturday at Sumter High's Memorial Stadium after the game was started on a Friday at Baker Stadium. The Gators ended up winning the game 35-19.
Lakewood put itself in a hole right off the bat...
TUESDAY AUGUST 27TH, 2019
By Dennis Brunson | dennis@theitem.com
Despite committing eight turnovers, the Sumter High School football team managed to come away with a 28-21 victory over Rock Hill last Friday.
And the young Gamecock defense had a lot to do with it, and linebacker Donte' Coleman was happy it happened that way - or course, since his team won.
Honestly, in the heat of the moment it was a little bit hectic," Coleman said....
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28TH, 2019
By J. Scott Sewell | jscott@theitem.com
The University of South Carolina Sumter men's soccer team came back from a 2-1 deficit in the second half to down USC Salkehatchie 4-2 in their home opener on Tuesday at USC Sumter Soccer Field.
Connor McAlister, a former Sumter High School standout, and freshman Addison Bryant from St. James High in Myrtle Beach, scored two goals apiece to help the Fire Ants improve to 2-1 on the season.
USC Salkehatchie jumped out to an early 1-0 lead
THURSDAY AUGUST 29TH, 2019
By Tim Leible | tim@theitem.com
The Laurence Manning Academy football team didn't have a Week Zero matchup last week, so it's anxious to finally hit the field on Friday. The Swampcats will open their season with a SCISA 3A game against Augusta Christian School on the road, and they're ready to finally start getting after an opponent.
"We haven't played an opponent since our scrimmage," said first-year LMA head coach Austin Floyd. "Our guys are kinda tired of banging on each other. We're ready to bang on somebody else for sure."
Augusta Christian was able to play last week, but didn't even make it to halftime before the weather affected the game. The Lions used the little time they played efficiently,...
FRIDAY AUGUST 30TH, 2019
By Dennis Brunson | dennis@theitem.com
Defensive end Justus Boone had a monster game for Sumter High School in its 28-21, season-opening football victory over Rock Hill last Friday in Rock Hill. The junior hoped his eight tackles, including 3 1/2 quarterback sacks would get him noticed by college recruiters.
"Yes sir, I was hoping that it would get me some attention," the 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pounder said.
It indeed did as Boone got an offer...
SATURDAY AUGUST 31ST, 2019
By Dennis Brunson | dennis@theitem.com
DALZELL - The more Sumter High School got the football in the first quarter of its game with Crestwood on Friday, the easier it got.
Well, at least for the first three series of the game, but it still ended up being easy pickings for the Gamecocks after that.
SHS needed just 10 plays to score four touchdowns in the first quarter and led 42-0 at halftime on the way to a 63-2 win over its Sumter School District rival at Donald L. Crolley Memorial Stadium.
"We looked better," Gamecocks head coach Mark Barnes said with a laugh as he referenced his team's 8-turnover performance in a 28-21 win over Rock Hill in last week's season opener.
"They (the Knights) just caught us on a bad night. We came out and really played well. There really isn't much difference (between Crestwood and Rock Hill) defensively. We just came out and played really well."
Barnes gave kudos to his offensive line. After struggling mightily against Rock Hill...
