Third time indeed charm for Bishops

The third time, indeed, was the charm for Bishop England.

Bishop England quarterback Mikell Fosberry threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Bishops past Edisto, 24-7, before a crowd of about 2,000 at Jack Cantey Stadium in the opening round of the Class AA playoffs.

The Bishops, who improved to 9-2 overall, will take on Timberland next Friday night.

It was the third time in four years the Bishops and Cougars have met in the Class AA playoffs. The Bishops were winless against the Cougars in two prior meetings in the postseason, including last year's 23-21 Edisto victory.

"It's not good to see them on the bracket because they always play us so tough and they've always got athletes that can make plays," said Bishop England first-year head coach John Cantey. "Last year we went up there a little overconfident and we were kind of looking ahead and they made us pay for it.

"This year we were focused on them and realizing in the playoffs it's one game at a time and we took care of business."

The combination of Fosberry and wide receiver Thomas King proved lethal the entire game. King finished with four receptions for 135 yards and a TD.

"Thomas has great hands," Cantey said. "He's been solid for us all season. He made some big plays tonight. Mikell is only sophomore, but he plays with a lot of composure. He's very calm out there."

The Bishops grabbed a 7-0 lead on their second offensive possession of the game.

The 86-yard, 14-play drive was capped off by an 11-yard TD pass from Fosberry to King.

"That kind of set the tone for us offensively," Cantey said.

After a Chris Stickland interception in the end zone, the Bishops pushed their advantage to 10-0 on Thomas Warren's 25-yard field goal with 4:41 left before halftime. The drive was highlighted by Fosberry's 75-yard pass to King. Fosberry hit King over the middle on a routine slant pass. King slid out of a tackle at the Bishops' 30, picked up a block, and was finally taken down at the Cougars' 4-yard line. However, the drive stalled and the Bishops had to settle for Warren's short field goal.

Bishop England wasted little time extending its advantage in the third quarter as Thomas Grimsley returned the second- half kickoff 96 yards for a TD to give the Bishops a 17-0 just 15 seconds into the quarter.

"It was a huge play and big momentum swing for us," Cantey said.

"We wanted to put them down right away in the third quarter. Everyone worked together and we blocked really well on that return."

The Cougars closed the gap to 17-7 just before the end of the third quarter on Kamrie Connell's 14-yard TD pass to Legrand Thomas on a fourth-and-goal play.

Bishop England answered on its next possession when Fosberry threw his second TD pass of the game, this one a 3-yard slant to Cody Cramer with 7:22 left in regulation.

King made two crucial catches during the drive, including a 26-yard reception on a fourth-and-5 play that took the ball down to the Cougars' 3-yard line.

BE — Thomas King 11 pass from QB Mikell Fosberry (PK Thomas Warren kick)

BE — Thomas Warren 25 FG

BE — Thomas Grimsley 96 kickoff return (PK Thomas Warren kick)

E — Legrand Thomas 14 pass from QB Kamrie Connell (PK Corey Pitt kick)

BE — Cody Cramer 3 pass from QB Mikell Fosberry (PK Thomas Warren kick)