Stags need to fire on all cylinders

BERKELEY AT SOUTH POINTE

It's not the way you want your week to begin when the South Pointe Stallions are on the schedule.

Berkeley coach Jerry Brown said starting lineman Jamicheal Beckford sprained his ankle Monday night when he walked home from practice.

"He was walking through the woods and he tripped over a wood pile," Brown said. "We don't know if he will play."

Berkeley, which owns an 8-4 record, needs all its weapons when the Stags travel to Rock Hill to play South Pointe at 7:30 p.m. today in a Division II-AAAA playoff game.

South Pointe, which is in its fourth year of existence and third year of fielding a varsity team, has playmakers galore on offense, and speed and strength on defense. That's why the Stallions are 12-0, averaging 44.5 points per game while allowing only 4.7 on defense, which is best in the state.

"On offense, all of their players, especially their playmakers, are solid," Brown said. "But their quarterback is extraordinary. On defense, they have great quickness. They can shut you down. What, they're giving up something like four points a game."

The Stallions' quarterback is Stephon Gilmore. He's projected to play defense when he signs with the South Carolina Gamecocks in February. But for now, he's one of the top quarterbacks in the state and has been selected to play in the Shrine Bowl.

Berkeley advanced to tonight's game with a 17-7 victory over Beaufort. The Eagles were seeking their second straight trip to the Division II-AAAA championship game.

"One of the lessons we learned is sometimes you lose more than a game, and sometimes you win more than a game," Brown said. "Beaufort lost to Summerville (in the 10th week) and wasn't the same team. When we beat Fort, it was more than a win. It gave us a second life, a new wind."

Berkeley defeated South Pointe in the second round of the playoffs last fall. Berkeley looked like it was going to win big, taking a 28-6 lead. But the game wasn't settled until a punt bounced off a Stallion player and the Stags recovered and scored a field goal.

"Last year, we had the experience, the playmakers and it was our year," Brown said. "This year, they have the experience. They've had the same varsity (Bobby Carroll) coach for four years and that has allowed them to mature. They're smart and understand football. They're in the same situation we were in last year. They have some great playmakers. They probably have more playmakers than anybody in the state."

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