Wagener-Salley and Hephzibah, two of the area’s hottest teams, extended their impressive play into the heart of their respective region schedules with blowout victories at home last Friday.

Wagener-Salley 49, Blackville-Hilda 12

Wagener-Salley, ranked #2 in the latest South Carolina class 2A writers poll, made quick work of #4 Blackville-Hilda at home to improve to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in region play. The War Eagles received notable contributions from an abundance of play makers:

Explosive junior AJ Swedenburg scored 2 touchdowns and gained 108 yards on only three receptions. Jhuatieq Davis rushed for 2 touchdowns and gained 108 yards on 9 bruising carries. Quarterback Gaige Starnes added a receiving touchdown (from Kevin Jackson, who also rushed for a score) to go along with his 2 touchdown passes. Jeremiah Bynem led the charge defensively, recording 11 tackles, while Nigel Brown (9 tackles), Ethan Stroman (9), Roderick Williams (7) and Elijah Davis (7) weren’t far behind in making stops.

Wagener-Salley will host Williston-Elko (1-4, 0-1) Friday.

Hephzibah 48, Glenn Hills 13

Hephzibah’s Marshall Chambers tossed 3 touchdown passes and logged 256 yards in the air in a 48-13 win over Glenn Hills. Chambers’ three scoring throws went for 61 yards (to Jaiden Wofford), 38 yards (to E’Shawn Mayes), and 25 yards (to Erick Harris). Mayes caught 5 passes for 101 total yards.

Ronald Coleman (8 tackles) and Nickolas Callen (9 tackles) helped lead an opportunistic defensive effort that included a touchdown by Coleman on a fumble recovery. Callen forced 2 Glenn Hills fumbles. Malachi Louis led the Rebels in tackles with 10.

Hephzibah improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in class 2A region (4) action ahead of this Friday’s showdown on the road against defending region champion Jefferson County (3-2, 3-0). First place in the region will be on the line when the Rebels meet the Warriors, who topped Harlem (2-3, 2-1) 42-32 last Friday at home.

Also victorious in class 2A region (4) play last week was Westside (2-2, 2-1), which thumped Josey 49-0.