TSA, HHC playing for 2A title berth

By PATRICK ENZOR
Item Sports Writer
penzor@theitem.com

Thomas Sumter Academy has been here before. After Friday, the

Generals want to be somewhere different.

The Generals host Hilton Head Christian today in the SCISA 2A semifinals with the winner earning a spot in the state title game. Last year, TSA fell just short of the state title game with a 23-20 loss in the second round to eventual state champion Hilton Head Prep.

"We have to play good football," TSA head coach Troy Kessinger said of taking the next step. "Being a big game, they should be a little more excited. We are focused on what we've got to do. We have to execute and be very physical. Hopefully, we can out-physical them."

TSA enters the game at 9-2 and is on a three-game winning streak. HHC is 8-3 on the season and is coming off a 40-16 win over Pee Dee in the first round.

HHC runs a spread offense and has a trio of dangerous receivers for quarterback Luke Sirgio. Mark McDevitt has caught 38 passes for 788 yards and 10 touchdowns, Joey Davis has 44 receptions for 587 yards and eight scores and Zac Lenns has hauled in 45 passes for 547 yards and four TDs.

Sirgio has completed 166 of 264 passes for 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns.

"We've got to play fast," said Kessinger. "The defense needs to be turned loose instead of being hesitant. They run the spread and we've struggled with it some this year. We don't run it, so we don't practice it.

"We are very focused on us, not so much the other team," he added. "(We're) trying to correct our mistakes."

Kessinger is hoping to butter the Generals' bread with running backs Phillip Frazier and Dustin Scott.

Against Hilton Head Prep in the first round last week, Frazier led all rushers with 183 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Scott had five catches for 102 yards and a score, and four carries for 34 yards.

Quarterback Blake Stengel completed 10 of 15 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown. He added 40 yards and a score on the ground.

"Dustin will be more involved this week," said Kessinger. "You definitely know what you're getting with Frazier. We've got to take care of the ball.

"The offensive line was (against HHP) as good as its been since I've been here," he added. "They've been getting better every week and just put it together last week."

Since a 44-0 defeated to 3A Heathwood Hall, the Generals have outscored their opponents 96-34 in the last three games. While no loss is fun, Kessinger hopes the Heathwood game was a wakeup call of sorts.

"It would be great to go 14-0 and win it all," he said. "Sometimes a couple losses here and there get you focused. You know you aren't quite where you want to be.

"I know we took a butt whipping," Kessinger added. "Those games can either make you cower or stand up."