LMA liking its chances

By TREVOR ZION BAUKNIGHT
Item Sports Writer

After last week’s dramatic 26-19 overtime victory over Porter-Gaud in its regular seasn finale, the Laurence Manning Academy varsity football team is feeling pretty good heading into the SCISA 3A state playoffs. The Swampcats host Ben Lippen tonight at LMA’s Billy Chitwood Field in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

With the win, Laurence Manning closed out its regular season with a 6-4 overall record and a 3-1 mark in SCISA Region II-3A. LMA was second in the region behind Wilson Hall, which survived a 2-point conversion attempt by LMA to win their head-to-head contest 34-33. The Swampcats’ other three losses were to Augusta Christian (21-14), Heathwood Hall (38-27)and Hammond (40-7).

The Falcons enter the game having finished third in the tough Columbia-area Region I with a 2-2 region mark and a 9-2 overall record. Their only losses were also to Hammond (24-21) and Heathwood Hall (24-10). Ben Lippen beat Augusta Christian 42-20 and did not play Wilson Hall.

“Their record speaks for itself,” said LMA head coach Ken Kellahan. “They’ve had a very good regular season, had a big lead over Hammond and had some turnovers that hurt them in the Heathwood game — I would rate them up there with the best of the best in SCISA this year.

“Their quarterback is a talented kid and they have some wideouts that can make some plays,” Kellahan added. “We’ve got to just do what we do, put pressure on (quarterback Joey Carter) and try to eliminate the big play.”

Kellahan said it was important for his team to bounce back with a win in the last regular-season game before heading into the playoffs.

“Ben Lippen has a good team, but we’ve got a pretty good team, too,” Kellahan said. “That’s what we’ve been telling our kids, that we’re right there in the middle of it and we can win this thing as easily as anybody. I don’t know if they realize how close they are to something really special. I’m excited about the matchup, and if our kids come to play, I’m ready to play anybody.

“It was very important (to beat Porter-Gaud), not only from a morale standpoint but for seeding,” Kellahan added. “We’ve played seven 3A games this year, and with the exception of one, they’ve all been within six or seven points, so a break here and there, and it’s a coin toss who’s going to win this thing.

“We’ve just got to play as hard as we can, and we might get the breaks, and we might not.”Ben Lippen head coach Reggie Shaw said his team has had a great run with the help of some talented juniors and seniors.

“Our upperclassmen have really stepped up and answered some challenges,” said Shaw. “We’ve been in every ball game we’ve played, and won some good football games and lost a couple of close ones. We’re excited about the team we have this year. They’re a bunch of great kids, fun to be around, and they have a lot of character.”

Shaw said his team’s success starts up front with veteran offensive and defensive lines.

“They’ve done a good job, led by people like Jimmy Carlen and Sammy White,” Shaw said. “Merritt Gantt is our senior center that was selected for the (Oasis) Shrine Bowl, and our tight end and linebacker, Gabe Smith, is a senior leader for us, our leading tackler with about 110 tackles.”

Falcons quarterback Joey Carter has thrown for around 2,300 yards and 16 touchdowns, according to Shaw, and was selected for the (Oasis) Shrine Bowl, as well. Carter averages 211.6 yards per game through the air and is the team’s leading rusher, as well, with a 32.6 yards-per-game average.

Carter’s favorite targets include senior receivers Will Roseborough and Ross Fleming, along with junior Taylor Wilson, the team leader with over 50 catches and 700 receiving yards.

Shaw knows his team is in for another big test against the Swampcats.

“Their record of 6-4 is very misleading,” Shaw said. “Watching them on film, they’re very solid, very physical, they have good size, good speed and they’re very well-coached, so we know it’s going to be a challenge. They’ll be well-prepared.”