In each of the last three meetings with Sumter, Hartsville has needed a victory over the Gamecocks to qualify for the Class 4A Division II football playoffs.

For the last few years, the Hartsville Red Foxes have been known for their high-powered offense. On Thursday against South Florence, it was the Red Foxes’ defense that came up huge.

If last week’s 71-21 win at Conway proved one thing about the South Florence Bruins, it’s that they can compete with anybody when they’re clicking on all cylinders.

Following two back-to-back losses against Sumter and Carolina Forest, the Hartsville Lady Red Foxes varsity volleyball team fought off the West Florence Knights for a win on Tuesday night. The Foxes record improves to 10-4 overall and 5-2 in region.

West Florence, South Florence and Hartsville competed in the Region-4A swim meet Saturday.

The Hartsville High School boys’ cross country team won Wednesday’s meet at Kelleytown Stadium with 40 points, followed by Camden with 42, Darlington with 54 and the Governor’s School with 86. The Hartsville girls tied for first place with Darlington with 28 points.

Amber Ortolano started her first year coaching varsity volleyball at Hartsville High School this season. She coached the junior varsity team at Hartsville last year and coached one year at the middle school level in New York.

Since being taken as a supplemental first-round pick in the 2008 draft by the Houston Astros, Jordan Lyles has worked to acclimate himself to the everyday business of professional baseball. And after his first full year in the minors, business is good for Lyles. Very good.

The Hartsville Lady Red Foxes volleyball team got its rhythm back last week in a series of wins starting with a double header on Sept. 14 against Darlington and Lakewood. The ladies easily finished the Lady Falcons in two sets, 25-12 and 25-7. Fortunes continued to shine for the Red Foxes as they beat Lakewood 25-9 and 25-8.

Hartsville Area Happenings

The Hartsville High School girls swim team scored third out of the seven competing teams during Wednesday’s meet at the Hartsville YMCA. The boys swim team scored fourth out of seven. Visiting teams included Sumter, South Florence, West Florence, Wilson, and Trinity.

There is a rich football tradition at Hartsville High School. The Red Foxes have won three state championships and they’ve played for five others over the years. Coach Jeff Calabrese might wonder sometimes how many students at the school know about that history, though.

Under coach Jeff Calabrese, Hartsville’s football squad has been known as an offensive juggernaut. Little has been spoken about the RedFoxes’ defense, causing the unit to enter Memorial Stadium last Thursday with a serious chip on its shoulder.

The Hartsville High School swim team competed in its first meet Sept. 8 at the Sumter YMCA. At least three swimmers beat their previous best times.

Before Thursday night’s contest against Hartsville, Wilson defensive back Jeremiah Gandy said one of the two teams’ defense would make big plays. Unfortunately for Gandy, it was the Red Foxes defense that came up huge.