Lake City, Myrtle Beach meet at Battle at the Beach

Last year’s matchup between Lake City and Myrtle Beach at Ward Memorial Stadium had a little bit of everything.

There were trick plays, several controversial calls, a key fumble that led to an 88-yard touchdown pass — and a slight gust of wind which might have pushed a game-winning field goal attempt wide left.

Myrtle Beach hasn’t forgotten that loss, and the Seahawks look for revenge Friday night when they open Region 7-3A competition at home against the Panthers in the Morning News Game of the Week.

“I think our kids do remember that loss,” said Seahawks coach Mickey Wilson, who was on the sidelines as an assistant during last year’s 14-13 loss to Lake City.

“Last year’s loss was a blessing for us because it got us more focused on the way to winning the (Class 3A) state title, but they’ve had a chance to reflect on it.”

With its postseason hopes dashed after the infamous fight with Wilson in its season opener last season, the Panthers (5-0) treated every game like a playoff game and pulled out a home win against Myrtle Beach en route to an undefeated region record.

While the win was special, coach Justin Gentry and his team has taken a more low-key approach to Friday night’s rematch.

“We try to play down every game. We’re gonna treat every game the same,” he said. “We’re gonna take a job mentality toward this game, and hopefully we’ll take it.”

The region championship could be decided at Doug Shaw Stadium on Friday, with the winner going undefeated and the loser finishing as a No. 2 seed. Don’t say that to the two coaches, however.

“I don’t think you can look at it that way,” said Wilson, whose team enters the game 4-1 overall. “This is a huge game for both teams, but you have to look at it week to week.”

“Last year, we went down (to Murrells Inlet) and got embarrassed by St. James. We were lucky to win that game,” Gentry said. “I won’t say this is for the region title, but I will say its the biggest game in our region this week.”

Myrtle Beach will try to shut down Lake City’s powerful wing-T attack. Halfback Shon Carson has paced the rushing attack, rushing for 178 yards and four scores in a 41-0 beating of Crestwood last week.

Carson scored the game-winning two-point conversion in last year’s meeting with the Seahawks.

“Our ground game is our strength,” Gentry said. “Our whole offensive line is back from last year.”

Gentry added the graduation of Desmond Haygood has left the Panthers looking for another deep threat at wide receiver. Haygood pulled down the eventual game-winning TD from DaShawn Butler with 1:10 remaining against Myrtle Beach.

“We haven’t found a deep receiving threat since Desmond graduated,” he said. “Our receivers are still good but we need one to step up consistently.”

The Panthers will have to contend with quarterback Everett Golson and a talented group of receivers that seem to find themselves open on nearly every play.

With all of the offense on the field, one might think a shootout will be in order Friday night. Both coaches disagree, but they look forward to kickoff.

“I think it’s going to be a great game. To have a game like this so early in the year is a treat for the fans,” Wilson said.

“It’ll be worth the price of admission.”

Said Gentry. “I don’t know about a shootout, but I hope the wind’s blowing our way like last year.”

Players of the week

Hartsville’s Dre Scott tied a school record by rushing 20 times for 265 yards and two touchdowns against Spring Valley to earn Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Marlboro County’s Dashon Hicks had six tackles, a sack and two interceptions to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors.