Bruins, Red Foxes bring plenty of offense

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.

That’s exactly what the Bruins will need this week if their turnaround season is to reach its highest point.

South hosts Hartsville today at 7:30 p.m. in a key Region 6-4A matchup at Memorial Stadium.

At 8-1 overall and 3-0 in the region, the Red Foxes are looking to keep momentum heading into next week’s region title matchup against Sumter. At 5-4 and 1-2, South is trying to keep pace with Conway and Carolina Forest for the final playoff spot.

If all three teams are tied at the end of the season, the winner will be decided by the Class 4A points system.

“You want to be in control and not leave it up to things like that,” Bruins coach Lynn Fleming said. “We know what we have to do. Now it’s just a matter of going out there and doing it.”

South’s throttling of Conway marked a 180-degree turn in emotion following a 21-20 loss to Carolina Forest last Monday.

“I told someone that the human body shouldn’t have to go through what we did last week,” Fleming said. “But that’s part of the growing process. When we play like we’re capable of, we feel we can compete with anybody in the state.”

The Bruins have certainly done enough this season to impress Hartsville coach Jeff Calabrese, who called South’s offense “scary good.”

“It’s a lot of sleepless nights preparing for them, I can tell you that much,” Calabrese said.

The Bruins and Red Foxes are similar offensively, but have slightly different philosophies tailored to individual talents.

South quarterback Kaleb Griffin has thrown for 1,770 yards and 22 touchdowns thanks to a talented corps of receivers. That prolific passing attack has opened up the running game with Terrion Brown rushing for 954 yards and nine TDs.

The Red Foxes have used the opposite approach. Dre Scott, Ronnie Jackson and Eric Williams have combined to rush for 2,332 yards and 25 scores, opening the door for a quick-strike passing attack from QB Shawn Smith. Smith has thrown for 964 yards and 11 TDs.

“We kind of use the run to set up the pass, they kind of use the pass to set up the run,” Calabrese said. “It’s about establishing a balance and keeping the other guys honest.”

With so much offensive firepower on the field at a given time, playing fundamental defense and avoiding turnovers are keys for both squads.

“I think execution is their best weapon,” Fleming said. “They execute so well. Their linemen stay on their blocks and everyone does their jobs until the whistle blows.

“You have to tackle nearly everybody. Our linemen are going to have to play their responsibilities and not look at the football.”

Keeping the other squad’s offense to as few snaps as possible might go a long way as well.

“Easier said than done,” Calabrese said. “You hope that you can sustain drives and put points on the board, but you’re facing a very fast, athletic defense.

“It’s going to come down to whoever can execute the best for a longer period of time.”