Friday’s Class A Division I state title game will be a showcase for not only the top two teams in the state, but two of the top running backs.
Carvers Bay’s Johnathan Holmes and Chesterfield’s Simpson Miller have each had stellar seasons, and each has taken a different road to success.
Miller has been the Rams’ go-to running back in each of their two upper state championship seasons. While the Rams throw the ball a lot for a Class A team, the star tailback has provided them with a balanced attack.
Miller gained more than 1,000 yards last season for the pass-happy Rams and also had 112 yards rushing against Carvers Bay in last year’s state title game.
He’s rushed for 1,567 yards and 28 touchdowns on 241 carries this season.
“Carrying a little more of the load this year is fine with me,” Miller said. “I’ll do anything for this team. We just all concentrate on whatever we have to do to win.”
Holmes has spent his season stepping out of the shadow of Malcolm Elder, the Bears’ 2,000-yard rusher from a year ago.
After being handed the starting job, Holmes has responded by racking up 2,008 yards on 241 carries with 30 touchdowns this season.
Holmes rushed seven times for 17 yards and a score in last year’s title game.
“It’s all on my shoulders this year,” Holmes said. “I took a back seat to Malcolm last year, but now I get the chance to show what I can do.
“I feel like I’ve learned from last week’s game against Lamar to just be patient and keeping running and things will open up.”
Dominant on both sides
Carvers Bay and Chesterfield have each relied on strong offensive and solid defensive performances this season.
The Rams have scored 365 points in 13 games (28.1 ppg) while the defense has allowed only 117 points (9.0 ppg).
Carvers Bay has put up 491 points (37.8 ppg) and has held teams to just 85 points (6.5 ppg), including six shutouts.
Same teams, same jokes
The Bears and Rams meet for the second straight year and, for the second straight year, Chesterfield coach Steve Taneyhill had a particular joke for Carvers Bay coach Nate Thompson.
After talking about the Rams’ passing attack, Taneyhill joked his team was going to do nothing but run the ball.
“We’re going to line up in the wishbone, coach,” he said. “You won’t see a pass from us.”
“Don’t believe a word of it,” Thompson said, laughing.
Golden turnaround
The Rams have benefited greatly since Taneyhill took over the program in 2005.
Not only is Chesterfield making its second appearance in the state title game, but the Rams have also gotten things turned around in the win column.
In the three years prior to Taneyhill’s arrival, the Rams were 4-26.
In the three years under Taneyhill, Chesterfield is
24-13, having won at least 10 games in each of the last two seasons.
Chesterfield also knocked off county rivals Cheraw and Central this season.
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