ORANGEBURG — Before the 2006 Class A Division I state championship, Chesterfield coach Steve Taneyhill joked that he and Carvers Bay coach Nate Thompson had already agreed to meet again the next year.
But after three years, it’s starting to become less of a joke and more of a testament to the two football programs.
Taneyhill and Thompson sat down Monday for the Class A Division I press conference in Orangeburg, just as they have the previous two years. Carvers Bay took the first meeting 22-21 and the Rams took the second 13-6.
The rubber match will take place Friday at noon at S.C. State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium.
“It is a little weird to know your state championship opponent so well,” Thompson said. “We know what they do, they know what we do. Won’t be any tricks. Just line up and play.”
While both teams are back, they each took different paths to get to Orangeburg. Chesterfield returns 16 starters from last year’s title team while the Bears return just four, one of whom is out for the rest of the season.
Chesterfield went 12-1, losing only to Class 2A’s Central and earning a region title and No. 2 seed for the playoffs. Carvers Bay, meanwhile, lost their starting quarterback Arlington Scott during region play, dropped two straight games and wound up third in the region and as a No. 3 seed for the playoffs.
“We knew at the beginning of the year that we could be back, but we had a lot of things up in the air at that time,” Thompson said. “But the kids pulled together and we’ve been playing great as of late.”
Just like the last two state titles, Friday’s game will be a contrast in styles. Carvers Bay owns the size advantage and has made a living off the power running game. Clayton Geathers and Davious Chestnut are the two main backs, combining for 2,103 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Unlike in previous seasons, though, Carvers Bay has a staple of backs they can turn to, including Andre Aklin.
The Rams’ offense is as prolific as ever. Quarterback Akeem Johnson has thrown for 2,892 yards and 38 TDs. And with 1,436 yards and 14 scores, running back Derrick McQueen has proved a viable replacement for Chesterfield’s previous star back Simpson Miller.
Neither defense has allowed much of anything, either. The Rams are giving up 7.6 points a game while the Bears are allowing an average of 6.8.
WHAT: Class A Division I title game, Carvers Bay vs. Chesterfield
WHEN: Friday, noon
WHERE: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium at S.C. State
TICKETS: $8 in advance; $10 at the game
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