Hartsville's defense on the offensive

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 results were three turnovers and a blocked punt for a touchdown in a 34-13 win over Wilson.

The Red Foxes’ defense will need that same intensity Friday night when defending Class 3A state champion Myrtle Beach rolls into Kelleytown Stadium in the Morning News Game of the Week.

“I hope (our defense) still has a chip on their shoulder. We still haven’t proven anything,” Calabrese said. “I hope the whole team has a chip on their shoulder.”

First year Seahawks’ coach Mickey Wilson agrees with Calabrese, saying both teams’ offenses have overshadowed their defenses.

“Both schools have gotten recognition over the last couple of years because of their offenses,” said Wilson, whose team has allowed 30.7 points per game. “The defenses don’t get a lot of credit because of that, and they get overlooked.”

Wilson added his team’s tough early-season schedule will make the Seahawks better as the campaign progresses.

“This schedule hasn’t been any fun,” he said. “I do think this is a great experience for our kids. Come November, these kids will look back at this and be happy for the experience.”

Calabrese hopes the home-field advantage helps the Red Foxes in what might be their toughest game of the young season.

“I’d like to think Kelleytown Stadium is a tough place to play,” he said. “I’d much rather play this game at Kelleytown than at Doug Shaw Stadium (in Myrtle Beach).

“When you’re playing a seasoned team like Myrtle Beach, it might not matter that much anyway.”

Hartsville (4-0) will have its hands full with the Seahawks’ offense. Led by junior quarterback Everett Golson, Myrtle Beach (2-1) is averaging 39.3 points per game. Golson has thrown for 698 yards and 11 scores with no interceptions.

Last Friday, Golson helped the Seahawks bounce back from a blowout loss to Class 4A power Byrnes by throwing for 349 yards and six TDs in a 55-27 rout of defending Class 2A champ Dillon.

“Everybody that’s remotely human, with the exception of Byrnes, has had trouble with Everett Golson,” Calabrese said. “He’s a fantastic player with a lot of weapons. It’s a tall order stopping them, that’s for sure.

“Watching them beat Dillon 55-27 made me nervous. We’ll see what we can do against (Golson and the Seahawks).”

Thunderstorms are forecasted for the Pee Dee on Friday. But the Seahawks still plan to utilize the offense that won them a state title regardless.

“We’re going to throw the ball as many times as we can. That’s what we do,” Wilson said. “And with a kid like Golson as our quarterback, you’d be crazy not to.”

The Red Foxes offense can give Myrtle Beach just as many nightmares as well. Quarterback Shawn Smith has stymied oppenents with his arm and legs, throwing for 721 yards, eight TDs and no picks while rushing for 228 yards and five scores.

Brandon Beans remains Smith’s top target through the air. The senior speedster has caught 14 passes for 392 yards and five scores.

Dre Scott has amassed 466 total yards and five TDs on the season. Eric Williams and Ronnie Jackson have combined for 494 yards on the ground and three scores.

“With the bodies they’ve got, it’s tough to defend (Hartsville),” Wilson said. “Coach Calabrese has done a tremendous job with the wing-T offense down there.”

Players of the week
Offense: Lamar senior quarterback Trevor Norris completed 27-of-43 passes for 370 yards and three touchdowns in a 26-24 win over Darlington. He also rushed 11 times for 41 yards.
Defense: Hartsville senior safety Adam Peterson had 10 tackles, two interceptions and forced a fu