Bethesda’s battle with perennial SCISA power Hilton Head Christian on Friday night was billed as one of the better opening matchups of the season. It was also the Blazers’ official inaugural game at their new field.
Throw in the factor that Bethesda had their originally slated home and season-opener against Thomas Heyward washed out last week to build some further intrigue into the mix.
Bethesda’s Jordan Cheever (6) delivers a stiff arm vs. Hilton Head Christian. (Courtesy RDPProductions)
On the other hand, Hilton Head Christian (1-1) already had two games under their belt with a 1-1 record, putting up 43 points in their win. Starting quarterback Reid McCollum, a Navy recruit, already threw for nearly 400 yards with four touchdowns.
So, the stage was set for a showdown.
However, it turned out to be a Bethesda blowout.
Bethesda took control in the second quarter, and they never looked back in a 53-28 rout that was never that close, as the Blazers dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Bethesda (1-0) opened up a relatively close game when quarterback Jordan Turner flipped a backfield pass to running back Jordan Cheever, and the senior rambled 65 yards for a score that gave the Blazers a 20-6 lead with 11:33 left before halftime.
After Hilton Head Christian went three and out, Bethesda put together its most impressive drive of the night, going 73 yards over 10 plays methodically down the field, resulting in Turner hitting Malachi Morris on a six-yard slant for a 27-6 cushion with 4:35 left in the quarter.
Bethesda would add another score in the final minutes to build a commanding 34-14 halftime advantage.
It was a big night for Cheever, who was the Blazers’ workhorse all night, grinding out 191 yards on 22 carries with his solid downhill running. Yet, he also had an effective stop-and-go style that allowed him to find his holes.
Cheever credited his success to speed training during the summer. He also scored on a three-year run to open the Blazers’ scoring.
“I did it for three months,” said Cheever about the speed training. “I felt I got better with it, and it had really helped me.”
Cheever didn’t have any doubts about the outcome after he and his teammates had a focused week leading in the game.
“We had a great week of practice,” beamed Cheever. “We have a lot of confidence this season, and we were ready to get back on the field.”
Blazers’ head coach Antwain Turner knows Cheever can have a special year, and he will only play in the backfield this season.
“He’s a bruiser,” said Turner about Cheever. “He’s working with his vision in the backfield. He can shift gears really well, and he still has the ability to run through guys and take it to the house.”
Turner wanted Hilton Head Christian to have to deal with his team’s potent passing and running attacks.
“We wanted to spread the field and attack,” stressed Turner. “We wanted to make them give us a five-man box, so we could assert our dominance up front.
“Our offensive line has done an outstanding job, and they have the ability to recreate the line of scrimmage.”
Like Cheever, Turner also believed his team would find its niche at the beginning of the game.
“These guys are very poised, and we were hungry last week,” added Turner. “We didn’t get an opportunity to play last week. But these guys are very focused.
“We watched a lot of film on them last week, and we wanted to balance the playing field. It gave us a very good indication of what they were going to do tonight.
“A lot of times, they would bring their outside linebackers and try to get a seven-man box. We wanted to spread them put with our wide receivers, and make them play the run or the pass.”
Turner has also watched his son mature in the role over the summer.
“Jordan did a really good job at managing the game. He is a dual threat as a passer and runner.
“He worked hard during the summer, and did well with the seven-on seven camps. He has grown in his decision making. We believe he can take us to the next level.”
The younger Turner, a sophomore who took over last season after an injury to the Blazers’ starter, was anxious to finally get the season started. He threw for 228 yards with four touchdowns and ran for 90 yards.
“We have been really ready to play for the past three weeks, and have been busting on each other,” gushed Turner. “Our offensive line dominated all night, and that made things easier.
“I feel more comfortable out there from last year. We have a 13-0 mindset overall, but we know we have to take things, but we also know we have to take one game at a time.”
The Blazers’ defense did harass and sack McCollum three times, but the Hilton Head senior managed to elude their rush most of the evening and throw for 336 yards.
“He’s an animal,” said the elder Turner. “We had nothing but respect for their quarterback and that’s who we were talking about all week. He is a great talent who can throw the ball down field 50 to 55 yards.”
Blazers’ senior wide receiver Ralo Wesley, who caught two touchdowns and ran for two, also was anticipating the moment. Wesley caught a perfectly laid 82-yard touchdown pass from Turner in the opening quarter.
He and his teammates also remember their 52-14 playoff loss to Pee Dee Academy that ended their season last year.
“We were all hungry,” boasted Wesley. “We knew what we were up against, and we were ready. I know my quarterback trusts me, and we’ll have some more big moments.
“Last year, our season ended in a sad loss. But, we all believe in each other, and we know we have to put in plenty of more work to be successful at the end of the season.”
|
BETHESDA ACADEMY 53, HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 28 |
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| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total | |
| HHCA | 0 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 28 | |
| BA | 12 | 24 | 13 | 6 | 53 | |
|
First Quarter |
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|
B – Jordan Cheever 3 run (kick failed) |
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B - Ralo Wesley 82 pass from Jordan Turner (pass failed) |
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Second Quarter |
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HHCA – Reid McCollum 1 run (kick failed) |
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B – Cheever 68 pass from Turner (Armstrong run) |
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B – Malachi Moore 6 pass from Turner (kick good) |
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B - Wesley 14 run (Hociel Garcia Kick) |
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HHCA – Thomas Gehm 77 kickoff return (Joseph Houpt pass from McCollum) |
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Third Quarter |
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B – Wesley 11 run (kick failed) |
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B- Wesley 16 pass from Turner (Garcia Kick) |
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HHCA – Sam Strum 20 pass from McCollum (Hudson Baker run) |
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Fourth Quarter |
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B – Armstrong 8 run (kick blocked) |
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HHCA – McCollum 9 run (pass failed) |
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Records-Hilton Head Chrsitian Academy 1-2; Bethesda Academy 1-0. |
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Photo: Courtesy rdpproductions
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