Electrician Contractor in Powdersville, SC

By Wes Kerr

LowcoSports.com

Bryce Lybrand and the Beaufort Eagles never forgot the feeling of coming up short. From the moment his former mentor snatched the crown away in 2021, Lybrand’s mind was set on taking that last step. Twelve months, 13 wins, and one masterpiece of a season later, the feeling at the final whistle was pure joy.

Kacy Fields and Colton Phares combined for 417 yards on the ground, and the Eagles overcame an early 14-0 hole to soar past the Powdersville Patriots, 41-31, on Thursday at Benedict College in Columbia and capture the 2022 SCHSL Class 3A football state championship to secure Beaufort County’s first public school state football title since 1945.

“It’s just so cool,” Lybrand said. “They just decided to keep fighting. Everybody did their job, and now we get to say ‘we’re state champions.’”

The opening script was all too familiar for the Eagles faithful. Powdersville was ready from the first snap to establish its own dominant ground game.

Sparked by electric senior and Virginia Tech commit Thomas Williams, the Patriots marched down the field on their opening drive. Williams used his wheels to break free down the right side for 30 yards, and quarterback Eli Hudgins scampered across the goal line from 6 yards out for the game’s opening score.

And just like a week ago at Dillon, the Eagles made a costly mistake on their first offensive series. After some miscommunication on the handoff between Fields and sophomore quarterback Samari Bonds, Joshaun Knuckles forced the ball loose to set up Powdersville near midfield and cause the all-important first turnover of the night.

And the Patriots cashed in.

Williams found a hole up the middle and burst through the Beaufort secondary for a 25-yard score and a 14-0 advantage. The hole was getting deeper, but the Eagles wouldn’t be rattled.

Lybrand went right back to a heavy dose of the two runners that brought their team back to Columbia. Beaufort’s drive looked bleak again when Peyton Little and Trez Fowler closed the hole on Fields to force a fourth-and-3 at midfield, but Lybrand pulled out some magic from his pocket to extend the drive — and the Eagles’ chances of leaving Columbia satisfied. Phares took the snap in punt formation, and the senior star burrowed forward to move the sticks.

The trick play stole the momentum right back for Beaufort, as a hard-working Eagles line opened up lanes for its two backs. Phares paid off Lybrand’s gamble on the 18th play of the drive, following his blockers to the outside and extending the ball across the pylon to put the Eagles on the scoreboard at 14-7.

Beaufort’s defense came back out with renewed energy, and Hart Cushman stuffed a pair of Patriot runs before Beaufort’s terrific pass rush and secondary forced a pair of incompletions to get the ball right back.

Phares picked up right where he left off the last series, bursting through the Patriot line for a 16-yard gain before he conjured up another moment of magic. The powerful senior back broke an open-field tackle and turned on the jets to outrun a diving Knuckles to the end zone. Just like that, the 14-point deficit was gone.

Powdersville was in desperate need of an answer, and the talented Williams came up with one himself. The Hokie commit displayed his superb athletic prowess on the field, taking a toss to the left side and weaving through a horde of Eagle defenders on his way to a highlight-reel 69-yard touchdown run.

But just as Beaufort High took another tough punch, Fields dealt an uppercut right back at the Upper State champs. The Patriots pressed their luck with another deep kickoff, and Kacy made them pay.

Fields reeled in the ball at his own 7 yard line and bolted down the right side through a swarm of Patriots and to the house to send the Kirkland Krazies wild – and tie up the game at 21. The Eagles left some time for Powdersville at the end of the half, and the Patriots rode the hot hand of Williams to just outside the Beaufort 20, but Phares was there to knock the football away from Drake Sloan to hold Powdersville to a Nate Spearman field goal and a 24-21 halftime margin.

The Eagles went to the locker room down by three, but their belief in the season’s final 24 minutes couldn’t have been higher.

“I told them at halftime, we got ‘em right where we want ‘em,” Lybrand said. “We’ve been down in every other game, so why not this one?”

With a chaotic second half looming, the Eagles knew that their opening drive would be crucial. And they executed it perfectly to nab their first lead of the game. After several strong runs from both Fields and Phares alongside hard-nosed blocking from Beaufort’s veteran line, Fields found pay dirt on the 11th play with a 12-yard run to the end zone. Phares set it up with a textbook block, and Fields used his elite speed to cruise in on the left side for his first rushing score of the game.

Beaufort’s defense came back out firing with a huge sack from Aaron Lamb and Quion Rivers, but the Patriots quickly found another moment of brilliance. And this time, they did it through the air.

Carter Bowersox arrived in the backfield quickly to put pressure on Hudgins, but the junior quarterback showed off his tremendous arm and slung a missile to Elijah Huggins who made a brilliant catch in traffic inside the Beaufort 10. Williams paid off the big play with a one-yard surge into the end zone, and the Patriots were back in front at 31-27.

Three plays later, it was Kacy’s turn again.

On a clutch third-and-4 at his own 25, Fields followed his blockers up the middle and quickly switched into high gear, shrugging off a pair of tacklers before cruising to the goal line without a Patriot in sight. It was the most dominant run yet in the biggest game of his career.

With the lead back in hand, the Eagles knew that one stop on defense could be the difference. As the fourth quarter dawned upon Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, the Eagles dug even deeper and shut the Patriots down. Williams took the carry on a pivotal fourth-and-two, and a swarm of hungry Eagles burst through the line to end the drive – and put the Lower State champs in command.

Beaufort promptly began to chew away clock on the ground, and the Patriots had no answer for either Fields or Phares. After 11 methodical runs and five minutes off the clock, Fields delivered the final blow. Stationed under center, Fields took the direct snap from the 1 as his teammates pushed him across. The lead swelled to 41-31, and the Eagles began to feel it.

With less than six minutes left to play, Powdersville needed a show-stopper from its stars to stay in it. But it was the Beaufort defense that delivered the encore and closed the curtain on a season of legend. Dom Camacho dislodged the ball from Hudgins as he dropped back, but the junior quarterback recovered and incredibly found Williams as he looked to sprint upfield. Suddenly, Bowersox came charging in, stripped the ball, and secured it himself.

It was a play that epitomized the heart of Beaufort’s defense – and the entire team. The Eagles got the football back, and this time they kept it for good.

With an offside call on fourth down and two more clutch conversions from Fields, Beaufort’s long-awaited celebration began. Fields was promptly given the game ball and skipped across the field with a beaming smile stretched from ear to ear.

The grind had paid off. The Eagles had done it.

“At the beginning of the season, our goal was to come out and win the state championship, not just come back here,” Fields said. “We put in the hard work in the weight room, on the football field, we watched film, everything. We put everything into place and now we’re state champions.”

Fields concluded a sensational senior year with a spectacular finale, rushing 37 times for 219 yards and three touchdowns alongside a 93-yard kick return. Phares was a warrior on the field, adding 198 rushing yards and two scores, while making seven tackles on defense with a key pass breakup.

Will Codding led the Eagle defense with nine tackles, and both Robert Johnson and Rivers put up six stops. Williams paced Powdersville with 236 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries.

The Eagles came away with the victory without attempting a single pass play in the game.

During the season, Bryce Lybrand gave each of his players a wristband with a simple but powerful message: “Great to Greatest.” On Thursday night, those young men accomplished that mission and cemented a legacy on Lady’s Island – and in the Lowcountry – that will never be forgotten.

“We challenged them to go from being a great Beaufort High football team to the greatest Beaufort High football team,” Lybrand said. “Every week they answered the bell, and I’m just so proud of them.”

Wes Kerr is a graduate of Hilton Head Island High School and Davidson College. He reports on local sports for LowcoSports.com

Powdersville High running back Thomas Williams is No. 3 on the 864Huddle Dandy Dozen, a ranking of the Upstate's top Class of 2023 football recruits.

Thomas Williams doesn’t go a game without being noticed. Whether it’s on offense or defense, Williams shines brightly wherever he plays.

The Powdersville star and Virginia Tech commit plays running back and defensive back. He’s one of the best athletes in the state and the No. 9 recruit in South Carolina according to 247sports.

Williams had an outstanding season last year and now, as a senior, he’s looking for more.

“Different year, same person, you know,” Williams said. “I’m trying to take that No. 1 spot (for most rushing yards) now.”

MEET THE DANDY DOZEN: The Upstate's top college football prospects for the Class of 2023

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Gifted with ability

“(Thomas) is a fun one to have around,” Powdersville coach Robert Mustar said. “Watching him play since he was in middle school, I mean, it was clear he was going to be a standout type kid given the opportunity.”

Williams has lived up to that billing.

He’s a consummate athlete, so much so that Virginia Tech had two different coaches evaluate where he would fit best on their team.

“Virginia Tech was looking at him as a defensive back,” said Mustar. “Well in the spring, they brought a DB coach up here and talked to me. Very next day, they had their quarterbacks coach vouching for (him to play) the offensive side of the ball. … He is a kid that will unselfishly play both ways. And for us, we’re going to need him to do that.”

Williams was an All-State selection at running back last season. He’s also one of the top defensive backs. According to On3, Williams is ranked No. 61 in the nation at safety.

“He’s just that blessed as an athlete,” Mustar said. “I think athletically, I really don’t think he understands what all he still brings to the table. But that’s part of being humble, right? But I can tell you he’s a special kid.”

A soft-spoken leader

Williams makes a ton of noise with his electric play on the field. But when he speaks, his voice is gentle and cautious.

“I’m quiet. I don’t talk a lot,” said Williams. “You have to get used to me to get me out of my little circle.”

Even with his tranquil nature, Williams is a leader on the team and commands that responsibility.

“He’s more of a lead-by-example guy because he is soft-spoken.” Mustar said. “But the pretty cool thing is whenever somebody needs their attention gotten, he'll get it, he'll speak up. And it's refreshing that he's not talking all the time, you know, because when he says something, as a coach you kind of perk up, like, oh man, we’re ready to go now. And others respond that too.”

Last season, Powdersville fell short in the state quarterfinals after going undefeated until that point. This time around, Williams plans to take the team all the way.

“That’s what I plan on doing this year is leading my team to state,” Williams said. “The times where I see people lack on the field and off the field, or not in the right place at the right time, I’m willing to (say), ‘Hey bro, c’mon bro, wake up.’ I’m really a leader out here.”

Family matters

Williams says his quiet, modest nature comes from things he’s endured with his mother while growing up.

He’s focused on setting her up with everything she’s dreamed of. And to achieve that, Williams just puts his head down and works hard for it.

“That’s all I grind for is to retire my mom,” Williams said. “After I retire my mom, I wouldn’t say the job is finished, but it’s finished with her and not for me. I’ll still have more to get. But other than that, I’ll be happy for her to be retired and not have to work anymore.”

Family is important for Williams, and that can’t be overstated. They’re all in it together.

It was a “dream come true” for Williams to host his college commitment ceremony and share the moment with his family. They’ve helped him get to where he is now, and he doesn’t forget that.

Williams still has a long journey ahead of him to achieve his dreams, but his motives and hunger will remain the same because he’s on a mission.

“We stayed with my grandma a couple of times because we couldn’t find a house,” Williams remembered about times with his mother. “Now she’s got her own place. It’s not a big house, but it’s something to get through. So, from here on out my plan is to get her something big, like how she dreamed of. I know she wants to stay in Cali, so that’s where I plan to move her out to, Cali.”

Joshua Miller covers high school sports for The Anderson Independent-Mail. Have questions, story ideas, scores and stats involving high school athletics? Send them to his email at jdmiller@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter: @NameIsJoshua

The first round of the South Carolina High School League kicked off Friday night. Some teams advanced and some weren't as fortunate.

See which Anderson and Pickens area teams advanced to the next round and which teams played its last game of the year.

BHP ADVANCES:Underclassmen step up as BHP breezes by Walhalla to advance to the second round

ON THE RADAR:These 12 athletes are candidates for Upstate Football Player of the Year

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICITONS:We picked every SC high school football championship. Here are our predictions.

BHP eases by Walhalla

Once Belton-Honea Path took control of its game against Walhalla, the Bears never lost it. BHP went on to win, 36-18, and advanced to the second round of the AAA playoffs.

Next round BHP (10-1) will be on the road against Clinton (11-0).

Daniel finishes strong vs. Southside

Daniel and Southside were scoreless through the first quarter until Daniel turned up the heat and went up 21-6 by halftime. Daniel went on to win 49-14 to advance in the AAA bracket.

Next week Daniel (11-0) will host Woodruff (6-5).

Westside outscores Midland Valley

Westside and Midland Valley had a high scoring battle that ended with Westside winning 45-35. Westside scored five rushing touchdowns to help advance to the second round of the AAAA playoffs.

Westside (9-2) will host Indian Land (7-4) next Friday.

T.L. Hanna survives a scare

T.L. Hanna won 36-35 over White Knoll in the first round of the AAAAA playoffs to advance. T.L. Hanna outscored White Knoll 13-0 in the fourth quarter to squeeze by for the win.

Next round, T.L. Hanna (10-1) will host Spartanburg (7-4).

Powdersville makes early statement

Powdersville ended Crescent's season by winning 50-14. By the end of the first quarter, Powdersville led 36-6 and made a statement to advance to the next round of the AAA playoffs.

Powdersville (10-1) will play Chester (7-4) at home next week.

Wren falls short to Seneca

Wren was tied 14-14 with Seneca by halftime. Then Wren couldn't find an answer for Seneca's 24-point third quarter and ended up losing 45-20 in the first round of the AAA playoffs.

Wren ends its season 3-8 overall.

Easley gets knocked out by North Augusta

Easley couldn't find much on offense to match North Augusta and lost 26-14 in the AAAA playoffs. Easley linebacker Talan Scott ended the night with a whopping 22 total tackles.

Easley finishes the year with a 6-5 overall record.

Saluda buries Liberty with early lead

Saluda held a 43-0 lead over Liberty by halftime of the AA playoff matchup. Liberty got on the board in the third quarter and went on to lose 43-7.

Liberty's season ends with a 4-7 overall record.

Joshua Miller covers high school sports for The Anderson Independent-Mail. Have questions, story ideas, scores, and stats involving high school athletics? Send them to his email at jdmiller@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter: @NameIsJoshua

INMAN — Chapman came into Wednesday's Class AAA Upper State baseball championship needing to win one game of the double-elimination tournament. After falling to visiting Powdersville in the first matchup, the Panthers bounced back to clinch their spot in the state championship with a 9-2 win.

"I didn't see any quit in their eyes when they were down 2-0, and then Johann (Rodriguez), who's been huge for us all playoffs long coming through in big situations, did again right there to make it even," said Chapman coach Steven Fusaro. "When Johann and then Hudson (Moss) came through for us, it just ignited a confidence in everybody else on this team."

It didn't always look like the night would have a happy ending for Chapman, which entered 5-0 in the postseason. After a back-and-forth first game that the Patriots won, it looked as if the tournament could go either way. That is until Ricky Montalvo got on the mound for Chapman to start Game 2.

Montalvo, the Panthers' ace who's committed to play at Newberry, was able to hold the Patriots to two earned runs in his complete-game outing. Though Fusaro had hoped to hold Montalvo for the state championship series opener against Oceanside Collegiate on Saturday, falling in the first game forced his hand.

More on Chapman's playoff run:Chapman baseball gets revenge in dominant playoff performance, led by ace Ricky Montalvo

Playoff Baseball Schedule:South Carolina high school baseball state tournament schedule, scores

"When you get to this point, you're playing to win a state championship. We knew that we had a great player waiting in the wings if we didn't get that first game," Fusaro said. "And when we didn't, Rick went out there and did what he does. Big Pitch Rick came in and just gave us an absolute gem."

"My goal was to go out there and dominate," Montalvo said. "I knew my defense would make plays, and ... I trust them so much, when I go up there, my mentality is to throw strikes and let my defense work behind me."

Though Montalvo's arm put the Panthers in a good position, the bats of junior catcher Johann Rodriquez and sophomore outfielder Hudson Moss put the game over the top for Chapman.

"When we went down 2-0, I remember the first thought in my head was, 'I'm not going to let this be the last ball game I play with this group of seniors,' who I'm really close with," Rodriquez said. "I'm excited that I was able to come up big for them, excited I was able to come up big in that situation and give us a chance to eventually win the game."

That's exactly what Rodriquez did, when he tied the score at 2 before the ball really started rolling Chapman's way. They took the lead and never looked back after Moss hit a two-RBI double off the top of the fence — barely missing out on a homer — to put the Panthers ahead 4-2.

"I'm just speechless, man," Moss said. "I don't even remember what the at-bat was like. I was so excited to see the ball hit off the fence. I don't remember anything. I'm just so happy for this team."

Chapman will take on Oceanside Collegiate on Saturday at Shipyard Park outside of Charleston in Game 1 of the best-of-three series.

September 2022 Edition

Hello again everybody! Like many of you, several around here have spent the summertime or Labor Day weekend traveling the highways and byways of the land. So we thought we’d have a look at traffic counts!

Our colleagues at SCDOT maintain traffic counting stations at more than 400 locations throughout the county. They perform the counts using specialized equipment and have a methodology they use to determine Annual Average Daily Traffic, or AADT, at these locations.

We’ll share some general observations here, but if you want more info go to https://scdottrafficdata.drakewell.com/publicmultinodemap.asp, where SCDOT maintains an interactive mapping applications that will allow you to search traffic statistics in your community!

INTERSTATE LOVE SONGNOTE: All traffic count data below reference calendar year 2021

The highest volume traffic counts are, as you might have guessed, on Interstate 85, where SCDOT maintains twelve counting stations within Anderson County’s borders. The distinction of highest traffic count in all of Anderson County goes to traffic station (STA) #2287, located in Powdersville between SC 153 and the Saluda River. This station had average daily traffic (ADT) of 109,600 vehicles. The volume of traffic observed here is 20% higher than that observed at the second-busiest station in Anderson county, which is located in…you guessed it! Powdersville! STA 2285 counts traffic on I-85 between 153 and River Road, and its ADT in 2021 was 90,800.

Traffic volumes decrease steadily as one moves southwest on I-85 through Anderson County, reaching around 71,000 approaching Exit 27, down to 53,000 nearing Exit 19, and dropping to 44,500 as one crosses into Oconee County.

EXIT RAMP

Let’s see how local traffic volumes compare in general to that on the interstate. The non-Interstate counting station recording the highest traffic volume is STA #221, and its ADT is 38,700. Where would you guess STA 221 to be located?

A) Saylor’s Crossroads B) Craytonville

C) Varennes D) Powdersville

Yep—it’s Powdersville. STA #221 counts traffic on Hwy 153 between the Interstate and SC 81. And the second-highest volume station is also on 153. That would be STA #222, which weighs in with an ADT of 33,300 between SC 81 and the Pickens County line.

HANDS ACROSS THE WATER, HANDS ACROSS THE SKY

It is worth noting here that funding for highway and related transportation projects in Powdersville is managed by an entity known as the Greenville-Pickens-Anderson Transportation Study (GPATS). Administration of GPATS is hosted by Greenville County, and the GPATS board and support committees are comprised of elected officials representing counties and municipalities within the GPATS borders. As the Greenville area has the majority of population in the GPATS boundary area, it so has a controlling number of voting representatives on the GPATS board. Funding for projects in Powdersville has to compete with projects all throughout Greenville and Pickens counties.

LIVING FOR THE CITY

Let’s look at traffic volumes in our municipal areas. The highest volume station in the City of Anderson (STA #131) is located on Clemson Boulevard and counts traffic along the section from US 178 (Wal-Mart) down to near Anderson Mall. The 2021 ADT count there was 31,300. Other areas of interest in the Anderson City Limits are:

?…FROM THE WEST DOWN TO THE EAST…?

The latest major local thoroughfare to come into service is the East-West Connector. How does traffic look there as of 2021? Moving from west to east:

I WAS BORN IN A SMALL TOWN…

City of Belton: Quiz time! Is traffic in the Belton City Limits heavier on South Main Street or Anderson Street (US 76)?

As it would be, traffic is heavier, by the width of a Wheaties flake, on South Main Street. Located just south of town square, STA #145 has an ADT of 10,000 while STA #143 (near Wendell’s) has a count of 9,800.

Town of Honea Path: Highest traffic volume is observed at STA #153, which counts 8,600 trips per day on the section of E. Greer Street between Church Street and Highway 252. The count is 7,600 ADT on Church Street near McCoy Lumber.

Town of Iva: We see 6,000 ADT recorded at STA #201, located on Highway 81 between West Broad Street and Good Hope Church Road.

Town of Pelzer: According to SCDOT, there’s an ADT of 4,000 at STA#174, located on Highway 20 between Highway 8 and the bridge into Greenville County.

Town of Pendleton: Pendleton’s highest traffic volumes are observed on US 76 at Tri-County Technical College, where STA #124 has an ADT of 17,300. Highest volume in the more “traditional” town area is seen on South Mechanic Street between US 76 and West Queen Street (8,300; STA #187).

Town of Starr: “America’s Mayor” Ed Sokol boasts an ADT of 8,000 at STA #203, located on Highway 81 in the heart of his jurisdiction.

Town of West Pelzer: Average traffic volume on Main Street is 8,100 trips per day (STA #160).

Town of Williamston: Spring Water Park is so beautiful that 11,700 vehicles pass by it each day!

AND FINALLY…

And what, you might ask, is the least-travelled road in Anderson County? We cannot say for sure—SCDOT does not monitor every road, and we have not had the opportunity to ask what criteria the agency uses for such determinations.

That said—SCDOT’s data tells us that the lowest traffic volume of any station in Anderson County was recorded at STA #491, located on Manning Road in southernmost Anderson County. Manning Road has an ADT of 75 between Barnes Station Road and the Elberton Highway.

ENCORE! ENCORE!

Before we go, how about some miscellaneous traffic data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey^[1]?

Out of an estimated 88,997 workers aged 16 years and over:

Until next time …So Long Everybody!

?…GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66…?

^[1] U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=means%20of%20transportation&g=0500000US45007&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S0802