Twice as nice! Hammond wins second straight SCISA 3A Title!
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL - SCISA CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Story and Photos By Mike Maddock

The Hammond Skyhawks capitalized on two Augusta Christian Lion fumbles scoring 10 points in the game's final 3:18 to win their second straight SCISA 3A championship 17- 14 November 16, at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on S.C. State University's campus.

Augusta Christian	14
Hammond	17

Photo by Elizabeth Bailey Johnson Hammond Skyhawks, 2007 SCISA 3A Champions: #1 Austin Hood,DB/LB, Sr.; #2 Stone Pinckney, LB/RB, Sr.; #3 Josh Walters,DB, Sr.; #4 Cliff Ayers,QB, Jr.; 5 Gavin Fawcett,WR, So.; 6 Aaron Walters,WR, So.; 7 Robert Simmons,WR/DB, Jr. ; 8 Kyle George, RB/DB, Jr.; 9 Taylor Smith, WR/QB/DB, Jr.; 11 Chase Loveless,DE/TE, Jr.; 12 Walker Inabinet,LB,Sr.; 13 Joseph Zemp,K, Jr.; 14 Gus Inabinet,QB/DB, So.; 15 Jordan Kay,DB, So.; 17 Bryce James,DB, So.; 20 Brooks Owens, WR/DB, Jr.; 21 James Hyatt,DB, So.; 22 Brad Meredith, RB, Jr.; 23 Steven Harvin,DB, Sr.; 24 Jack Felmly,WR/DB, So.; 30 Kyle Towles,DB/WR, So.; 31 John Key Powell, LB, So., 33 Hunter McMaster, LB, Jr.; 40 Bradford MacGillivray, LB, So.; 42 Taylor Brown, LB, Jr.; 44/72 Will Patterson, DE/OL, Jr.; 45 Charles Bowers, LB, Jr.; 50 Justin Daniels, OL, Jr.; 51 Blake Wells, OL/DL, Sr.; 52 Dylan Metts,OL/DL, Jr.; 54 Kris Simmons,OL,Fr.; 56 Ruskin Foster,OL/DL, Jr.; 62 William DaSilva OL/DL, Jr.; 66 Adam Gamble, DL, Sr.; 67 James Wade, OL, Sr.; 70 Thomas Dunlap, OL, Jr.; 71 Ward Mungo,OL/DL, Sr.; 77 Hampton Smith,OL, Jr.; 81 A.D.Briggs,WR/TE, Jr.; 84 Vincent Hudson, WR/DB, Jr.; 88 Alston James,WR,Sr.

In a league known for offense, this game matched two of the best defenses and it showed for much of the game. The Lions had two fumbles and two punts on their first four possessions of the game, while the Skyhawks answered with two punts, an interception, and a missed field goal.

The Lions finally broke through with 44.3 seconds remaining in the half on a five- play drive that started at the Hammond 41 yard line. Running back Jay Harmon scored on a two- yard touchdown run giving Augusta Christian a 7- 0 lead.

Hammond's Kyle George opened the second half by returning the Lion's kick to the Augusta Christian 31 yard line. Three plays later on third- and- nine, quarterback Cliff Ayers passed to Taylor Smith to give the Skyhawks first- and- goal from the 10. Ayers connected with Smith again three plays later to tie the game at 7- 7.

The Lions regained the lead after Cameron Hoover intercepted an Ayers' pass and returned it to the Hammond 18 yard line. Quarterback Tyler Bourdo then punched it in three plays later from the three yard line giving Augusta Christian a 14- 7 advantage with 5:09 remaining in the third quarter.

Photo by Elizabeth Bailey Johnson Hammond's Joseph Zemp kicks the game winner.

The Skyhawks looked dead in the water after their third straight punt with 6:17 remaining in the game, but the Skyhawk defense held the Lions to two straight three- and- outs. When Augusta Christian got its third chance to run the clock out, Harmon fumbled giving the Skyhawks the ball at the Lion 10 yard line.

After two of Ayers' passes netted - 2 yards, Ayers found Alston James on a third- and- six play for a leaping grab over an Augusta Christian defender in the back right corner of the end zone. James's catch tied the game at 14- 14 with 3:18 remaining.

Photo by Elizabeth Bailey Johnson Hammond head coach Erik Kimrey celebrates the state championship with athletic director Rich Edwards.

After the ensuing kick- off and two Augusta Christian plays later, Hammond's Will Patterson recovered Cory Critell's fumble on a second- and- three run giving the Skyhawks the ball at the Lion 33 yard line. Hammond Head Coach Erik Kimrey turned to running back Brad Meredith who was held in check by the Augusta Christian defense for most of the night. Meredith ran the ball five straight times getting Hammond to the 12 yard line. On fourth and a long one, Kimrey elected to send in place- kicker Joseph Zemp.

Zemp delivered drilling the 29- yard field goal and giving the Skyhawks their first lead 17- 14 with 1:29 remaining in the game.

The Lions responded with four straight incompletions. The Hammond offense assumed the victory formation to run out the clock and collect their second straight title over Augusta Christian.

Photo by Elizabeth Bailey Johnson Hammond senior receiver Alston James caught four passes for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Hammond's offense was led by Ayers who completed 14 of 24 passes for 116 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Meredith rushed 24 times for 78 yards. Alston James caught four passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Taylor Smith had two catches for 20 yards and a touchdown.

The defense was lead by Will Patterson who had a sack, one fumble recovery, and was in Bourdo's face most of the night. Stone Pinckney had a fumble recovery.

See video highlights and more pictures of Hammond's championship in the Shandon Plus Section of www.TheColumbiaStar.com .

Photo by Elizabeth Bailey Johnson Hammond senior DB/LB Austin Hood.