By Neill Kirkpatrick
Special to the HSSR
Goose Creek – The Timberland Wolves opened region play Friday night with a 35-14 win over Bishop England to improve to 2-5/1-0 and while their overall record is not where they want it to be a tough early season schedule has them ready for what lies ahead.
“We told the guys to keep plugging. We scheduled some tough non-region games that will help us down the road. I told the guys do not listen to the outside noise; we just need to stay focused on our goals and continue to improve each week,” said head coach Greg Wright.
“It is always my plan to schedule up to help us down the road in region play and the playoffs. No disrespect to anyone but I feel we have a good shot at the region championship and those early games will have us ready,” Coach Wright said.
The Wolves opened the season dropping their first four games but three of those losses were by a total of nine points and the fourth was to a Phillip Simmons team that is 7-0 and has outscored their opponents by a 194 points.
The last three weeks have seen the Wolves beat area rival Hanahan (28-24), a tough loss to AAAAA West Ashely and the region opening win over Bishop England.
Senior quarterback Kylen Brown has been solid all year but is starting to get the offense running on all cylinders. Friday night against Bishop England he accounted for all five touchdowns and over 250 yards of total offense. He is closing in on 2000 yards of total offense on the year.
“Kylen is a three-year starter for us. He is our leader. He is playing better each week,” said coach Wright s.
While Brown does a good job of spreading the ball around, he has found a favorite target in junior wideout J’Vaarez Sumpter. Sumpter had 9 receptions for 127 yards and three touchdowns Friday night. He can turn a short throw into six points. He makes people miss and has the speed to run away from defenders.
“J’Vaarez is a special player, and he can play at the next level,” coach Wright said.
Senior wide receivers Rashod White and Xavier Hampton have also been big in the Wolves passing game while senior running backs Damarion Hampton and Amir Millegan have been solid in the run game.
White and Hampton also play in the secondary. Hampton had an interception Friday night.
Defensively the Wolves have been led by senior linebacker Kavon Green and junior lineman Laseam Liferidge and sophomore linemen Desmond Green. Liferidge and Desmond have also been solid on the offensive line.
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