Summerville ran, passed and kicked for scores while its defense flexed its muscles on Sept. 28 during a 20-3 victory over Stratford.
The Green Wave hosted the Knights for a Wednesday Night Lights event moved up from Friday due to the anticipated impact Hurricane Ian was expected to have on the Lowcountry. On each of its first three possessions, Summerville quickly marched up field to score and take an early 13-0 lead.
“I’m really proud of our guys,” Summerville coach Ian Rafferty said. “Coming in we talked about just finding a way to win and with only two days preparation these guys did a great job. We kind of controlled the whole game.”
Summerville outgained Stratford 445 yards to 204 yards.
Quarterback Campbell McCurry threw for 218 yards and a TD. He had a 65.6 percent completion percentage for the game and rushed for 33 yards, but did throw his first interception of the season.
Running back Marquez Spells rushed for 94 yards on 16 carries and had four receptions for 28 yards.
Trae Green rushed for 42 yards on nine carries.
Junior Quintrelle Pettiford led the Green Wave receivers with seven receptions for 91 yards and a TD. Junior Yannick Smith had eight receptions for 84 yards, rushed for 47 yards on six carries and completed an 11-yard pass.
“We are ready for region play,” Spells said. “We just need to keep playing hard and being physical. Our offensive linemen are blocking and we are moving faster this year.”
Summerville opens region play Oct. 7 at Stall. It then faces a tough stretch hosting West Ashley Oct. 14 and Ashley Ridge Oct. 21 before taking on the Patriots at Fort Dorchester Oct. 28.
The Green Wave defense also seems ready to fight for a region title. Summerville is outscoring its opponents 182-62. The Wave defense shutout Wando and held Carolina Forest, Berkeley and Stratford to a single score.
Defensive lineman Josh Matusik is helping lead the way and is Summerville’s leading tackler this season with more than 50 stops. He is in double digits for tackles for a loss and was one of the players who put great pressure on the Stratford offense Friday.
“I’m just focusing on putting in the work for my coaches and teammates,” Matusik said. “I feel like I’ve come a long way since last year and it’s because of that work. This year everyone is meshing together, so it’s great.”
The Green Wave capped a 71-yard drive with a 42-yard touchdown pass from McCurry to Pettiford to take a 10-0 lead over Stratford with 6:21 remaining in the opening quarter. Summerville kicker Mason Ayers hit field goals from 30 and 37 yards out and followed the TD pass with a successful extra-point kick in the first 12 minutes.
The Green Wave's fourth possession ended with an interception by Stratford's Brenden Carter, but Summerville’s defense held for a fourth straight time. The Wave’s final possession of the first half ended with a punt after an offensive pass interference call on a third down.
Stratford didn't get anywhere near the end zone in the first two quarters and only managed to do it once in the second half.
Summerville drove 55 yards on its first possession of the third quarter to score off a 6-yard run by Smith. Ayers added the PAT for a 20-0 Green Wave lead.
Stratford started its ensuing drive at its own 27 and with the help of a 15-yard penalty drove all the way to the Summerville 7. The drive stalled and the Knights settled for a 24-yard field goal by Matt Hass that marked the end of the scoring.
Summerville 20, Stratford 3
Summ - Mason Ayers 30-yard field goal.
Summ - Quintrelle Pettiford 42-yard pass from Campbell McCurry. Ayers kick.
Summ - Ayers 37-yard field goal
Summ - Yannick Smith 6-yard run. Ayers kick.
Strat - Matt Hass 24-yard field goal.
