Hammond's Stone Pinckney chases down Heathwood Hall's Brett Whalen. Pinckney helped limit the Highlander rushing attack with ten tackles. Having grown up in S.C. I am acutely aware of the intensity and visceral nature that apply to athletic rivalries every time you turn around in this state.

It is almost as if it is programmed in our Sandlapper DNA to have a rivalry. Some rivalries have become so embittered that players and fans have lost sight of the game, and it becomes a yelling match between players, some fights occur, and coaches and referees are constantly questioned.

This was not the case last Friday night, October 12, when the Hammond Skyhawks and Heathwood Hall Highlanders took the field in their historic prep school rivalry game. Though only one team went home the victor, both teams and fans demonstrated true sportsmanship, and respect for one another throughout the entire game.

The first quarter initially appeared to be in complete control by Hammond thanks to Taylor Smith's interception of the first pass thrown by Heathwood Hall quarterback Brett Whalen. Smith was able to bring in the very same ball he had intercepted for Hammond's first touchdown on a one- yard run five minutes into the game. The point after attempt was not good.

Hammond's Brad Meredith rushed a school record 43 times amassing 253 yards and two touchdowns including the game winner. On Hammond's next possession, Smith the go- to guy to get the ball across the goal line was credited with the touchdown on a three- yard run. However, a bird's eye view or hindsight of Smith crossing the line demonstrates he may not have had total possession of the ball, and with only a single touchdown separating these two teams, this call could have very well made the difference in the final score.

Despite the call, there was no whining or complaining made to Heathwood Hall Coach John Daye. The Highlanders just came back out on the field to stop the two- point conversion.They responded with a beautiful spiral from Whalen to Alan Ress to put Heathwood on the board and make the score 12- 7 in favor of the Skyhawks with 2:38 remaining in the first quarter.

Heathwood would surge forward taking the lead 14- 12 on a Whalen 11- yard touchdown pass to his brother Morgan Whalen with just over two minutes remaining in the first half. Hammond regained the lead midway through the fourth quarter on a Brad Meredith two- yard touchdown run which he followed with a successful two- point conversion run.

Whalen then found his other brother Mac on a 20- yard touchdown pass two minutes later. The point after attempt failed tying the score at 20- 20 with 4:25 to play.

The Skyhawks then marched 69 yards in 11 plays taking the lead for good on a Meredith six- yard run with 19 seconds remaining in the game. Smith who started things for Hammond by intercepting Whalen's first pass ended the game by intercepting Whalen's final pass of the game.

Heathwood relied heavily on the arm of Brett Whalen who completed 11 of 19 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Heathwood's running game was hampered by the Hammond defense which allowed the Highlanders just 60 yards, 162 yards below their previous season average. Meanwhile, Meredith who rushed for a school record 43 times amassing 253 yards and two touchdowns drove Hammond's running game. The most critical aspect of Meredith's play was he continued to pound down field and pound down the clock.

Hammond's Taylor Smith crosses the goal line for a touchdown ... or does he? It was ruled a touchdown by officials. Hammond was victorious, 27 - 20, but more importantly these two schools provided class, style, and great entertainment to one of the most intense high school rivalries in the Midlands.

As I witnessed the two teams and their fans gathering around, I thought what an honor to be part of a tradition that invokes such spirit, sportsmanship, and respect.