Hammond receiver Aaron Walters gets sandwiched by two Orangeburg Prep defenders. In recent years at Hammond, the football program painted success in vivid, broad strokes.

The victories - 38 in the past 40 games - were a deep red: 20 were by 20 points or more, including one of the Skyhawks three consecutive SCISA Class 3A titles. Even the rare loss was close - a combined 11 points - and quickly brushed over.

In Week 2 against Orangeburg Prep, this group of Skyhawks (2- 0) learned how to sketch success with a fine line: a halftime adjustment, a fourthdown conversion and a deflected ball.

"It's a tremendous experience to be in a four- quarter game," Hammond coach Erik Kimrey said after the 7- 3 victory. "It's something we can build on."

The canvas is valuable to Kimrey because these Skyhawks are young and untested. Even the oldest players have little experience to draw on: Only four times in the past three regular seasons have the Skyhawks won by one score or less. None of those came in the season's first month - or with a foe two yards from victory.

Photos by Jim Marczesky Hammond QB Dave Nidi f fer scrambles against OP. After driving 78 yards on 11 plays in 2:39, Orangeburg Prep was at the 2 with 13.5 seconds remaining. The Indians set up in the shotgun only to have the snap deflected away from quarterback Cap Thackston. Orangeburg Prep recovered, but time ran out.

"We just had to hold on; we knew they would run it," junior linebacker James Verner said. "We couldn't let them get those last few yards."

The offense showed a similar resolve on its scoring drive. Hammond faced a fourth- and- 4 at the 9 to start the fourth quarter. Quarterback David Nidiffer connected with Thomas Chappell for a 6- yard gain - the tight end's lone catch. Nidiffer finished with 76 yards passing - 57 of which went to Aaron Walters.

Hammond also converted a fourth- and- 1 on its next drive, allowing it to run off a critical three minutes. Both possessions were the result of a halftime adjustment.

"OP was doing a couple of things that our young linemen were having trouble with," Kimrey said. "We just needed to remind them about some fundamental techniques and adjustments to correct the problem."

Hammond's Jake Ayers punts against OP. In the first half, Hammond's 23 plays included 14 rushes. Six of those went for losses or no gain. In the second half, Hammond's 31 plays included 22 rushes. Four of those went for losses or no gain; two were mishandled snaps from the shotgun.

"The line did an excellent job in the second half," Cotter said. "The holes were a lot wider. Coach talked to us about blocking schemes and picking up the blitz off the edges."

Cotter, who on paper is splitting the running duties with sophomore B.J. Bennett, finished with 141 yards on 28 carries and the touchdown.

"We've focused Les more on offense and B.J. on defense, but we need to get B.J. more carries," Kimrey said. "Les ran really well, but we can't ask him to carry as much of the load as he did (Friday) all season."

Hammond's cheerleader Jennifer Hubbard. Hammond's Kyle Grant celebrates.