Irmo’s Anthony Washington is one of the unsung talents for the Yellow Jackets.
The Irmo Yellow Jackets came back from a 35-28 fourth quarter deficit to knock off the Westside Rams 43-35 on November 13 to advance to the quarterfinals of the 4A playoffs.
The Yellow Jackets will get to stay home for the quarterfinal round as they welcome the Catawba Ridge Copperheads.
“Any time you get a chance at a home game, it means a lot,” Irmo head coach Aaron Brand said.
Irmo comes into the game sporting a 6-2 record, with losses to A.C. Flora and Chapin. Catawba Ridge has a 6-1 record with its only blemish coming in a season-opening loss to South Pointe.
“I’m very proud of the effort the boys have played with all season long,” Catawba Ridge head coach Zachary Lendyak said. “We knew we had a tough job being just a second year program, but the boys have really focused on controlling the things we can control and getting better each and every day.”
Coming off a 3-8 campaign in 2019, the Yellow Jackets have also seen vast improvement this season and are now one step away from a semifinal appearance.
“They’ve grown a lot, especially mentally,” Brand said. “Last year everyone was worried about how things were said and done; now they get the message. They want to play hard.”
Both coaches feel this is a good matchup. Irmo likes to run the ball with Jayon Chambers and quarterbacks Dylan Williams and Deedrick Starkes. One of the more unheralded players is H-back/tight end Anthony Washington, who mostly serves as a blocker but has also caught his share of big passes, and touchdowns.
Brand believes those players will be key to Irmo being competitive in Friday’s game.
Irmo is averaging 33.6 points per game and has scored 30 or more points five times this year including the last four games.
“Irmo is very physical and has an explosive offense,” Lendyak said. “We know we have to play sound assignment football. We are looking to execute each play, cut down on the turnovers, and try to kep up the physical play we have had all year.”
The Copperhead defense is formidable, only giving up an average of 11.6 points per game. Defensive stars include Brody Tesimale, 68 tackles, four sacks, and one interception; Asa Johnson, 57 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks, and one fumble recovery; RJ Lincoln, 48 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery; and Jacobie Henderson, 25 tackles, three interceptions, and one sack
Defensively, the Yellow Jackets will look to slow down a Catawba Ridge offense averaging 25.6 points per game, slightly higher than the 23.6 points per game Irmo is giving up on defense.
The Copperheads have some playmakers on offense including quarterback Kayden Hager, who did not start until week four. Hager has completed 49-of-74 passes for 709 yards and ten touchdowns. He has also 427 yards and seven touchdowns on 57 carries. Hager’s favorite target has been wide receiver Quinten Jackson, who has 32 catches for 462 yards and five touchdowns.
Lendyak believes winning field position and protecting the football will be important.
Brand believes it is important for his team to get off to a fast start, since they have played from behind often this season. However, he believes his team’s experience will play an important role. Friday’s game will be the Yellow Jackets’ ninth this season.
A spot in the 4A semifinals is on the line at W.J. Hawkins stadium, a nice accomplishment for either team in a different kind of season.
“It would be another big win for the program,” Brand said. “It is a short term goal, definitely not a long term one. It would mean we would have a chance to continue to play.”
Leave a Reply