Beaufort football downs Dillon to punch ticket to state championship game

Beaufort High football earned its second-straight state championship trip by defeating one of the state’s powerhouse programs.

The Eagles defeated perennial power Dillon 30-21 on Friday night in the Class 3A Lower State finals. Beaufort will play Powdersville at 7 p.m. Thursday for the state championship at Benedict College’s Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia.

Powdersville defeated Clinton 27-14 to earn its first trip to the state title game.

“It is something that hasn’t happened before going to state championship two years in a row,” Beaufort coach Bryce Lybeand said Saturday morning. “We are getting to do some things that haven’t been done before. Last night was awesome. That is why we try to schedule tough games, go play in fun places so when we play in big games that they are used to it. They won’t be intimidated by going anywhere and playing.

“We have gone to Myrtle Beach and Dillon in back-to-back playoffs and won games.”

It is Beaufort’s third state championship appearance since 1964 and second in a row. Beaufort played for the Class 4A championship last season, losing to South Pointe. The Eagles were moved to Class 3A this season as part of the S.C. High School League’s realignment process.

Beaufort handed Dillon its first loss of the season and first home playoff loss since 2011. The Wildcats are one of the top programs in the state, winning seven state championships and making 10 title appearances since 2008.

Beaufort running back Kacy Fields rushed for 159 yards and three second-half touchdowns in the game. Two of Fields’ touchdowns came in the third quarter as the Eagles led 21-14.

Dillon tied the game on Ty Martin’s run with 2:08 left in the third quarter.

The Eagles took the lead on a bizarre play in the fourth quarter. Beaufort was driving deep into Wildcats’ territory before Dillon’s Donnezz Alford intercepted Samari Bonds’ pass in the end zone. But the Wildcats were flagged for holding in the end zone on Alford’s return. As a result, Beaufort was awarded a safety and took a 23-21 lead with 10:50 left.

“It is just a weird play, never seen it happen before but they made the right call,” Lybrand said. “I’m sure the people at Dillon didn’t like it but they made the right call. The refs got together and talked about it to make sure it was right.

Beaufort extended the lead on Fields’ 2-yard run on the next possession with 6:20 left. The Eagles benefited from a short field after the kickoff.

Beaufort’s defense came up with two interceptions on Dillon’s next two drives, including Don Camacho’s inside the 20-yard line, to seal the win.

Beaufort finished with 410 yards rushing in the game and didn’t complete a pass in three attempts. The Eagles also overcame five turnovers in the game.

“We moved the ball all night. It wasn’t always easy,” Lybrand said. “But we just got to clean up those mistakes.”

Colton Phares led the Eagles with 163 yards rushing and a 36-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 in the first quarter. Bonds added 85 yards on nine carries.

Chris McCollum had two touchdown runs for the Wildcats.