Past Stories From 2006 Season

Patriots Take on Stratford In Playoffs;

Face Knights in second round . . .

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

The Patriots of Fort Dorchester, will travel to take on the Stratford Knights Friday night at Stratford High School for a second round game in the state AAAA playoffs.

The Patriots and Knights have met 11 times in the past, and Stratford leads the series 10 games to one. The lone Patriot win came in the 2001 season. The Pats held on for a 26-23 win at Bagwell Stadium.

The Knights have won the last five meetings however, including a meeting this season in the regular season back in September. Stratford won a close one as the Knights escaped with a 10-7 win at Stratford.

The Patriots are 0-6 at Bonds stadium. It will also mark the first time the two teams have met twice in the same season and the first time they have faced off in playoff action.

The winner of Friday's game will take on the Byrnes/Gaffney winner next week.

Game Day Notes:

*  Head Coach Steve LaPrad, is in his fourth year as head varsity football coach at the Fort. LaPrad is 27-23 overall at FDHS. The Knights will be under the direction head coach Ray Stackley.

*   Friday’s game will be the 12th meeting between the two schools. The Knights lead the series 10 games to 1. The Knights won the last meeting between the two schools, a 10-7 win at Stratford. Stratford dominated the series early winning by an average of 24 points in the first three games. But the Patriots have closed that gap with the average margin of Stratford’s wins only eight points before the Patriots first win in the series in 2001. Stratford scored the winning field goal in the final minute this season to pull out the win.

*  The Patriots are 0-6 at Stratford Field and are 1-4 at home against the Knights.  The only win against the Knights was during the 2001 season at home, a 26-23 victory for the Pats. Stratford defeated the Pats earlier this season at Knights Field in a regular season match-up.

Patriots Advance With 1st Round Win;

Pats down Sumter 35-26. . .

Monday, November 13, 2006

Senior running back Derrick Middleton powered the Patriots to a 35-26 win over the Sumter Gamecocks in the first round of the state AAAA playoffs last Friday night at Bagwell Stadium.

Middleton scored three touchdowns and rushed for 166 yards to lead the Pats. The Patriots (9-3) will advance to take on Stratford in Goose Creek Friday night in the second round. The Gamecocks finished their season with a 7-5 record.

Middleton scored on runs of 5, 65 and 19 yards and went over the 1,000 yard mark for the season.

The Patriots led 14-7 at the half then held off Sumter in the second half to pull out the victory. It avenged a third round loss to the Gamecocks three years ago in Sumter when they ousted the Patriots from the playoffs in 2003.

The Patriots also got scores from Xaiver Rodgers on a 21 yard interception return and quarterback Galen Bennett running in for a score from 20 yards out.

Bennett Keys Wins Over Dolphins;

Sophomore QB scores twice and throws for another. . .

Monday, November 6, 2006

Sophomore quarterback Galen Bennett rushed for a pair of touchdowns and passes for another to lead the Patriots to a 47-0 victory over Battery Creek Friday. The Patriots finished the regular season with an 8-3 record and 3-2 in region play. The Dolphins finished their season winless finishing 0-11 and 0-5.

The win gives the Patriots a second place finish in Region 8-AAAA and will host Sumter in the first round of the state playoffs Friday night.

Bennett scored on a pair of one yard runs and threw a 13 yard pass toRyan Ward. Dwayne Scales also scored two TD's from one and 12 yards while the defense added another asJordan McDaniel picked off a pass returning it 30 yards.

Game time Friday night for the playoff game with Sumter will be at 7:30 at Bagwell Stadium.

Playoff Schedule Announced;

Patriots seeded 7th . . .

Monday, November 6, 2006

Fort Dorchester will host Sumter in the first round of the state AAAA playoffs Friday at Bagwell Stadium. The playoff bracket is listed below:

Playoff pairings for 1st round on November 10:

4A Division I

Fort Mill (16) at Summerville (1)
Spartanburg (9) at Dutch Fork (8)

Rock Hill (13) at Spring Valley (4)
Dorman (12) at Irmo (5)

Northwestern (15) at Stratford (2)
Sumter (10) at Fort Dorchester (7)

Colleton County (14) at Gaffney (3)
Wando (11) at Byrnes (6)

4A Division II

Laurens (16) at Greenwood (1)
Ridge View (9) at Hartsville (8)

Westside (13) at Aiken (4)
South Aiken (12) at Goose Creek (5)

Easley (15) at Clover (2)
Berkeley (10) at T.L. Hanna (7)

Orangeburg-Wilkinson (14) at Conway (3)
Beaufort (11) at York (6)

Wave/Green Pull Away For Win Over Pats;

Summerville and A.J. Green beat Fort at home. . .

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Summerville came to Bagwell Stadium looking for a region title. It took a hard fought game and a rain storm to find it, however Summerville defeated Fort Dorchester 27-12 Friday to claim the 8-AAAA Region title.

Summerville and Fort D had a hard fought first half with Summerville leading 13-12 at intermission.

Carlos Dunlap highlighted the first half with an opening kickoff return of 92 yards to put the Pats up early.

But the second half was all Summerville with A.J. Green leading the way. Green finished the night with 10 receptions and a touchdown. Summerville r3emains unbeaten with a 10-0 overall record and 4-0 region mark. The Patriots fall to 7-3 and 2-2

Click on the link below to read the entire game story that was written by Phil Bowman of the Post & Courier.

Patriots / Green Wave Clash Friday;

Region title up for grabs . . .

Thursday, October 26, 2006

The Patriots and Green Wave will face-off Friday night at Bagwell Stadium when they meet for the 14th time in the history of the two teams. The Green Wave leads the series 11-2. The last Patriot win came back in the 2001 season when the Pats defeated the Wave for the second straight season.

The winner of the game will be the region champion and will get home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Summerville is 9-0 coming into the game and 3-0 in the region. The Fort is 7-2 overall and 2-1 in region play. A win will give the Pats the region championship with both teams with a region loss, but head to head will give the winner the championship.

Kick off is set for 7:30 pm at Bagwell Stadium. A crowd of about 8-10,000 is expected so arrive early. Bagwell Stadium seats 6,500.

Series Record: Summerville leads the series 11 - 2

Last Meeting: Summerville 20, Fort Dorchester 15

Summerville High School October 28, 2005

Current Streaks: Fort Dorchester - Two game Winning streak;

Summerville - Nine game Winning streak

Coaches: Fort Dorchester – Steve LaPrad 25-22, 4th season at FD

Summerville - John McKissick 9-0 this season at Summerville

♦ Give the Pats their eighth win of the year improving to 8-2.

*  Give Fort Dorchester their 2nd Region title in school history.

♦ Give the Pats their third win over Summerville and snap the Waves

♦ Give the Pats a 3-11 overall record in the series.

♦ Give the Pats their second win in Bagwell Stadium over the Wave.

♦ Head Coach Steve LaPrad, is in his fourth year as head varsity

football coach at the Fort. LaPrad has compiled a 25-22 record in

four seasons at FDHS. The Green Wave is coachedby John

♦ Friday’s game will be the 14th meeting between the two

schools . Summerville leads the overall series 11-2.

♦ The Patriots game tonight with Summerville will match the

longest rival game with an opponent at 14 games. The

♦ The Fort is currently riding two game winning streak.

♦ Fort D is 4-2 on the road this seasonwhile 3-1 at their

Patriots Unleash Offense;

Trounce West Ashley 49-7 Friday. . .

Sun day, October 22, 2006

The Patriots offense scored early and often and the defense smothered the Wildcats in a convincing 49-7 win at Bagwell Stadium Friday night. The Senior night victory improves the Pats to 7-2 overall and 2-1 in the region. West Ashley falls to 2-7 and 1-2.

The win sets up a region showdown for the region championship with Summerville this Friday night at Patriot Field.

Quarterback Galen Bennett led the Pats with 139 yards on six carries and two scores. Running Back Derrick Middleton added three touchdowns for the Patriots. Fort D put the game away in the second quarter scoring five touchdowns in the period to lead 42-0 at the half.

Wildcats; Patriots To Meet In Region Game;

Pats look to extend their 1-game win streak . . .

Thursday, October 19, 2006

The Patriots will host the Wildcats in a region match-up Friday night at Bagwell Stadium.

The West Ashley/Fort Dorchester game will be a region game for the first time with the re-alignment process. West Ashley moves from region 7-AAAA to region 8 this season making it a bigger game than in the past.

The Pats have never lost to the Wildcats winning all six meeting between the two schools. Last season however, West Ashley made it close losing by only two points 15-13.

Friday's game will also be Band Senior Appreciation Night with the senior band members and their parents being honored at halftime.

Game Day Notes:

¨   This will be the fourth home game of the season for the Patriots, who has a 2-1 record at Bagwell Stadium this season. The win last week by the Pats snapped their 2-game losing streak. West Ashley is still looking for its first region win of the season starting off 1-7 overall and 0-2 in region play.

¨   Head Coach Steve LaPrad , is in his fourth year as head varsity football coach at the Fort. LaPrad compiled an 23-22 overall mark. The Cats are coached by Fred Hamilton who is 1-7 this season.

¨   Friday’s gamewill be the seventh meeting between the two schools. The Patriots lead the series 6 games to 0. The Patriots won the last meeting between the two schools, a 15-13 win at FDHS last season.

¨   The Patriots are 3-0 at Bagwell Stadium against West Ashley.  The Patriots are 3-0 at WAHS Field.

Fort D Gets Big Region Win;

Edges Colleton County 29-22 on the road. . .

Sunday, October 15, 2006

The Patriots of Fort Dorchester got a big region win last Friday defeating Colleton County 29-22 in Walterboro.

The win improves the Patriots record to 6-2 for the season and 1-1 in region play. It also snaps the Patriots 2-game losing streak after losses to Stratford and Beaufort.

Derrick Middleton rushed for 63 yards and a pair of scores, while Dwayne Scales had 80 all-purpose yards and a score. Quarterback Galen Bennett completed 6-of-12 passes for 87 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Kevin White.

The win keeps the Patriots hopes alive with only the top three teams from the region receiving bids to the AAAA playoffs that begin November 10.

The Pats will return home to face West Ashley this coming Friday night in Bagwell Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7:30 pm.

Beaufort Spoil Patriots Homecoming;

Beats Pats in OT 32-29. . .

Monday, October 9, 2006

The Patriots lost for the third straight year to Beaufort, all in overtime and all by just three points. The Eagles came to Bagwell Stadium and spoiled the Patriots Homecoming with a heartbreaking 32-29 win over the Pats.

Fort Dorchester falls to 5-2 overall and 0-1 in region play. Beaufort improved to 4-3 and 1-0. The top three teams in each region will advance to the AAAA playoffs, so the Patriots can not afford to lose many more region games if they want to make the playoffs.

The Patriots will travel to take on Colleton County this Friday night in Walterboro.

Patriots Begin Region Play This Week;

Looking to avenge double OT loss last year . . .

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

The Patriots will host a very strong Beaufort Eagle team this Friday night at Bagwell Stadium to start Region 8-AAAA play. The game will be the Patriots homecoming. The Patriots are 5-1 entering the region part of their schedule.  They are off to their best start in school history and are currently ranked #10 in the state. The only region title for the Patriots came in the 2000 season when the Pats won their region and finished 11-2 that season.

Game Day Facts:

Series Record:  Fort Dorchester leads the series 7 - 4

Last Meeting:  Fort Dorchester 17  Beaufort 20 (2OT)

            Beaufort High School October 7, 2005

Current Streaks:  Fort Dorchester - One game Losing streak; 

                           Beaufort – One Game Losing streak

Coaches:  Fort Dorchester – Steve LaPrad 23-21, 4th season at FD

            Beaufort -  Mark Clifford 3-3 in his 3rd season at Beaufort

Patriots All-Time Scores Vs The Eagles

10/7/05      @ Beaufort 20                 Fort Dorchester 17   (2OT)

10/8/04       Beaufort 20                    @ Fort Dorchester 17

10/10/03     Fort Dorchester 49       @Beaufort 28

10/11/02     @Fort Dorchester 26   Beaufort 19

10/5/01       @Fort Dorchester 20   Beaufort 5

9/22/00       Fort Dorchester 25       @Beaufort 6

9/3/99         @Fort Dorchester 44   Beaufort 14

9/4/98         Fort Dorchester 28       @Beaufort 14

9/5/97         Beaufort  33                  @Fort Dorchester 19

9/6/96         Fort Dorchester 14       @Beaufort 7

11/05/93     @Beaufort  28                Fort Dorchester 0

Fort Dorchester leads the series 7 games to 4.

Eagles won last season 20-17 at Beaufort in double OT.

Patriots are 3-2 at Patriot Field and are 4-2 at Eagle Field.

Beaufort have won the last two meetings between the two teams.

Game Day Notes:

Region 8-AAAA

¨   Tonight’s Game the Region opener for both teams. Beaufort and Fort D will begin their quest to capture the Region title. The Patriots have won their region one time back in the 2000 season.

¨   Head Coach Steve LaPrad , is in his fourth year as head varsity football coach at the Fort. LaPrad 23-21 in his fourth season at FDHS. The Eagles will be under the direction of third year head coach Mark Clifford.

¨ Friday’s game will be the 12th meeting between the two schools. The Patriots lead the overall series seven games to four. The Patriots have won six of the last eight games however, the Eagles have won the last two games. The Patriots are 3-2 at home against the Eagles and are 4-2 at Eagle Field.

Stratford's Late TD Knocks Out Pats;

Knights win 10-7 in come back win. . .

Monday, October 2, 2006

The Stratford Knights knocked the Patriots of Fort Dorchester from the unbeaten ranks as the Knights beat FD 10-7 Friday night at Stratford.

Stratford quarterback Dexter Washington hit Asheton Jordan on a 2-yard touchdown pass with just over three minutes left in the game to secure the victory at Bands Stadium.

The win improved the Knights to 5-1 for the year and gives them their fifth straight win over the Pats. Fort D falls to 5-1 and trails the Knights 10-1 in the series.

#10 Fort D Travels To Take On #8 Stratford;

Stratford leads series 9-1. . .

Thursday, September 28, 2006

The Patriots of Fort Dorchester, the number 10 ranked team in the state, will travel to take on the number 8 ranked Stratford Knights Friday night at Stratford High School.

The Patriots and Knights have met 10 times in the past, and Stratford leads the series nine games to one. The lone Patriot win came in the 2001 season. The Pats held on for a 26-23 win at Bagwell Stadium.

The Knights have won the last four meetings however, last season was close with Stratford escaping with a 14-10 win at the Fort.

The Patriots are 0-5 at Bonds stadium. But the Patriots are riding a five game winning streak to start the 2006 season. Stratford is coming off a 21-0 loss to Summerville last week.

This game will be a key match-up for the Patriots to keep their winning streak alive and to move higher in the Top 10 polls. Stratford will be looking to avenge last week's loss.

This will be the final non-region game for the 2006 season. The Patriots will open region play next week when they host Beaufort. The top three teams in region play will advance to the AAAA playoffs.

Game Day Facts:

Series Record:  Stratford leads the series 9 - 1

Last Meeting:  Stratford 14 - Fort Dorchester 10

            Fort Dorchester High School September 30, 2005

Current Streaks:  Fort Dorchester - Five game winning streak; 

                           Stratford - One game losing streak

Coaches:  Fort Dorchester – Steve LaPrad 23-20, 4th season

            Stratford - Ray Stackley 4-1 this season at Stratford

Fort Dorchester Patriots (5-0; 0-0 8-AAAA)

Date    Opponent       Place/Result      Time/Score     Series

8/25     @ Goose Creek      WON                      27- 6          1-0;0-0

9/1       @ Berkeley             WON                      25 - 13       2-0;0-0

9/8       James Island           WON                      59 – 20      3-0;0-0

9/15     Wando                     WON                      17 – 14      4-0;0-0

9/22     Orange-Wilkin.        WON                     27 – 19      5-0;0-0

THIS WEEK

9/30     Stratford                    AWAY                      7:30           S 9-1

NEXT WEEK

10/7     @ Beaufort *             HOME                      7:30         FD 7-4

* - Region 8-AAAA Game

Game Day Notes:

*  Head Coach Steve LaPrad, is in his fourth year as head varsity football coach at the Fort. LaPrad is 23-20 overall at FDHS. The Knights will be under the direction head coach Ray Stackley.

*   Friday’s game will be the 11th meeting between the two schools. The Knights lead the series 9 games to 1. The Knights won the last meeting between the two schools, a 14-10 win at FDHS. Stratford dominated the series early winning by an average of 24 points in the first three games. But the Patriots have closed that gap with the average margin of Stratford’s wins only eight points before the Patriots first win in the series in 2001. Stratford scored the winning TD in the final minute last season to pull out the win at Bagwell Stadium.

*  The Patriots are 0-5 at Stratford Field and are 1-4 at home against the Knights.  The only win against the Knights was during the 2001 season at home, a 26-23 victory for the Pats.

*   The Fort is currently riding fife game winning streak winning their fist five game of the season. It is the best start ever for the Patriots. They are ranked #10 in the state Stratford is coming off a loss against Summerville, 21-0 last week at Summerville. They are ranked #8 in the state.

*   A win Friday would give the Pats a six game winning streak,their second longest winning streak since they won seven games in a row back in the 2000 season.

Patriots Move Up Into Top 10 Rankings;

5-0 start has Pats in Top Ten in the state AP Poll. . .

Wednes day, September 27, 2006

The Patriots of Fort Dorchester are in the Top Ten in the State AP Poll released this week. The Pats are moving up the rankings in two polls and as high as sixth in one poll it was released today.

The Patriots were ranked sixth according the the High School Sports Report in their top 25 poll. The Pats were also ranked in the AP Poll coming in at number 10 in the Top Ten in the state in 4-A.

It is the first time since the 2000 season the Patriots have been in the rankings when the team finished with a 11-2 overall record.

Five Opening Wins For First Time Ever;

Fort D beats Orangeburg-Wilkinson 27-19 . . .

September 24 , 2006

5-0! The Fort Dorchester football team remained unbeaten last Friday night with a 27-19 victory on the road over Orangeburg-Wilkinson. The win puts the Patriots at 5-0 to start the 2006 season and drops the Bruins to 3-2.

Derrick Middleton rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns to guide the Pats in the win The Patriots defense forced five turnovers in the game. The Pats picked of three O-W passes and recovered two fumbles, one leading to a defensive touchdown.

The win also gives the Patriots their best start in the history of the program. Their pervious best start was 4-0 back in the 2000 season before a loss to Stratford in week five. The Patriots then won seven straight games after that loss before losing the the semi-finals of the state playoffs finishing with an 11-2 overall record. It was also the year the Pats defeated Summerville for the first time and winning their only Region championship.

The Patriots will travel to Stratford this Friday night.

Patriots Hanging at Number Two In Lowcountry;

According to P&C Poll . . .

Sund ay, September 24, 2006

Fort Dorchester remained ranked second in the Lowcountry according to the Post & Courier Poll released Sunday. The Patriots, who were pre season ranked second and with their fifth straight wins to open the season, remained in second again this week.

Summerville tops the poll, followed by the Patriots and Goose Creek in the top three.

P & C Top 10 Lowcountry Poll