Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Throughout the years, Barnwell versus Silver Bluff has been the game to circle on the football calendar. Therse two teams have met to determine region championships, Lower State titles, and numerous other playoff game winners. Barnwell versus Silver Bluff has been synonymous with great high school football.
This was not the case last Wednesday, September 25 as Barnwell traveled to Silver Bluff for a pre-Hurricane Helene game. This game was all Barnwell, with the Warhorses scoring early and scoring often on the way to a 47-0 beatdown of the Bulldogs.
Coaching legends Mac Wier from Barnwell and Al Lown from Silver Bluff are both 2024 inductees into the South Carolina Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and deservedly so. These two men guided their respective squads to many great seasons, State Championships, and some of the classic meetings between these two storied programs. Surely, neither of these coaches would expect a Silver Bluff versus Barnwell game to be so overwhelmingly one-sided.
Barnwell quarterback Cam Austin had another big game, going 14 of 17 for 205 yards and two touchdowns through the air and added another rushing touchdown for the Horses. The running game also saw touchdowns from Nehemiah Brown and Jayden Rollins. Ja’Quan Peeples led the receiving corps with five catches for 86 yards. Kahzeer Wesley had two catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. William “Polish” Robinson had three catches for 44 yards and a touchdown. Robinson also had a defensive touchdown when he returned a Silver Bluff interception for another Warhorse score.
Barnwell head coach Brian Smith was asked about his team’s huge win over Silver Bluff and said, “Tonight was a special night for the Warhorses. It's always great to get a win especially a win over the Bluff, but I'm so proud of the way our kids played tonight. We scored on every offensive possession. Our defense pitched another shut out. Special teams were amazing all over the field.”
Coach Smith was “very happy that William Robinson scored on both offense and defense. He has been leading our defense each week by example and with his play. His work ethic is off the charts and is starting to show up each week. I was also glad to see him get a touchdown reception.”
“Offensively, we threw a lot at Silver Bluff. This was a great week to focus on us in the short week and I really was happy with the way our kids responded. Defensively, getting the shutout is always the goal. We held them in check all night long and I'm proud of our coaches and players and the effort they gave,” said Coach Smith.
The Warhorses now get into region play “where everything matters,” said Coach Smith. “One of our goals is to win the region championship. Our region winner will host all playoff games at home and that would be a great way to finish this season.”
With the win, Barnwell improves to 5-1 on the season and will open region 5 AA play on the road this Friday, Oct. 4 at Lake Marion. Lake Marion is 2-3 on the season.
Come out and support the Warhorse football team as they look to go 6-1 on the season, and more importantly, 1-0 in region play. Go Horses!
