Could you imagine going through life every day with near-debilitating, chronic back pain? Back pain is one of the most common ailments in America - it's estimated that 8% of all adults, or 16 million people, suffer from chronic back pain in the U.S. every year. If you've never experienced a back injury or pain, be thankful. Chronic back pain affects every aspect of a person's life, from participating in sports to limitations with everyday activities, like cooking dinner. In fact, many people with chronic back pain can't even make a reliable living and put food on the table. Almost 83 million workdays are lost every year due to choric back pain.
The inability to work and provide isn't just a physical issue - it can become an emotional one too. Many people suffering from chronic back pain also suffer from depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, in the past, chronic back pain sufferers wanting to avoid addictive medications and invasive surgeries had few viable relief options. However, if you're suffering from a chronic back issue like sciatica, a pinched nerve, or a bulging disc, pain relief may be closer than you think.
Modern chiropractic care and, more specifically, a spinal decompression chiropractor in Wando, SC, may be the long-term solution you need for chronic back pain.
A common misconception is that chiropractors only adjust your back and neck when, in fact, they treat the whole body with all-natural treatments. Here at Elite Healthcare, our doctors focus on your overall health, not just pain. We want to find and address the underlying causes of your symptoms. If you're unfamiliar with an integrative approach to medicine, this strategy may seem new. Our chiropractic care is less about putting a band-aid on the problem and more about finding a natural, long-term solution to your pain.
Fortunately, our experienced chiropractors provide the best in natural pain relief. Prescription and over-the-counter pain medications mask the symptoms you're experiencing versus getting to the cause of your pain. Pain is often the result of your spine being out of alignment, which leads to nerve issues. Once your spine is back in alignment, the nerves function correctly again.
Because our chiropractic center offers a combination of different therapies and non-surgical treatments, we provide a comprehensive approach to healing. Depending on the extent of your back problems, spinal decompression therapy may be the answer to your chronic pain problems.
Initially developed in 1985 by Dr. Allan Dyer, spinal decompression has been used by chiropractors for years. Unfortunately, spinal decompression is often passed over as a viable treatment, despite its numerous benefits.
In the past, patients suffering from chronic back pain issues like herniated discs were usually prescribed powerful medications. They were instructed to refrain from physical activities, referred to a physical therapist, and sent on their way. While physical therapy has an important role in back pain recovery, some back conditions need a more comprehensive treatment approach. For those patients, surgery seemed like the only option.
Today, patients with chronic back pain have many more options to consider. One of the most effective treatments for serious back pain is spinal decompression. This proven therapy, provided by Elite Healthcare, has been shown to significantly reduce pain and help patients live a normal, even active lifestyle once again.
Spinal decompression, also called Lumbar Cervical Decompression Therapy (LCD Therapy), is a very effective non-surgical solution to chronic back pain problems. If you're like most patients, your back pain is caused by disc issues related to your spine. This type of therapy uses computer technology and a spinal decompression machine in cityname, state, to stretch your spinal column slowly and gently, relieving abnormal pressure on the discs in your back, which sit in between your vertebrae.
This precise stretching action causes negative pressure to form inside the discs in your back, making them retract. With time, this negative pressure causes a reverse vacuum of sorts that actually draws your protruding discs into place. When pressure is removed from the disc segments in your spine, you experience much-needed pain relief.
The primary purpose of spinal decompression therapy is to provide you with immediate pain relief while creating a healthy environment to heal your spinal disc condition. Some of the most common conditions that spinal decompression therapy treats include:
This happens when spinal discs in your back are pushed outside of the spinal canal. When pushed outside of their usual space, these discs can put pressure on the nerves in your spine, resulting in localized pain and pain throughout your body. If a bulging disc is left untreated, it has a high chance of rupturing, which can necessitate surgery and longer recovery time.
Herniated discs are discs in your back that fracture or crack and leak fluid. The fluid or gel that leaks from a herniated disc may irritate the nerves in your back. When this happens, you may experience an intense burning sensation that shoots up and down your lower back and legs.
As you grow older, joints in your body, like your knees and hips, begin to wear away with time. The same thing can happen to the discs in your back. Often caused by heavy lifting or a family history of spine problems, degenerative discs are painful and can lead to serious situations. In advanced cases, bone spurs can form and affect the nerves of your spine.
When a herniated disc or bone spur begins to put pressure on the nerves in your back, it often causes sciatica. Sciatica is a common back problem that causes pain to radiate from your lower back down your legs via your sciatic nerve. Sometimes, this pain is only felt in one of your legs.
This condition is similar to arthritis of your spine, where the cartilage inside your facet joint breaks down and becomes inflamed. The result is often intense neck and back pain. It's most often caused by degenerative changes in the joints located between the bones of your spine.
This painful condition manifests when the space in your backbone is too small. When this happens, pressure impacts your spinal cord and the nerves that travel through it. Like other conditions treated by a spinal decompression therapy cityname, state, stenosis is caused by wear-and-tear in your back, which forms arthritis.
This term is often used to classify a range of back problems, most often caused by a pinched nerve root in your spinal column. This pinched nerve root may occur in different locations down your spine, like the lumbar or thoracic areas. Usually caused by a narrowing of the space where your nerve root leaves the spine, symptoms of this condition include pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness.
If you're looking for a safe way to relieve your chronic back pain, spinal decompression should be on your list of treatments to consider. This painless procedure is backed by research showing higher success rates in many patients when compared to spinal surgery. Unlike many medications, spinal decompression from Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine is designed to correct the condition you're facing while also minimizing costs and eliminating recovery and downtime.
Some of the most popular reasons why patients choose spinal decompression over surgery and other treatments include:
Invasive procedures, like back surgeries, often leave the patient racked with pain, long recovery times, and complications. Sometimes, the surgery doesn't work as intended, leaving the patient responsible for a therapy that didn't work correctly. As a non-invasive treatment, spinal decompression therapy can treat back and neck pain without needles, incisions, or harmful manipulations of the spine.
Getting back pain relief from surgery is far from guaranteed. However, because spinal decompression targets the underlying causes of your back pain, it's a much more effective long-term treatment. Spinal decompression is not a quick fix. When coupled with positive lifestyle changes like losing weight, you can maximize the pain-relieving benefits of spinal decompression.
Surgery of the back and spine requires the patient to be bedridden and uncomfortable for days and even weeks. Recovering from back surgery is no easy feat and often requires strong pain medications to help. Sometimes, back surgeries don't go as planned, causing complications and worse scenarios. Spinal decompression, on the other hand, is very effective and doesn't require much recovery time at all. Once your spinal decompression session is over, you'll probably be able to drive yourself home from our office.
One of the least talked about issues with back pain medications is that they only treat the pain, not the underlying causes. For many patients, relying on meds to relieve back pain fosters dependency on pain pills. Pain pill addiction is a very serious issue in the U.S., often leading patients down a dark path. With spinal decompression, you won't have to worry about taking pills for pain relief. That's because the root causes of your back pain are addressed, not just the symptoms.
If you were to look at the cost of surgery and subsequent years of prescription medication, you might be shocked. When compared to spinal decompression, surgery is a much more expensive treatment to consider. You've got to take the cost of surgery into account, but also the fact that you'll be forced to take time off work. By choosing spinal decompression therapy, you're choosing a safe, non-surgical treatment that doesn't require any time off work.
Spinal decompression relieves pressure on disrupted discs, causing them to retract back into place. This revolutionary treatment also lets oxygen, fluids, and nutrients re-enter your spinal discs, which provides additional healing.
By now, you probably have a better idea of how spinal decompression can help rid your life of back pain. But spinal decompression treatment does more than help with bulging discs, herniated discs, arthritis, and more. It has also been shown to provide patients with important quality-of-life benefits.
As mentioned above, harsh surgeries leave you bedridden and unable to work for long periods of time. Spinal decompression allows you to jump right back into the workforce, so you can continue providing for your family. Plus, reducing your back pain naturally increases your mobility since you won't be stressing about hurting yourself while moving. Instead, you'll be living in the moment.
One of the worst symptoms affecting people with back pain is the inability to sleep well. Sleeping with back pain can be horrible, causing you to toss and turn to find a comfortable spot. As soon as you find one and get settled, your back starts to hurt again. It's a vicious cycle, but adjusting your spine and relieving pressure with spinal decompression will help you get a good night's rest.
Did you know that when your spine is decompressed, it helps fluids circulate throughout your body? These fluids actually flush your lymphatic system, which helps support your overall immune system. Better circulation also benefits your brain and can help boost concentration and memory. The improved circulation from spinal decompression may also distribute oxygen and nutrients to your skin, creating a multi-benefit effect.
We are happy to answer your questions, and help you find the services you need. Please message us to get started.
At Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine, we practice an integrated approach to pain relief and chiropractic care. Our goal is to restore your spine to its proper alignment, which speeds up your recovery time and prevents additional injuries. If chronic back pain has taken over your life, it's time to visit our chiropractic office for a thorough evaluation.
Ask yourself this: Have you been suffering from headaches and sleepless nights due to muscle strain? Is your ability to work and put food on the table compromised due to a pinched nerve? No amount of over-the-counter pain medication can provide a long-term fix for such an issue. Thankfully, our chiropractors have years of experience providing relief to patients just like yourself.
After a comprehensive exam, our doctor will create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your body. That way, we can address the full scope of your symptoms by correcting any root causes of your back pain.
From minor chiropractic adjustments to spinal decompression treatment, we'll find the solution that your back and body need to heal correctly. If you're ready to get back on the road to better health, we're here to help every step of the way. Contact our Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine today to get started.
A solid contingent of Charleston-area high school football players helped guide the South Carolina team to a 17-13 win over North Carolina in the 86th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, played at Spartanburg High School on Saturday afternoon.Leading the way for the South Carolina team was Wando High linebacker Mikey Rosa, who was named the defensive most valuable player after racking up seven tackles, including three tackles for loss.Berkeley head coach Jerry Brown served as the head coach for the South Carolina team. Brown p...
A solid contingent of Charleston-area high school football players helped guide the South Carolina team to a 17-13 win over North Carolina in the 86th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, played at Spartanburg High School on Saturday afternoon.
Leading the way for the South Carolina team was Wando High linebacker Mikey Rosa, who was named the defensive most valuable player after racking up seven tackles, including three tackles for loss.
Berkeley head coach Jerry Brown served as the head coach for the South Carolina team. Brown played in the Shrine Bowl in 1967 and was a South Carolina assistant in the 2000 game. He finishes with a 3-0 record in the game.
“It was fun, a great week, and the game was even better,” said Rosa, who plans to sign with The Citadel on Wednesday. “We built a good chemistry during the week and I think that was a main reason we won. One of the things Coach Brown talked about when we got here was about leaving the ego at the door. I think we all did that and came together.”
Rosa was one of four linebackers from the Charleston area to play for the Sandlappers, joining Cameron Avery (Cane Bay), Omari Jenkins (Timberland) and Christian Garland (Ashley Ridge).
Jenkins, one of the team captains for the Sandlappers, finished with five tackles, including 2½ tackles for loss. Avery had four tackles and Garland was credited with two tackles.
Fort Dorchester defensive lineman DeAndre Jones tallied four tackles with a sack and Summerville defensive back Michael Jenkins was credited with one tackle.
On offense, Woodland’s Suderian Harrison, a quarterback during the regular season, played wide receiver in the game and had one 10-yard reception. Summerville running back Marquez Spells had 12 yards rushing on three carries.
South Florence quarterback LaNorris Sellers was named the offensive most valuable player. Sellers, currently a Syracuse commit, completed 9 of 13 passes for 121 yards and rushed for 41 yards. Sellers threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Clemson commit Tyler Brown of Greenville High.
HANAHAN — Kevon Rivera had himself a season in one game against Aynor Friday night.
Rivera rushed for 264 yards and scored five touchdowns to lead Hanahan past Aynor by 41-16 in the opening round of the Class AAA playoffs on Nov. 3 at Wiley Knight Stadium.
The Hawks (7-4) will face Gilbert, a 49-12 winner over Darlington, in the second round of the playoffs on Nov. 10 at Hanahan High School.
Rivera, a four-year varsity starter, surpassed the 2,000-yard mark for the season and eclipsed the 5,000-yard career plateau with his performance against the Blue Jackets.
The 5-10, 220-pound senior scored on runs of 1, 2, 3, 6, and 41 yards. He had a 51-yard TD run called back on a holding penalty.
“We’ve got a great offensive line, I can’t do anything without them,” said Rivera, a four-year varsity starter for the Hawks. “When it was time for me to go up the gaps, I hit them and when I got on the perimeter the wide receivers blocked their butts off. They made my job really easy tonight.”
Rivera did most of his damage between the tackles, but ran over, through, around and past the Blue Jackets on just 18 rushing attempts.
“Aynor eats a lot of the clock, so they limit your possessions and they limited his touches tonight,” said first-year Hanahan coach Milan Turner. “Really proud of his effort, the offensive line continues to do a great job. He’s tough to bring down, strong and a hard runner.
“He has the ability as big and strong as he is to make cuts and make people miss. He’s elusive and that’s rare for a big running back.”
It took the Hawks defense a couple of possessions to get accustomed to the Blue Jackets single-wing offense.
“It’s a tough offense to prepare for,” Turner said. “There’s a lot of double tight end stuff, unbalanced lines and they run it right at you. They will nickel-and-dime you to death and that makes it tough on your offense because they have the ball for so long.
MOUNT PLEASANT — Wando High School principal Kim Wilson was a man of his word.When the final seconds ticked off the clock at Robert E. Hayes Field, Wilson made his way to midfield to honor a bet he had made with Lucy Beckham principal Anna Dassing.The losing team’s principal would have to kiss Little Billy the Goat.The Bengals (2-0) used a suffocating defense and Jack Weil kicked two field goals to lead Lucy Beckham past Wando (0-1), 8-6, in the first varsity football matchup between the two Mount Pleasant sc...
MOUNT PLEASANT — Wando High School principal Kim Wilson was a man of his word.
When the final seconds ticked off the clock at Robert E. Hayes Field, Wilson made his way to midfield to honor a bet he had made with Lucy Beckham principal Anna Dassing.
The losing team’s principal would have to kiss Little Billy the Goat.
The Bengals (2-0) used a suffocating defense and Jack Weil kicked two field goals to lead Lucy Beckham past Wando (0-1), 8-6, in the first varsity football matchup between the two Mount Pleasant schools Friday night before a standing-room-only crowd of nearly 10,000 at District 2 Stadium.
When Wilson laid the big smooch on the Little Billy, the Bengal players, who had gathered to watch, erupted and the celebration was on.
“We’ve had a lot of school spirit all week long as I’m sure Lucy did as well,” Wilson said. “It’s the start of a tradition between Lucy Beckham and Wando and what a great atmosphere tonight. I just wish I didn’t have to kiss the goat.”
The historic significance of the Bengals victory wasn’t lost on Lucy Beckham head coach Jamel Smith, who had served as an assistant coach at Wando for eight years before moving to start the football program three years ago.
“It means a lot to our school, to our kids and our community,” Smith said. “Hopefully we won some fans over in Mount Pleasant. I’m just so proud of the way we hung in there and fought to the very, very end. This is what we’ve been working for since we started the program, to win games like this. Sometimes it’s not always pretty, but if you keep going until the end good things will happen.”
Neither team was able to generate much of an offense.
The Warriors managed just over 200 yards of total offense, while the Bengals had 178 yards of offense.
“The defense was great, that’s the talent I know we’ve got on this defense,” Smith said. “We just have to apply that each and every play.”
HANAHAN — Kevon Rivera had himself a season in one game against Aynor Friday night.
Rivera rushed for 264 yards and scored five touchdowns to lead Hanahan past Aynor by 41-16 in the opening round of the Class AAA playoffs on Nov. 3 at Wiley Knight Stadium.
The Hawks (7-4) will face Gilbert, a 49-12 winner over Darlington, in the second round of the playoffs on Nov. 10 at Hanahan High School.
Rivera, a four-year varsity starter, surpassed the 2,000-yard mark for the season and eclipsed the 5,000-yard career plateau with his performance against the Blue Jackets.
The 5-10, 220-pound senior scored on runs of 1, 2, 3, 6, and 41 yards. He had a 51-yard TD run called back on a holding penalty.
“We’ve got a great offensive line, I can’t do anything without them,” said Rivera, a four-year varsity starter for the Hawks. “When it was time for me to go up the gaps, I hit them and when I got on the perimeter the wide receivers blocked their butts off. They made my job really easy tonight.”
Rivera did most of his damage between the tackles, but ran over, through, around and past the Blue Jackets on just 18 rushing attempts.
“Aynor eats a lot of the clock, so they limit your possessions and they limited his touches tonight,” said first-year Hanahan coach Milan Turner. “Really proud of his effort, the offensive line continues to do a great job. He’s tough to bring down, strong and a hard runner.
“He has the ability as big and strong as he is to make cuts and make people miss. He’s elusive and that’s rare for a big running back.”
It took the Hawks defense a couple of possessions to get accustomed to the Blue Jackets single-wing offense.
“It’s a tough offense to prepare for,” Turner said. “There’s a lot of double tight end stuff, unbalanced lines and they run it right at you. They will nickel-and-dime you to death and that makes it tough on your offense because they have the ball for so long.
The late Bill Noonan was among the first to notice something special about Kevin Brown.Former Wando High School coach Jimmy Noonan brought his dad in to help coach the Warriors’ running backs in 2014, and the old man couldn’t stop raving about this one young player.“He’d always talk about Kevin Brown, Kevin Brown, Kevin Brown,” said Jimmy Noonan, now the coach at Georgetown High School. “He said, ‘The kid has something special to him.’“He was a little small, just an u...
The late Bill Noonan was among the first to notice something special about Kevin Brown.
Former Wando High School coach Jimmy Noonan brought his dad in to help coach the Warriors’ running backs in 2014, and the old man couldn’t stop raving about this one young player.
“He’d always talk about Kevin Brown, Kevin Brown, Kevin Brown,” said Jimmy Noonan, now the coach at Georgetown High School. “He said, ‘The kid has something special to him.’
“He was a little small, just an undersized kid at that time. But he just had an innate desire to be successful in the sport.”
That desire, along with some speed and skill, has carried the 5-9, 205-pound Brown a long way since he played middle school football for Moultrie and Laing in Mount Pleasant.
He was named an FCS All-American this season to cap off a stellar career at Incarnate Word, a private school of about 9,300 students in San Antonio, Texas. The Cardinals went 10-3 this season, won the Southland Conference title and advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs.
A lot of that success was due to the play of Brown, who rushed for 956 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. In six games last spring, he averaged an NCAA-best 10.5 yards per carry, and finished a three-year career with 2,451 yards and 20 TDs in 31 games, averaging a remarkable 6.9 yards per rush.
He can also catch the ball, with 31 receptions for 312 yards and two TDs last season.
“Not enough can be said about what Kevin Brown brings to the table on and off the field,” former Incarnate Word coach Eric Morris said last spring. “He is a phenomenal person, player and teammate.
“He is a threat to take the ball to the house anytime he touches the ball whether it is a handoff or a catch. I’m so proud of the way Kevin comes to work every day.”
That work ethic dates back to at least Brown’s years at Wando, where he played on teams with future South Carolina Gamecocks in quarterback Bailey Hart and receiver OrTre Smith.
HANAHAN — Kevon Rivera had himself a season in one game against Aynor Friday night.
Rivera rushed for 264 yards and scored five touchdowns to lead Hanahan past Aynor by 41-16 in the opening round of the Class AAA playoffs on Nov. 3 at Wiley Knight Stadium.
The Hawks (7-4) will face Gilbert, a 49-12 winner over Darlington, in the second round of the playoffs on Nov. 10 at Hanahan High School.
Rivera, a four-year varsity starter, surpassed the 2,000-yard mark for the season and eclipsed the 5,000-yard career plateau with his performance against the Blue Jackets.
The 5-10, 220-pound senior scored on runs of 1, 2, 3, 6, and 41 yards. He had a 51-yard TD run called back on a holding penalty.
“We’ve got a great offensive line, I can’t do anything without them,” said Rivera, a four-year varsity starter for the Hawks. “When it was time for me to go up the gaps, I hit them and when I got on the perimeter the wide receivers blocked their butts off. They made my job really easy tonight.”
Rivera did most of his damage between the tackles, but ran over, through, around and past the Blue Jackets on just 18 rushing attempts.
“Aynor eats a lot of the clock, so they limit your possessions and they limited his touches tonight,” said first-year Hanahan coach Milan Turner. “Really proud of his effort, the offensive line continues to do a great job. He’s tough to bring down, strong and a hard runner.
“He has the ability as big and strong as he is to make cuts and make people miss. He’s elusive and that’s rare for a big running back.”
It took the Hawks defense a couple of possessions to get accustomed to the Blue Jackets single-wing offense.
“It’s a tough offense to prepare for,” Turner said. “There’s a lot of double tight end stuff, unbalanced lines and they run it right at you. They will nickel-and-dime you to death and that makes it tough on your offense because they have the ball for so long.
Thirteen athletes from across eight sports signed their letters of intent to play at the collegiate level at a signing day ceremony at Wando High School on April 26.The Class of 2023 students will be attending universities in and outside of South Carolina. Six athletes signed to Division I schools.“There certainly has been a lot of hard work by these young student athletes,” said Wando Athletic Director Mark Buchman. “This is certainly a very exciting time. To have an opportunity to move to the next level, not...
Thirteen athletes from across eight sports signed their letters of intent to play at the collegiate level at a signing day ceremony at Wando High School on April 26.
The Class of 2023 students will be attending universities in and outside of South Carolina. Six athletes signed to Division I schools.
“There certainly has been a lot of hard work by these young student athletes,” said Wando Athletic Director Mark Buchman. “This is certainly a very exciting time. To have an opportunity to move to the next level, not many athletes get that chance.”
With the click of a pen and the situating of a branded cap on the head, the student athletes committed to their schools. Several of those athletes earned a double shout-out from the coaches who took turns at the podium highlighting their players. A handful of the athletes found the time to excel in not just one, but two sports during their high school careers.
“We’re talking about kids that go 365, 24/7 and that’s really rare to find these days,” said Wando Volleyball Coach Alexis Glover.
Girls basketball forward Taylor Brown signed with Division III school the University of Lynchburg.
Boys cross country runners Brendan Gomez and Tanner Jelliff signed with the University of Tennessee and Charleston Southern University, respectively. Both are Division I schools. Gomez and Jelliff also run on Wando’s track and field team.
Two more track and field runners signed with Division I schools. Hannah Togami is heading to the University of South Carolina and Jack Scott to the Citadel. Scott also played as a defensive back on the football team.
Running back AJ Gathers signed to play football for Brevard College in North Carolina. Gathers served as a team captain in his senior year.
For volleyball, setter Reece Campbell is heading to Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Opposite hitter Emma Sanders signed with Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts. Togami also played on the volleyball team as an outside hitter.
Wrestler Pierce Carpenter-Kydd will be joining Scott among the ranks of the Citadel cadets, though he signed with the Bulldogs wrestling team. Fellow wrestler Jacob Pelbath signed with Liberty University.
Boys soccer player Johnathan Coleman signed to Division II school Anderson University. His teammate Stokes McConnell signed with The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Girls soccer midfielder Lennon Leithauser signed with The City College of New York.
“We, as an athletic partner, are extremely proud of you and I’m sure your parents, all the supporters that are in the crowd, your friends, family members are super proud,” said girls soccer coach Shannon Champ.
MOUNT PLEASANT — A year ago, Lucy Beckham quarterback Chalmers Ballard admitted he was a little nervous when the Bengals faced crosstown rivals Wando in front of 10,000 fans.The junior quarterback had no such jitters this year.Chalmers threw for 147 yards and two touchdowns and running back Stephen Segars rushed for 112 yards and added two more TDs as Lucy Beckham routed Wando, 43-0, on Aug. 25 before a standing-room-only crowd at District 2 Stadium.The Bengals, who are playing in just their second varsity season, ...
MOUNT PLEASANT — A year ago, Lucy Beckham quarterback Chalmers Ballard admitted he was a little nervous when the Bengals faced crosstown rivals Wando in front of 10,000 fans.
The junior quarterback had no such jitters this year.
Chalmers threw for 147 yards and two touchdowns and running back Stephen Segars rushed for 112 yards and added two more TDs as Lucy Beckham routed Wando, 43-0, on Aug. 25 before a standing-room-only crowd at District 2 Stadium.
The Bengals, who are playing in just their second varsity season, have beaten Wando both times the schools have faced each other. Lucy Beckham edged the Warriors, 8-6, a season ago in the first varsity matchup between the two schools.
Unlike the game last season, which featured two stingy defenses and little offense, the Class AAAA Bengals moved the ball at will against the AAAAA Warriors, scoring on five straight offensive possession in the first half.
“I didn’t do this all by myself, I had a lot of help from all of my teammates,” said Chalmers, who completed 13 of 19 passes on the night. “They’ve put in so much work in the offseason and we just get on the field and did the things that we’ve been practicing for the past four months.
“I think the final score shows that Beckham is here and we can play. We’ve worked so hard and it’s great to see it pay off with this kind of result.”
As good as the Bengals offense was, the defense was even better. The Bengals, under former The Citadel defensive coordinator Tony Grantham, limited the Warriors to less than 100 yards of total offense and only 26 rushing yards.
“We are a relentless defense,” said Lucy Beckham coach Jamel Smith, who used to be the defensive coordinator Wando. “We always preach finish plays, finish tackles, don’t assume that someone else is going to make that tackle. We swarm to the football and it showed tonight. They kids have bought into what we are doing.”
Keeping with tradition that started last year, the losing principal had to kiss “Billy the Goat” at midfield after the game was over.
HANAHAN — Kevon Rivera had himself a season in one game against Aynor Friday night.
Rivera rushed for 264 yards and scored five touchdowns to lead Hanahan past Aynor by 41-16 in the opening round of the Class AAA playoffs on Nov. 3 at Wiley Knight Stadium.
The Hawks (7-4) will face Gilbert, a 49-12 winner over Darlington, in the second round of the playoffs on Nov. 10 at Hanahan High School.
Rivera, a four-year varsity starter, surpassed the 2,000-yard mark for the season and eclipsed the 5,000-yard career plateau with his performance against the Blue Jackets.
The 5-10, 220-pound senior scored on runs of 1, 2, 3, 6, and 41 yards. He had a 51-yard TD run called back on a holding penalty.
“We’ve got a great offensive line, I can’t do anything without them,” said Rivera, a four-year varsity starter for the Hawks. “When it was time for me to go up the gaps, I hit them and when I got on the perimeter the wide receivers blocked their butts off. They made my job really easy tonight.”
Rivera did most of his damage between the tackles, but ran over, through, around and past the Blue Jackets on just 18 rushing attempts.
“Aynor eats a lot of the clock, so they limit your possessions and they limited his touches tonight,” said first-year Hanahan coach Milan Turner. “Really proud of his effort, the offensive line continues to do a great job. He’s tough to bring down, strong and a hard runner.
“He has the ability as big and strong as he is to make cuts and make people miss. He’s elusive and that’s rare for a big running back.”
It took the Hawks defense a couple of possessions to get accustomed to the Blue Jackets single-wing offense.
“It’s a tough offense to prepare for,” Turner said. “There’s a lot of double tight end stuff, unbalanced lines and they run it right at you. They will nickel-and-dime you to death and that makes it tough on your offense because they have the ball for so long.