Timberland is looking ahead

Timberland football coach Art Craig hopes his team keeps the Muhler Sertoma Classic in perspective.

The Wolves play county rival Berkeley on Thursday at The Citadel's Johnson Hagood Stadium. It's a rivalry, but not a real game that counts in the standings.

"It is important because it's Berkeley, and it's important because it's Sertoma," Craig said. "But we have a regular season game against Carolina Forest on Saturday and in the end, that's what counts most. We're not preparing for Berkeley. We're preparing for Carolina Forest.

Last year, Timberland played Summerville in Sertoma and might have got caught up in all the hoopla. The Wolves played Providence Christian two days later to kick off the regular season, and dropped a 17-15 decision. Penalties killed the Wolves, who had a touchdown called back because of a violation.

The Wolves, who went 9-3 last year, drop to Class AA this season. Many pundits pick the Wolves to win the state title. But Craig, who led the Wolves to the Class AAA state title game two years ago, knows that task will be even more difficult.

"No disrespect to Class AAA, but I think, top to bottom, that there's more parity in Class AA. In the playoffs, you have to get past the Dillons, Cheraws and Silver Bluffs, teams with rich traditions. People assume we're going to win the state championship because we dropped from AAA to AA, but I think it's the other way around."

The Wolves are talented with three big-time college prospects: lineman Quinton Washington, defensive end Aldrick Fordham and running back Rockarius King.

But the Wolves will break in a new quarterback who is no stranger to the coach: Cody Craig.

"He's worked extremely hard the past two years to get to this point," Art Craig said. "I'm enjoying it. It's not often that you get to take the quarterback home and watch film. That's what we did tonight. He gets treated pretty rough out there. He's not out there because he's my son. He's out there because he deserves it."

New staffs

Ashley Ridge and Cane Bay are the new high schools in the Lowcountry, and with news schools come new coaching staffs.

At Cane Bay, Jeff Cruce is the football coach and athletic director.

The other head coaches are Gary Christensen, boys track; Russell Zehr, boys basketball; Shane Todd, baseball; Leslie Goodman, cheerleading; Sheldon Bloomfield, boys cross country and boys soccer; Priscilla Williams, girls cross country; Yvonne Anderton, girls basketball; Susan Haynie, volleyball; Sharon Baker, softball; Greg Hall, girls track; Jennifer Koll, girls soccer; Derek Ayers, wrestling and Jay Burnsworth, boys golf.

Bobby Behr oversees athletics at Ashley Ridge.

The coaches include Davis, football; Brian Welch, boys basketball; Janet Hurley, girls basketball and volleyball; Jeff Plane, boys and girls cross country; Kenny Walker, boys golf; B.J. Bellush, baseball; Stacey Woods, wrestling; Lindsey Blackmon, softball; Garrett Walker, boys and girls swimming; Mark Weaver, girls soccer; Bill Cotton, boys and girls tennis; Nate Harris, boys soccer; Natasha Venner, cheerleading and Rachel Green, girls track.

Attention coaches

Coaches of fall sports or their representatives should call in results of games as quickly as possible to ensure they appear in the next day's edition. The numbers to call in game reports are 937-5586 or (800) 209-2609.

Results also may be e-mailed to sportsdesk@postandcourier.com.

Football statistics will run on Fridays. Stats must be called in by Wednesday at 937-5592, by fax 937-5579 or e-mail at pbowman@postandcourier.com.

Finally, nominations for football players of the week must be made by noon Monday. Call in nominations at 937-5592.

Reach Phil Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier.com