Wando remains undefeated in South Carolina after beating one of their chief rivals, Chapin, 47-0, and then defeated a Canadian touring team 21-17.

The 21-17 scoreline was notable because Wando actually gave up some points - albeit once they'd run in the subs. It was 21-0 at halftime. In fact, the only points Wando has allowed have been in non-league games. In league play, Wando is 5-0 and has outscored opponents 188-0.

Against Chapin, Jon Cummins and Chris Baltimore both scored two tries, while Thomas Glasson, Chris Tuchbarber, and Joe Schmidt each scored one. But it's been a real team effort, especially on defense (naturally). 

"At the beginning of the year I wasn't sure what we had - I knew we were pretty young," said Coach Tod Shepherd. "But they learned how to ruck and tackle, and that was a big part of it. You never know a kid will turn out, but we've had some kids really come along."

Shepherd stresses tackling, imprinting on the players the need to make your one-on-one tackles. The urgency in the defense has led to five straight league shutouts.

Offensively, they are able, too. Cummins remains one of their go-to scorers, but there are others. Sophomore lock Arthurd Doyle, at 6-4 is an imposing presence. Thomas Glasson is a wing who can fly and at the same time he is powerfully-built and handles contact well. Against Chapin he scored on a 70-meter run during which he powered through four tacklers. 

So now Wando is on a collision course with South Greenville. The defending champs are also 5-0 in league play, and, like Wando, had shut out every opponent ... that is until they faced Irmo and won 36-20. Their points for and against are still comparable to that of Wando - 203-20. 

"South Greenville are big, fast, and strong," said Shepherd. 

But Wando will remember the wet, slow state final last year, when their open running was somewhat stymied. They will welcome another shot at South Greenville, and they're playing like it.

Wando wins a lineout against Chapin. Jack Strobel photo.