South Carolina’s Wando viewed themselves as perhaps one of the top 20 teams in the country last year, perhaps better. 

Micah Stewart goes in for a try for Wando against Chapin. Jack Strobel photo.

Good with the ball, South Greenville also takes pride in a strong defense.

This year, they were more of a question-mark, but have answered those questions and more, going 8-0 in league and playoff competition, and outscoring opposition 405-22. Wando won their quarterfinal last week 65-0 over Aiken, with center pairing Jon Cummins and Micah Stewart scoring seven tries between them. Hooker Jake Morris scored two and fullback Chris Baltimore scored one. But it was as much about managing the defensive line and the field position. Aiken made it into the Wando 22 only once.

In the semi the next day, Wando took on Chapin, 6-1-1 in Midlands Division play, and shut them out 28-0.

Stewart, Cummins, and Baltimore all scored again, while Charlie van Vliet added three penalties and two conversions.

Now they have to face South Greenville, which Has four players who were on the field against Wando for Greenville HS in last year’s final.

South Greenville doesn’t give up many points, either, with a record of 9-0 and 337 points for and only 21 against. Of the three tries they gave up all season, two were scored by Chapin. Scrumhalf Jackson Clark and center Alston Burton played especially well over the quarterfinal win against Bishop England and the semifinal victory over Irmo. And South Greenville’s ace is likely their 6-4 flyhalf, Hoppolyte Houette, who moved to Greenville from France. His experience and skill set have been a huge boon to the club.

How the teams keep scores down differ. South Greenville plays tough defense and works to turn the ball over. Wando controls possession and is very quick to the breakdown on offense.

“This is going to be great,” said South Greenville Coach Phil Weston. “It’s an interesting clash of approaches, and we’ll see which works.”

Burton and his midfield partner Grant Weston will have plenty of work to do to rein in the Wando midfield of Cummins and Stewart. That is likely the key matchup of the day. 

“South Greenville is a incredibly talented team,” said Wando Coach Tod Shepherd. “They are scary good. Their backline is large and really fast.”

The teams kick off Saturday at 4pm at Cario Middle School in Mt. Pleasant, SC.