Green Wave offense kicks into high gear

GOOSE CREEK — Summerville's offense sputtered in scrimmages over the summer and was sporadic in its season- opening loss to Conway last week.

But the Wave's offense was super against the Goose Creek Gators on Thursday night. The Green Wave used big plays to grab a 38-22 victory at Gibson Stadium. Summerville had three monumental plays in the first 15 minutes of the game that accounted for 200 yards and snuffed the life out of Goose Creek's defense. Summerville rolled up 312 yards in the first half and finished with 452.

"We didn't struggle tonight," Summerville coach John McKissick said. "I was proud of the way we ran the ball, the way we threw the ball. The offensive line did a good job tonight."

The Wave improved to 1-1, as McKissick upped his career record to 557-131-7 in a game that was rescheduled from Friday because of the threat of Tropical Storm Hanna. Goose Creek fell to 0-2.

"Let's give credit Summerville," Gators coach Chuck Reedy said. "Coach McKissick and his staff had them ready to play, and I thought they played exceptionally well. We were not prepared to play, and that was my job. I accept responsibility. Our football team, that was the worst game in four or five years, and that's my fault."

McKissick's grandson, Donny McElveen, was the big gun after completing only one pass in seven attempts last week. McElveen, who transferred from Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, N.C., was 6-of-15 passing for 209 yards and a touchdown.

Super sophomore DeAngelo Henderson led the running game with 96 yards and three touchdowns on only nine carries.

"We had a good balance tonight," McKissick said. "Donny threw well and I was proud of No. 31 (Henderson). He's only a sophomore."

Henderson ripped off a 69-yard TD run on the first play of the game to give the Wave a 6-0 lead.

McElveen hooked up with junior Marlon Pryor for a 52-yard scoring pass with 6:18 left in the first quarter.

Goose Creek retaliated when Donta Brown found a wide-open William Alston for a 69-yard pass to the Summerville 11. But the Green Wave held on fourth down and took over at its own 3.

On the first play, McElveen completed a short pass to Henderson, who almost outran the entire Gator defense. But Albert Kirk knocked him out of bounds at the Gator 5. The 92-yard completion set up Henderson's 2-yard TD with 9:27 left in the first half.

Goose Creek got on the scoreboard when Kevin Glears scored on a 13-yard reverse with 4:52 left in the first half. He caught a 49-yard pass to set up Goose Creek's other score, a 5-yard run by 230-pound freshman Virgil Smalls early in the fourth quarter. Smalls also had a 14-yard TD with 2:06 left in the game.

Summerville's special teams also came up with a big play. Tyler Veronee returned a punt 85 yards for a score to make it 31-6 with 9:44 left in the third quarter.

The Gators collected 372 yards in total offense. Quarterback Brown was 7-of-15 passing for 168 yards and rushed for 63 yards.

S—DeAngelo Henderson 69 run (kick failed)

S—Marlon Pryor 59 pass from Donny McElveen (Kevin Baker pass from McElveen)

S—Henderson 2 run (Dylan Zimmerman kick)

GC—Kevin Glears 13 run (kick failed)

S—Zimmerman 37 FG

S—Tyler Veronee 85 punt return (Zimmerman kick)

S—Henderson 5 run (Zimmerman kick)

GC—Virgil Smalls 5 run (Donta Brown run)

GC—Smalls 5 run (Smalls run)

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