Timberland dominating both sides of the ball

The Timberland football team has been the most dominating squad in the state this season, thanks to a wealth of talent on both sides of the ball.

The Wolves have scored 247 points en route to a 5-0 start. Their 49.4 scoring average puts them second in the state behind South Pointe. South Pointe has scored 210 points in four games for 52.5 points per game.

But you win with defense, and that's where the Wolves are even more impressive. They gave up a third-quarter touchdown to Woodland in the season opener and a touchdown to North Charleston last week. The Cougars got on the scoreboard with two minutes left in the lopsided game. The Wolves are surrendering only 2.8 points a game, which is tops in the state. South Pointe, Strom Thurmond and Carvers Bay are tied for second in scoring defense, allowing only 4.8 points per game.

Craig expected the defense to be strong. He is surprised that the offense has been so productive.

No offensive starter has played in the fourth quarter of the last two games, and the offense has scored on 25 of its last 26 possessions. That's impressive no matter whom you play.

"We knew we had some starters back," said Craig, whose team is off this week. "The defense has given us some short fields and scoring opportunities."

The defense has been giving opponents fits. The Wolves have allowed only 161 yards per game, and they spend a lot of time in the opponents' backfield.

Kaleb Caddell and Aldrick Fordhman both have eight tackles for a loss and seven sacks, while Oscar Moultrie has eight tackles for a loss. Ronnie Prioleau also has been impressive, recording 34 tackles, including seven for a loss.

Timberland will begin Region 7-AA play next week with a road trip to Andrews.

"This is a good week for us to be off," Craig said. "We're sort of self-scouting ourselves this week and we've seen some things we need to work on. We can get better from a fundamentals standpoint."

Retirement party

A.J. Green will be the first player in Summerville football history to have his number retired when the school holds a ceremony to honor him Oct. 3 when the Green Wave plays West Ashley.

Last spring, coach John McKissick approached school officials about retiring Green's number and they agreed.

"I even asked former players when I saw them on the street, and no one disagreed," McKiss- ick said in an interview. "Everyone I talked to thinks it is a good thing to do."

The Bulldogs are off next weekend, and Georgia coach Mark Richt will allow Green to return home for the weekend.

Green is one of the greatest players in South Carolina football history and finished his career No. 2 on the all-time national list with 5,373 career receiving yards. He is fourth all-time with 279 career catches and 62 career touchdown receptions.

Reach Philip M. Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier.com or at 937-5592.