Adjustments saved day for Aiken offense

For a quarter and a half, Aiken's powerful wing-T offense was completely shut down by a smaller South Aiken defense last week. The Thoroughbreds, playing their season opener in front of an energetic home crowd, stuffed Aiken and allowed only 11 yards of offense in the Hornets' first four possession.

"It was very frustrating," Aiken senior lineman Drew Fairchild said. "They set up in a 2-1 technique, and we were pulling a guard, and when that happens it leaves gaps. We didn't know what was going on at first, but we made some adjustments."

Aiken ended up winning 27-17. The Hornets will face another challenging defense Friday when they travel to Silver Bluff. The past three games between the schools have been determined by an average of less than a touchdown.

MUSTANG PRIDE: Midland Valley coach Rick Knight will be honored before Friday's home game against Mid-Carolina. Athletic director Michelle Yeater said the school will recognize Knight for being named an assistant coach at the 2009 Shrine Bowl, an all-star game between North Carolina and South Carolina held after the season. Yeater said the pregame ceremony will begin at 7:15 p.m.

RECRUITING: North Augusta coach Dan Pippin has some advice for colleges who want to recruit some of his top players: Get involved early.

A prime example is Matt Hazel . He has scholarship offers from Western Michigan and Liberty, and he said East Carolina, N.C. State and South Carolina are showing interest.

"What happens is that colleges in South Carolina will come in on them late and will be mad when they don't go there," Pippin said of Hazel and a few other of his players.

Pippin saw it happen when he was at South Aiken a few years ago and Dekoda Watson wound up going out of state.

"He went to Florida State because (the South Carolina schools) came in on him late," Pippin said. "The same thing's going to happen with Matt and all those kids. Western Michigan is 16 hours away."

Heads up: A North Augusta graduate turned stunt pilot will perform a pregame fly-over at the Yellow Jackets' home opener Friday. Greg Connell , Class of 1984, will fly his red-and-white-striped Pitts S-2B over the stadium to help kickoff the home schedule.

LET ME HOLD A DOLLAR: Ticket prices at Silver Bluff games rose this year by one dollar, and the new pricing will take effect at Friday's home opener against Aiken. Coach Al Lown said advance tickets will be sold Thursday and Friday during lunch at the school for $5, but a ticket at the gate Friday night will cost $6. Sports editor John Boyette and staff writer Lisa Kaylor contributed to this report.