South Pointe whips South Florence 35-14 for 4-A state championship

South Florence seeks its second straight crown and third in four years

Westside (13-0) played South Florence (11-3) for the AAAA high school football championships. The game was played at South Carolina State's Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg on Dec. 13, 2024. / ALEX HICKS JR./STAFF / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Quarterback J'Zavien Currence and R.J. Brown each ran for two touchdowns as South Pointe swept to a 35-14 victory over defending champion South Florence to win the SCHSL 4-A state championship.

Kadin Watlkins led the defense with two interceptions, including a 17-yard pick six early in the third quarter that made it 28-0.

South Pointe, winning the eighth state title in program history, ended the season with a 14-1 record.

South Florence wound up with a 13-2 record.

Preview

This is a battle of powerhouses, with both teams sporting 13-1 records. South Florence's only loss was to 5-A Division 2 finalist Northwestern. The only loss for the Stallions was a 14-10 decision in the season-opener to undefeated North Carolina power Hough.

Both teams lean heavily on their dual-threat quarterback.

South Florence quarterback Messiah Jackson has thrown for 1,628 yards and 22 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. Jackson has 660 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground.

South Pointe quarterback Currence, who just signed with South Carolina as a safety, has posted spectacular numbers. Currence has thrown for 2,764 yards with 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder has 1,497 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing.

Running back Cameron James has 1,434 yards and 16 touchdowns for South Florence. The top receiver is JayAun Perkins, who has 53 catches for 947 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Leading the South Florence defense are lineabacker Terry Gordon with 15 sacks and defensive back Amare Reaves with eight interceptions.

The Stallions boast a 1,000-yard running back in R.J. Brown. Malik Ratliff and Dailan Duncan are the top receivers.

Currence does his part on defense, too, with 4 interceptions and 23 pass breakups. Linebacker/edge Brysen Ginn has 10.5 sacks.

South Pointe dominated its four playoff opponents by a combined 208-27.

South Florence was equally dominant. Its closest playoff game was a 49-14 trouncing of North Augusta in the second round.

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Live Updates

(Refresh this page repeated for live updates once the game kicks-off)

	1	2	3	4	F
South Florence	0	0	14	0	0
South Pointe	7	14	7	7	0

1st Quarter

-South Florence kicking off to South Pointe.

R.J. Brown rips off a 20-yard run.

South Pointe moves into South Florence territory, Two more big runs by Brown.

TOUCHDOWN! QB J'Zavien Currence scrambles 12 yards for a touchdown. South Pointe leads 7-0 with 8:04 left in the first quarter. Nine plays, 80 yards.

South Florence starts at the 23 after the kickoff.

Big run by QB Messiah Jackson - 30 yards.

Jackson sacked. 4th and 12.

TImeout South Florence.

Bruins punt, SP takes over at the 13.

Currence sacked on third down. Holding on SP declined. Nice defensive stand. SP punts.

SF takes ovet at the SP 42.

Long pass intercepted in the end zone by C.J. Wherry.

Currence runs for a first down as the first quarter ends.

2nd Quarter

-TOUCHDOWN! Brown gets to the outside and races 53 yards to paydirt. South Pointe leads 14-0 with 11:39 left in the first half.

SF takes over at the 23 following the kickoff.

Two big penalties fuel an SF drive into SP territory, Timeout SP.

INTERCEPTION! Kadin Watkins jumps the slant route.

Two big runs by Brown. Stallions driving again.

Bad snap on third down snuffs the SP drive. Stallions to punt.

SP defense forces a three-and-out.

Huge run by Currence, 39 yards into SF territory.

Currence scrambles for a first down inside the 20.

TOUCHDOWN! Currence runs 10 yards on the keeper. South Pointe leads 21-0 with 1:31 remainining in the first half.

HALFTIME

3rd Quarter

-South Pointe kicks off.

TOUCHDOWN! Watkins with the interception on the deflection, 17-yard pick six. South Pointe grows to 28-0.

TOUCHDOWN! Jackson wth the TD on an 11-yard keeper. Set up by a South Pointe fumble. SP leads 28-7 with 2:59 left in the third quarter.

Bad snap! South Florence recovers in the South Pointe red zone.

TOUCHDOWN! South Pointe lead down to 28-14.

Third quarter ends.

4th Quarter

-South Pointe leads 28-14 with 8:52 to go.

Currence pushes ahead for a first down on fourth-and-three near midfield.

Big third-and-13 completion to Dailan Duncan.

Brown rumbles 29 yards to the 1.

TOUCHDOWN! Brown takes it in. 35-14 with 4:54 left.

Jackson sacked on fourth and 19.

FINAL