Moving the second-round home playoff game did not spare Gilbert High School football from bad weather on Nov. 12.

Minutes after kickoff against Manning, a storm swooped over Leonard Price Field. The incessant rainfall varied in strength as it persisted for over 90 minutes.

By the time the weather had cleared, the host team had the game already in hand. The Indians defeated the Monarchs 42-14 to advance to the third round of the Class 3A Lower State playoffs.

"Yes, it was tough," said Gilbert head coach Chad Leaphart, who moved within a victory of tying Marty Woolbright's school record for career wins (68). "We really thought we were going to be having great weather and then, all of a sudden, it was right about kickoff. It just started pouring rain and we ended up...I thought we were dodging the rain from yesterday and we played in the monsoon tonight it felt like.

"But our guys didn't let that bother then. Didn't let the elements bother them. Didn't let playing on Saturday bother them. They came out here focused and dialed in and jumped on Manning from the start. Great first half. Really taking care of business right there and then grinding it out the rest of the way."

The Indians (10-2) jumped out to a 28-0 lead. The hyphenated backfield duo of Jaden Allen-Hendrix and Alias Graham-Woodberry once again carried the offense as each scored two touchdowns.

Graham-Woodberry finished with 142 yards and Allen-Hendrix added 129.  Former starting quarterback Chance Jennings also scored two touchdowns, receiving, and rushing, as he continues to thrive in his versatile role, according to Leaphart.

"When we made that move (replacing Jennings at quarterback with Drake Braddock), all the different things he can do in the offense now, we can use him to get creative and do some different things," Leaphart said. "He can make plays at receiver. We can bring him in the backfield, running jet sweeps. He's a double pass threat, bringing him back at quarterback running some plays. So, he's definitely bringing a lot to us with that role."

The loss spoiled the return to Chronicle Country for head coach Reggie Kennedy. Even before falling behind 28-8 amid the rainfall, the former Irmo High School head coach and athletics director knew his team faced an uphill battle in "Gilbert America".

"It's been a rough week," he said. "We had to deal with a lot of injuries this week, especially our quarterback (Justin Daniel). He had a shoulder injury. He couldn’t throw the ball, so we were kind of handcuffed there. We had about 4-5 guys out with the flu this week.

"We tried to overcome a lot tonight besides (Gilbert) getting off to a good start. They came out ready to play. We dug ourselves in a deep hole early, kind of hard to bounce back without being able to throw the football."

The special teams play of Jeffrey Caesar was the lone bright spot for Manning as his two kickoff returns were responsible for the Monarch's points. The first one for 50 yards set up a two-yard touchdown and two-point conversion run by Jalen Coard and the other was a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Manning's final drive ended with a goal line stand by Gilbert at the two-yard line with less than two minutes left. Landon Browning led the defense with 10 tackles.

Despite the loss, Kennedy is positive about the program's direction.

"We've made a lot of progress over the past four years," he said. "Going 9-3, advancing to the second-round of the playoffs, making a lot of progress. We've got a lot of good pieces coming back and we had an outstanding feeder program this past year. So, I think better days are right around the corner."

Up next for Gilbert is a third-round road game at Beaufort Nov. 18. The winner faces either Dillon or Camden in the Lower State final Nov. 25.

James Island 24, Irmo 22

A field goal in the final seconds by the Trojans ended the season for the Yellow Jackets (7-5).

Erick Tucker rushed for three touchdowns in the loss. 

Summerville 35, Lexington 13 

The Wildcats finished the season with a 9-3 record. 

Dillon 35, Brookland-Cayce 21