Brookland-Cayce head football coach Rusty Charpia is optimistic as his team looks ahead to the rest of the season.

“I think we could be peaking at the right time,” he said.

The Bearcats are coming off of a 41-14 win over North Augusta in their Region 4-4A opener.

All 3 losses suffered by Brookland-Cayce (3-3, 1-0) were to Class 5A programs. It also has a non-region win over defending Region 4-4A champion Airport and the 2 teams meet in the Nov. 1 regular-season finale.

Charpia said Brookland-Cayce has made the transition from the graduation loss of record-setting quarterback and his son Reed Charpia.

“We have a couple of sophomores we’re platooning at quarterback,” he said.

Peyton Whitten and Skylar King have been able to fill the quarterback role after Malachi Brown went down with a groin injury. Charpia said Brown is back and playing defensive back and wide receiver.

Running backs Will Way and Deontay Baker have carried much of the load on the Bearcat offense.

“Will Way is as good as any running back I’ve ever seen,” Charpia said. “He’s as good as any in the state. Baker is real good, too.

Wide receivers Jordan Wise, Latrell Jamison and Keyon Middleton have also been a strength of the team. Charpia added his offensive line is as good as he’s had since he’s been at Brookland-Cayce.

The Bearcat defense with linebackers Hampton Stutler and K.J. Blakmon, and linemen Damani Jones, London Tillmon, and Tony Glenn are all playing well. The kicking game has been good, too.

Charpia said he feels his team can challenge for the region title, but he is cautious. He wants to be prepared for Friday’s opponent South Aiken this year because it could be important for a post-season position.

“We lost to South Aiken last year,” Charpia said. “We want to be in position to win it.”

The game can be heard online at www.thedove1620.com .